What is MVP’s grantmaking process?

To establish MVP’s overall funding strategy, we identify the geographies most in need of investment by looking at what is happening at the national, state, and local levels. We draw on in-depth political analysis and aggregated polling, coupled with the insights from our national and state advisors. We look for opportunities to amplify our impact by supporting grassroots groups that organize around issues and campaigns on the local, state, and national level.

Based on our analysis of political priorities and organizational capacity, we cluster states in tiered priorities and develop individual state-by-state investment targets. To learn more, see our State Tiers.

Within each state, grant recommendations are made by MVP’s state and fund advisors, experts in their areas who bring years of experience in local, in-state movement building and political and issue campaign work. Advisors suggest how much should go to each group after considering MVP’s state-by-state investment targets, their detailed knowledge of the state’s organizing ecosystem, and the plans and budgets submitted by individual groups.

Upon recommendation from a state advisor or fund advisor, grants are reviewed by our operations and legal teams before being moved out the door as quickly as possible.

Grantmaking at MVP is exceptionally nimble and responsive to changing conditions on the ground. We issue grants monthly, and increase frequency as an election cycle heats up. We also process rapid response and emergency grants as-needed.