WHO WE ARE
A Living Commitment
to Democracy
In a time of crisis and transition for democratic institutions in the United States and globally, we must invest in more than just moments—we must invest in people and purpose.
OUR MISSION
The Counter to the Far Right's
Training Machine
Democracy University is a bold new initiative to create a civic education and leadership platform preparing the next generation of change agents. From local organizers to future policymakers, campaign staff to civic educators—our mission is to provide the knowledge, tools, and pathways they need to thrive in democratic life.
Democracy University is the counter to Turning Point USA, PragerU, and the Leadership Institute. While a few organizations on the left offer democracy training, none match the scale, influence, or coordination of these well-funded far-right institutions. Democracy University is building a new model that unites people across our political spectrum who are committed to democratic values, civic education, and leadership rooted in truth, integrity, and inclusion.
We believe democracy is not a finished product. It's a practice. We are here to teach, train, and move people into positions where they can make democracy work.
OUR PURPOSE
"To build the intellectual, civic, and strategic foundation for active democratic participation and values-driven leadership."
COMING SOON
A Full Platform for Civic Leaders
Courses
Civic engagement, campaign strategy, organizing, policy, governance, and professional development
Workshops & Cohorts
Real-world application, critical thinking, and leadership through hands-on group learning
Digital Content
Blogs, micro-courses, and interactive media for civic learners on every platform
Live Events & Webinars
Connecting students to thought leaders, practitioners, and organizers across the movement
Customized Programs
Tailored training for organizations, schools, campaigns, and coalitions at any scale
Resource Sharing
Curated content from aligned sources — because we don't have to build everything alone
WHAT WE STAND FOR
Our Guiding Commitments
Representative Democracy is a shared practice, not a finished product
The government must protect rights, expand opportunity, and improve lives
We resist authoritarianism, racism, and oligarchy in all their forms
We uplift multiracial, multifaith, feminist, disability-inclusive, and intergenerational democracy
We build institutions and communities rooted in empathy, equity, and truth
We invest in the people and professionals who protect and evolve democracy
We use artificial intelligence responsibly—putting people first, protecting rights and privacy, maintaining transparency and accountability, and preserving meaningful human oversight
OUR PROGRAMMATIC PILLARS & VALUES
People are the infrastructure that powers change.
Our work is grounded in a simple belief: we invest in the people, relationships, skills, knowledge, and communities that make democracy and progressive movements stronger.
WHAT WE DO
Careers / Pathways
Help people see, enter, navigate, and sustain meaningful careers in democracy, elections, advocacy, organizing, governing, and public leadership.
Capacity / Skills & Leaders
Build practical skills, judgment, confidence, and leadership capacity so people can do the work well and develop others.
Convening
Create spaces where practitioners, learners, leaders, trainers, and organizations can learn from one another and build trust.
Community
Strengthen relationships, belonging, mentorship, peer support, and the human networks that sustain people through difficult work.
Communications & Content
Capture lessons, tell stories, share knowledge, create useful tools, and make the field's experience easier to access.
Coordination & Collaboration
Reduce silos, connect people and organizations, share resources, and strengthen the infrastructure around the people doing the work.
HOW WE SHOW UP
HOW WE BUILD FOR THE FUTURE
We carry forward hard-earned knowledge while staying willing to adapt, experiment, learn, and change as democracy, technology, movements, and communities evolve.
We build people. We build relationships. We build community. We build capacity. And together, we build the infrastructure for lasting change.
OUR APPROACH TO AI
We believe in Ethical AI.
Ethical AI means developing and using artificial intelligence in ways that serve people—not the other way around. It is broader than asking whether a system is technically accurate; it asks who benefits, who is harmed, who gets a say, and whether the way we build and deploy these tools is worthy of the communities whose lives they shape.
OUR PRACTICAL DEFINITION
Ethical AI is the responsible use of artificial intelligence in ways that put affected people first. That means:
Protecting privacy, civil rights, and human rights — and recognizing that rights language is broader and stronger than data language alone.
Being honest about what AI can and cannot do — never using AI to disguise contested decisions, fake expertise, impersonate people, or launder responsibility for outcomes a human chose.
Centering the voices of people historically excluded from technology decisions — workers, disabled people, Black and brown communities, immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, and anyone whose life the system actually touches.
Preventing bias and harm — especially the harms automated systems have already caused in housing, hiring, healthcare, criminal justice, and benefits administration.
Protecting workers from unchecked surveillance and from being displaced without a plan, a voice, or a seat at the table.
