What do donors expect from nonprofits? Civic education!

At M+R we have decades of experience partnering with nonprofits working to advance reproductive freedom, hunger and poverty, health care, support for arts and sciences, disaster and international aid, animal welfare, and more. We frequently use data and research, including our annual M+R Benchmarks Study, to drive our decision making.

From where we stand at M+R, this moment calls for all Americans to come together to protect the democratic process. But just because we feel that way, that doesn’t mean the audiences we are trying to reach (on behalf of our clients) agree.

That’s why we decided to ask nonprofit donors directly. A recent survey released by M+R asked 669 nonprofit donors what role they expect nonpartisan nonprofits to play in the elections.

It turns out grassroots supporters say this is a moment for leaders and respected voices of all types to speak up for shared democratic values. Here are some of the most salient findings from the survey:

Nonprofits are responsible for civic education

Seventy-one percent of donors agree that nonprofits are responsible for educating the public about the election process and speaking out if fair elections are threatened.

Majorities of respondents of all political leanings agree, including 83% of those identifying as liberals, 63% of moderates, and 65% of conservatives.

Nonprofits can educate supporters and the public about how elections work. They can also address concerns in order to instill confidence that our election process works, and to inoculate against future and existing disinformation—for instance, by explaining why the election might not be finalized until a day or two after election day.

While 501(c)(3) organizations are strictly prohibited from endorsing or opposing political candidates, they are legally allowed to actively engage in nonpartisan civic engagement. Permissible activities include conducting voter registration drives, hosting candidate forums, publishing nonpartisan voter guides, and lobbying on ballot measures. For a full list of what nonprofits can do, check out the Nonprofit Vote Permissible Election Activities Checklist.

Help people get to the polls

Eighty-three percent of donors agree that nonprofits should be helping people register and make a plan to vote.

While nonprofits can and do conduct nonprofit voter registration drives, it’s also important to make sure voters know where their polling place is and have a plan to get there. Given the redistricting that has taken place this year, many polling places may have changed, and voters may need extra civic education and support.

Protect free and fair elections

Eighty-two percent of donors agree that nonprofits should be educating the public on how they can help protect fair election processes.

Nonprofits can encourage supporters and donors themselves to help ensure a fair election process, including by volunteering as poll workers. Helping supporters and donors sign up for these crucial opportunities is another way nonprofits can engage in the elections.

Poll workers are everyday community members who undergo specialized training to help administer the in-person voting process on Election Day. These dedicated individuals work to ensure that polling locations operate smoothly, minimizing problems such as malfunctioning equipment, closed facilities, and hours-long lines that actively discourage voter turnout. Ultimately, how a poll worker welcomes, supports, and treats a voter with dignity can shape that person’s confidence in the system and determine whether they choose to vote in future elections.

Speak up for voting rights and election integrity

Seventy-seven percent of donors agree that nonprofits should be organizing people to speak up if basic voting rights or the integrity of the process is threatened.

Nonprofits can ensure that their supporters and the public know their rights, as well as how to get help if they see problems with the voting process. They can share that the 1-866-OUR-VOTE Election Protection Hotline provides comprehensive information and assistance at all stages of voting—from registration, to absentee and early voting, to casting a vote at the polls, to overcoming obstacles to their participation.

Why civic education matters

In their latest analysis, Democracy Report 2026, Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) found that the Liberal Democracy Index in the United States has fallen to its lowest level since 1965. We also know that public confidence in elections is at an all-time low.

Every nonprofit or civic organization—regardless of its specific mission—has a stake in protecting free and fair elections, the foundation of any healthy democracy. When communities cannot trust that elections are open, transparent, and accountable, every policy goal and public service effort becomes harder to achieve.

Nonprofit and civic groups can strengthen the democratic processes by helping to promote voter education, countering misinformation, supporting access to the ballot, and advocating for ethical governance. Ensuring the integrity of elections isn’t a partisan act; it’s an act of civic stewardship that safeguards the legitimacy of the sector’s collective work and the future of our shared institutions.

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