Building Civic Power: Lessons for Philanthropy from 2020 Census and Redistricting in Pennsylvania

In the lead-up to the 2020 census cycle, philanthropic organizations in Pennsylvania saw a unique opportunity to align their giving with the state’s democratic needs. They formed new partnerships, supported trusted messengers, invested in civic infrastructure, and helped ensure every community was counted and represented. These efforts laid the groundwork for long-term civic power and delivered tangible benefits in areas such as healthcare, education, housing, and economic development.

This case study focuses on work led by Pennsylvania Voice (PA Voice) through the Keystone Counts coalition and Maps for the People campaign. While other efforts took place across the state, this study follows the evolution of PA Voice’s work to trace one story over several years that shows how a grassroots-led vision, made possible by funders organizing around an aligned strategy, built lasting capacity for democratic participation.