Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Report
January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023
Mission Statement
democracyGPS is a non-profit and non-partisan organization developing new ways to persuade politicians to represent voters better and to pay less attention to special interests. We help voters find common ground on important issues through dynamic surveys and communicate these findings to Congress, the media, and fellow citizens.
Executive Summary
In 2023, democracyGPS established itself as new platform for democratic engagement, successfully incorporating as a 501(c)(4) organization and launching consensus-building initiatives on the critical issue of assault weapons.
Key Achievements (2023):
- Incorporated as a 501(c)(4) organization in June 2023
- Pivoted to focus on finding consensus among US voters on controversial issues
- Launched dynamic survey platform with 62 voters casting 689 votes on 59 statements
- Completed SEED SPOT Impact Accelerator program
- Initiated successful digital advertising campaigns reaching 10,400+ impressions
Financial Overview
Income Statement Summary (Jan 1, 2023 – Dec 31, 2023)
Total Revenue: $11,204
| Revenue Source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Major Gifts | $11,000 |
| Individual Donations | $204 |
| Total Income | $11,204 |
Expense Breakdown
Total Expenses: $6,577
Overhead Expenses: $5,596 (85% of total expenses)
| Category | Amount | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Legal & Professional Services | $4,345 | 66% |
| Training & Development | $1,099 | 17% |
| Other Overhead | $152 | 2% |
Program Expenses: $981 (15% of total expenses)
| Category | Amount | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Advertising & Outreach | $616 | 9% |
| Website Development | $176 | 3% |
| Cloud Computing | $113 | 2% |
| Outgoing Donations | $42 | 1% |
| Research | $35 | 1% |
Net Income (Surplus): $4,627
Financial Position (as of Dec 31, 2023)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,627 |
| Cash (Mercury Bank) | $4,627 |
| Total Liabilities | $0 |
| Net Assets | $4,627 |
Note: Program subcategories sum to $982 while the source total lists $981. This $1 difference is treated as a minor rounding/entry discrepancy.
Program Impact & Activities
Platform Development
Our innovative approach combines three key elements:
- Dynamic Surveys: Voters share and vote on ideas about important issues
- Validation: Results are verified through broader demographic sampling
- Communication: Findings are shared with politicians, media, and voters
Looking Forward: 2024 Strategic Plan
Planned Initiatives
- Complete full cycle of polling, validation, and communication for assault weapons and campaign finance surveys
- Expand outreach to college campuses (Amherst and Yale)
- Develop natural language processing tools using 300,000+ Facebook ads dataset
- Recruit additional co-founder and summer intern
- Explore 501(c)(3) formation for expanded funding opportunities
- Apply for Roddenberry Fellowship and Y-Combinator
Financial Management & Transparency
Expense Allocation Analysis:
- 85% Overhead: Primarily invested in legal foundation and organizational development
- 15% Program: Direct investment in platform development and voter outreach
The high percentage of overhead expenses reflects our startup year, with significant investment in legal incorporation and systems development. As we scale in 2024 and beyond, we anticipate a shift toward increased program expenses.
Revenue Sustainability: Current funding comes entirely from individual donations. Future funding strategies include foundation grants, corporate partnerships, and potential fee-for-service offerings.
Governance & Accountability
Legal Structure: 501(c)(4) social welfare organization
Geographic Focus: United States
Primary Activities: Voter education, consensus building, democratic engagement
Contact Information:
- Website: democracygps.org
- Phone: (877) 590-9916
- Leadership: Chris Krenn, Manuel Alan, and David A. Wishinsky
Conclusion
The 2023 period was founding year of democracyGPS, during which we successfully established legal structure, developed innovative technology platforms, and meaningfully engaged with voters. With a strong financial base and a clear strategic vision for 2024, democracyGPS is well-positioned to expand its mission of convincing politicians to work for all voters.
Our commitment remains steadfast: to find common ground among Americans and ensure that the voices of all voters are heard in our democratic process.
This report covers activities and finances for the period June 23, 2023 (the date we opened our bank account) through December 31, 2023. For questions about this report or democracyGPS activities, please contact us.