Introducing NMV’s 2020 Investment Portfolio

Published

By Taren Stinebrickner-Kauffman

In the categories:

NMV is thrilled to announce our 2020 portfolio, a cohort of 13 groups and leaders who will show us the path out of the unprecedented crises we face, drive change today, and lay the groundwork for progress in the years to come.

This country is at a pivotal moment. After four years of racism, misogyny, and xenophobia at the helm of the Oval Office, we can finally look ahead toward the promise of a new administration under Joe Biden. There is much to celebrate, but also many signs of danger. Trump abdicated leadership during the pandemic, causing a deep recession, hundreds of thousands of deaths, and a heightened racial justice crisis – and yet he still came within a few hundred thousand votes, in just a handful of swing states, of winning re-election. Progressives have a lot of work to do, and we must act immediately to prevent another Trump in 2024.

What the future holds depends entirely on our collective actions in the coming months and years. We find that it generally takes 3–4 years for new interventions to scale in time to have major impacts on a presidential election. Now is the time to invest in the infrastructure to build our movement, and fund new technology, tools, media, and organizing strategies so that they can be refined and scaled for 2022, 2024 and beyond.

Our 2020 portfolio includes groups developing infrastructure for the progressive movement, building Black and Indigenous power, protecting our democracy, and transforming the local media landscape. 

Some topline numbers to highlight:

  • We received a record-breaking 1400 applications for our Open Call

  • We interviewed 100 of the most promising applicants.

  • We are investing $1.2 million in 13 entrepreneurs and activists to grow their critical work. 

Here’s a look at what these amazing groups are tackling:

  • The Juggernaut, SmokeSygnals, Indiegraf, and TILA Studios use narrative and media strategies to build cultural power and win hearts and minds.

  • Project Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations; RAHEEM; Momentum; Rapid Response; and the Algorithmic Justice League develop organizing tools and tactics to advocate for equitable policy at every level of society.

  • Three Point Strategies, Climate Cabinet Action Fund, OpenField, and Deck support progressive candidates as they run for office and push for structural change.

As we predicted back in April, this unprecedented crisis is giving rise to unprecedented innovation. We know that investing in early-stage entrepreneurs is crucial to long-term success, as we’ve seen through our past investments in pivotal groups such as Swing Left, Mijente, and PushBlack. This year’s leaders are working to shift power, build movements, and spark civic engagement, and are building solutions that respond directly to our country’s oppressive institutions, policies, and culture. Join us in supporting them!

Learn more about the amazing organizations in our 2020 Investment Portfolio here: https://bit.ly/2020NMVPortfolio