DEMOCRACY UNIVERSITY · TRAINING FOR EVERYONE
Build Power.
Defend Democracy.
Organize to Win.
Democracy University equips activists, organizers, creators, union members, local leaders, and everyday citizens with the skills to fight back.
WHAT'S COMING UP
Upcoming Trainings
Designing & Facilitating Reflective Structured Dialogue
Learn to design and facilitate constructive conversations across differences. October 14–15, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern each day, via Zoom. Intended for civic leaders, educators, nonprofit managers, and other professionals. Regular fee $795; see host for discounts and current availability.
View EventSecrets of a Successful Organizer — Online Series
Three live workshops on building participation, assembling an organizing team, and developing campaigns around workplace issues. October 26, November 2, and November 9, 7–9 p.m. Eastern each evening via Zoom. $15 covers the entire series; nobody turned away for lack of funds.
View EventFacilitation Skills: Creating Powerful and Purposeful Meetings
Develop facilitation skills for effective, purposeful group meetings in nonprofit and social justice work. October 27 and 29, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Pacific each day via Zoom. Both sessions are required; sessions are not recorded. Sliding-scale registration: $270, $450, or $585.
View EventOPEN TO ALL
The 2026 Manual Series
Twelve living training manuals built for the people who do the work of democracy.
MANUAL 01
Campaign Strategy & Planning
Read the race, define the win condition, align departments, allocate resources, and build a disciplined path to victory.
View Manual SeriesMANUAL 06
Communications, Media & Persuasion
Move from core message to final argument through storytelling, media, digital communications, research, and persuasion.
View Manual SeriesMANUAL 05
Organizing, Volunteers & Leadership Development
Build relationships, develop volunteers and leaders, create durable teams, and leave behind power that lasts.
View Manual SeriesMANUAL 09
Technology & Cybersecurity
Build reliable, accessible, secure campaign infrastructure and use technology without losing human judgment.
View Manual SeriesFROM THE COMMUNITY
What People Are Saying
The lack of structural supports for long term organizing, the cliffs people fall off of when campaigns end... We just aren't taking the build seriously enough, and I want to thank you for your voices and work in this space. Sending deep gratitude.
HELP BUILD DEMOCRACY UNIVERSITY
Knowledge gets stronger when we share it.
We want the best lessons, resources, and feedback we can find — not just what one organization already knows.
Share Your Knowledge
Send a lesson, story, tip, tool, training memory, quote, or hard-earned piece of advice for the manuals and courses.
Share what you learnedRecommend a Resource
Manuals, toolkits, videos, classes, articles, templates, research — old or new, from any useful tradition or perspective.
Recommend somethingGive Feedback
Read a draft manual and tell us what is wrong, missing, outdated, unclear, or worth making stronger.
Review the manualsOUR COMMITMENT
Democracy is stronger when more people can lead.
We are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, belonging, and anti-racism — not as side initiatives, but as part of how we teach, build, convene, and lead.
Talent is everywhere. Opportunity is not. We are here to help close that gap.
Read our full commitmentWHO WE ARE
Built by organizers.
For the movement.
Democracy University is a training and education platform created by GAIN Power. We invest in the people, relationships, skills, knowledge, and communities that make democracy and progressive movements stronger — because people are the infrastructure that powers change.
Learn Our Storydemocracy needs you
Fund the Fight
Every training we deliver is funded by people like you. The far right has billions. We have each other — and the truth. Help us build the training infrastructure democracy deserves.
Donate Nowjoin the movement
Ready to Organize?
Get access to every training, resource, and event. No cost, no gatekeeping — democracy education for everyone.