Civic participation should always be an OPPORTUNITY,
not an obstacle.

Let’s BE THE ONES.

To each of you that chose to BE THE ONES in your communities last year, THANK YOU.

Whether you supported us financially, registered to vote, attended one of our community events, told us to be better, shared your story, decided to run for office or voted in a local election - thank you. We wouldn’t be here without you. 

We’re grateful and honored to be in this moment with you; being the ones who are creating the communities we want to be a part of.

Now more than ever this work is needed.

Who We Are

Be The Ones is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to strengthening the health of communities and building a more representative democracy by increasing local civic and political participation across the Southeast.

In coalition with community-based local partners, we:

  • Increase civic understanding

  • Motivate engagement, and

  • Create a culture of accessible, inclusive, sustainable - and joyful - participation.

We use technology, storytelling, arts, culture and food to create a sense of place and possibility to do this work.

Information and participation are the foundation of our democracy. When we listen to our communities, meet them where they are and provide information that’s easy to understand, engaging, and relatable, constituents become actively invested in the future of their communities.

Together, we’re shaping the communities and democracy we want to be a part of.

  • 550,000 +

    Number of state and local elected officials across the country.

  • 96 %

    Of all government officials are elected locally.

  • $3 Trillion

    The amount of local government spending state and local officials control the annually.

Why Be The Ones

State and local elected officials and governments shape our lives. They make decisions impacting everything from kids’ education, closing the racial wealth gap, expanding healthcare, and voter access.

And, yet:

  • 80% of eligible voters don’t vote in local elections

  • 4 in 10 say not knowing the role of Secretary of State or State Attorney General prevents them from participating in civic activities

  • 33% admit to guessing at random when voting on down-ballot races 

  • 36% say they have left the bottom portion of their ballot blank when voting

Be The Ones creates opportunities for community driven conversations and learning by providing factual & relevant information on local government, issues like reproductive justice, education, criminal justice, and voting access that meets folks where they are, and leads to sustainable, ongoing and community centered local civic participation.

  • "I didn't realize how much my vote mattered until one of my local races was decided by just 16 votes. My vote meant we were going to have better school programs for my son and his classmates."

    -Brendan, North Carolina

  • "Mis padres y mi familia votan, pero sólo porque paso muchas horas ayudándoles a entender por qué su voto es importante. No sólo dedico tiempo a ayudarles antes de las elecciones, sino que tengo que dedicar muchas horas a encontrar la información para compartirla con ellos - y casi no existe información sobre los cargos de nuestra ciudad que pueda encontrar para ayudar a entender lo que hacen estas personas."

    -Kimberly, Florida

  • "I always hear "vote local," "local elections matter" - but what does that mean? Where is the information helping me understand why local elections matter and how these people impact my life. If I knew more I would probably care more."

    -Alyson, New York

Civic participation should always be an opportunity,
not an obstacle.

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Your financial investment allows us to build our programs, reach more folks across the country, and support the ones powering this work. Thank you for investing in Be The Ones.