Maintaining transparency and accountability — including explainability, auditability, and a named human or institution that owns the outcome.
Ensuring meaningful human oversight — oversight that is answerable to the public, not just to the engineers who built the system.
Ethical AI does not mean “never use AI.” It means being intentional about where AI helps, where humans must remain responsible, what safeguards are necessary, and what uses should simply be off limits — including predictive policing based on protected characteristics, untested medical triage, mass biometric surveillance, child-targeting behavioral manipulation, and any system that replaces democratic decision-making without informed consent.
OUR ETHICAL AI COMMITMENTS
Questions we expect ourselves to ask.
Fairness
We work to identify and reduce bias and discrimination, including harms tied to race, gender, age, disability, income, geography, or other characteristics.
Transparency
People should understand when AI is being used and, where appropriate, how it influenced a decision or piece of content.
Accountability
A person or organization remains responsible for decisions and outcomes. We do not outsource responsibility to 'the algorithm.'
Privacy
Personal data should be collected, stored, shared, and used appropriately, with safeguards proportionate to the sensitivity and risk.
Consent
We take seriously whether people know and agree to how their information, likeness, voice, or creative work is being used.
Accuracy
AI-generated claims should be checked, especially when errors could mislead people, damage trust, or cause harm.
Safety
AI systems and uses should be considered for foreseeable harms, misuse, manipulation, and unintended consequences before deployment.
Human Oversight
Important decisions should remain subject to meaningful human judgment, responsibility, review, and—where appropriate—appeal.
Accessibility & Inclusion
Technology should work for and benefit a broad range of people rather than reproducing or deepening existing inequalities.
Authenticity
AI-generated or manipulated material should be disclosed when failing to disclose it could deceive people about what is real or who is speaking.
Responsible Labor & Creation
We take intellectual property, creators' work, the people who train and moderate systems, and the effects of automation on work seriously.
Democratic Integrity
AI should respect people's autonomy. We reject uses designed to deceive, impersonate, suppress participation, or manipulate people in ways that undermine democratic participation.
OUR TRAINING LINEAGE
We are building forward, not starting from scratch.
Democracy University draws from generations of organizers, campaign professionals, trainers, movement schools, party programs, international democracy practitioners, and peer-learning communities. We honor that lineage while updating the work for the challenges ahead.
“I urge you to be fearless about the future. Just because something has not been done yet, doesn’t mean it can’t be.”
“The size of your dreams must always exceed your current capacity to achieve them. If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough.”
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf · Harvard Commencement · 2011
SUPPORT THE MOVEMENT
Democracy needs educators,
organizers, and advocates
In this time of crisis and transformation, democracy needs more than defenders—it needs educators, organizers, public servants, and advocates prepared to lead with courage and purpose.
Democracy University is a new nonprofit initiative providing civic education, leadership development, and career support to equip a diverse new generation of changemakers. From first-time organizers to future policymakers, we're creating a shared platform where democracy is taught, practiced, and protected.
WITH YOUR SUPPORT, WE ARE:
Launching online courses, workshops, and digital content for civic learners
Building career pathways through Democracy Pros, our career center
Supporting BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, immigrant, and working-class leaders with fellowships, mentorships, and coaching
Creating resources grounded in the Declaration of Democracy, a living framework for democratic renewal (thedeclarationofdemocracy.org)
Every dollar helps us build an inclusive, resilient democracy—led by the people, for the people.
Donate today and become part of the movement to train and support those who will make democracy work.
🌟 Democracy University is a fiscally sponsored project of Global GAIN, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
WHO'S BEHIND THIS
Meet the Founders
Amy Pritchard
FOUNDER · GAIN POWER & DEMOCRACY UNIVERSITY
Amy Pritchard is a campaign strategist, trainer, democracy entrepreneur, and founder of GAIN Power and Democracy University. Her work spans Democratic politics, advocacy, political workforce development, voter contact, communications, organizing, international democracy work, and leadership development, with a focus on helping more people gain the skills, relationships, confidence, opportunity, and power to do meaningful democracy work.
Will Robinson
FOUNDING PARTNER · THE NEW MEDIA FIRM
Will Robinson has spent more than four decades helping shape Democratic campaigns, communications, and political strategy. A founding partner of The New Media Firm, his work spans presidential, statewide, legislative, labor, advocacy, and ballot-measure campaigns, and today includes integrated media, technology, behavioral science, AI, values-based persuasion, and rapid message testing.
Ready to fight for democracy?
Start learning, organizing, and building power today.