The Problem: Learned Helplessness
Most Americans feel trapped in a governance we know is broken. They live inside the illusion that our political system has the same persistence as gravity—unchangeable and permanent. In this world, the "other side" are the main problem.
Hyperpolarization
Inside a two-party system which rewards extremism and punishes compromise, our fellow citizens become enemies in a battle rather than neighbors facing shared challenges.
Media Dysfunction
News driven by the economics of attention—and funding for naked propaganda—makes it nearly impossible to find common ground or shared facts.
Deep Cynicism
People who don't believe change is possible do nothing (except complain).
Elite Capture
Across the political spectrum, Americans are frustrated by the concentration of power. A very few have incredible influence compared to the many. The system seems designed to serve them, not us.
Our Vision
A governance system exists only by broad agreement. When it's failing everyone, we need to be actively considering alternatives—and our goal is that Americans recognize, discuss, and engage with them. We seed discussions of deliberative and participatory systems: citizen juries, sortition, sociocracy, deliberative polling, and others.
To think beyond the traditional alternatives of authoritarianism, partisan-based systems, or media-driven direct democracy (like the now-regretted Brexit vote), people need to experience, watch, and discuss alternatives where deep citizen input is truly incorporated.
By seeding experiments toward that goal—even at small scale—we change how people think and act.
But this isn't just an academic exercise. By creating a voting coalition across the political spectrum for a more legitimate alternative, we create a path for citizens to take control of our broken democracy.
How We're Different
Nearly all political efforts focus on fighting within the current system or reforming it with various tweaks. We stand for a different approach entirely.
Our Approach
We support deliberative democratic methods—citizen assemblies, sortition, deliberative polling, and other processes that go beyond partisan representation or mass up/down ballots.
Our theory of change: seed experiments → shift what people believe is possible → grow demand for better systems → create political pressure from outside the partisan frame → influence the system itself.
We measure the impact: does exposure to alternatives reduce cynicism? Increase engagement? And we challenge the notion that the current system can't change. If even a small percentage of citizens across the political spectrum demand that elected officials respect the output of a legitimate alternative process, it will shake up the current downward spiral.
What Success Looks Like
Cultural Impact
- Alternative democratic forms are widely discussed in media, classrooms, and communities
- People see dysfunction as systemic and correctable—not moral failures of "the other side"
- People link new democratic efforts with familiar historical progress (such as the American Revolution)
Political Impact
- Reduced cynicism and greater political participation
- Increased visibility of common-sense solutions from less partisan processes
- Less tolerance for hyperpartisanship
Long-Term Impact
- Elected officials feel pressure to respect and incorporate common ground
- Active deliberative experimentation at neighborhood, local, state, and national levels
- Cities and states adopt binding deliberative processes
The Big Enchilada: Democratic Leverage
Among the experiments we aim to support is what we call "the big enchilada"—testing whether citizens can use alternative democratic processes to influence elections in the system we have today.
The Concept
What if a diverse group of citizens—across parties, ideologies, and demographics—came together using a trusted deliberative process to create a "common-sense platform" for their district? What if they then asked candidates to commit to that platform, and voted as a bloc based on the response?
Even a few percent of voters collaborating this way in a competitive district could demonstrate that change is possible. It shows the nation that:
- The enemy is not our fellow citizens—it's a dysfunctional system
- Common ground is possible when we use better processes
How it might work:
- Cross-spectrum enrollment: Recruit a representative group of citizens who commit in advance to respect the process
- Deliberative process: Use a trusted alternative system (deliberative polling, citizen assembly, etc.) to work through real issues
- Generate platform: Produce a shared agenda this diverse group believes is fair and workable
- Apply pressure: Ask candidates to publicly support the platform; vote accordingly
Current Activities
We're currently raising funds to launch several focused projects, each designed to shift how Americans think about democratic possibility.
Social Media Micro-Grants
Fund small grants for compelling social media content discussing the bold choice to imagine a better democracy. By supporting diverse voices exploring democratic alternatives, we normalize the conversation about what's possible beyond our current system.
Door-to-Door Coalition Test
Test whether door-to-door invitations to a partner's bipartisan deliberative experiment can shift participants' willingness to consider voting coalitions. Can we get people from across the political spectrum to demand common-sense solutions together?
Staff Support for Coordination
Support a senior staff member for six months to coordinate these early efforts. A dedicated person working full-time ensures projects launch effectively, partnerships develop, and momentum builds.
How We're Funding This Work
We're seeking seed funding from major donors and building a base of $50/month supporting members whose ongoing pledges fund our long-term work.
Two Ways to Support
Seed Funding ($25,000–$50,000+): We've outlined projects achievable for under $25,000 each. Seed contributions fund our first experiments and six months of coordination. Tax-deductible through our fiscal sponsor.
$50/Month Supporting Member: Our long-term funding backbone. Goal: 500 members ($300K/year), growing toward 2,000 members ($1.2M/year). Your pledge is conditional—stored securely but not charged unless HfD meets defined success milestones. You help show seed funders that real support exists, without committing until we've delivered.
💚 Become a Supporting Member
Your monthly pledge isn't charged unless we deliver on our goals. Join the founding group of members proving that demand for democratic change exists.
Any recurring amount counts. Your card is stored but not charged until milestones are met.
Be Here at the Beginning
This vision is just starting. Whether through seed funding, a monthly pledge, or simply staying informed—you can be part of what comes next.
Get updates as our experiments launch: