2018 ANNUAL REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter from the President .......................04 About MAP .....................05 Milestones ......................06 State Future Caucus Network .............10 Congressional Future Caucus ................12 National Storytelling .....................16 Community Engagement ...................18
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Supporter, This year, we proudly celebrated a milestone anniversary for Millennial Action Project. Five years ago, an audacious idea took shape. Today, that idea has become a powerful movement we couldn’t have imagined. MAP has developed into the largest nonpartisan organization of young lawmakers in the U.S. And 2018 has proven to be our biggest year yet. As we look back at what we accomplished together in the past year, it foreshadows a tremendous opportunity for 2019. The Congressional Future Caucus, our flagship program, created and advanced bipartisan opportunities on issues from veterans employment and the future of work to gun violence prevention and Congressional reform. Our State Future Caucus Network blossomed to 27 state legislatures, introducing our platform for bipartisan bridge-building across the country and further deepening our leadership pipeline. Amid that expansion, we deepened our impact through efforts like our Democracy Reform Task Force, including a bipartisan state-level victory on gerrymandering reform. We also welcomed new members to our team and significantly expanded our capacity to grow our reach and programming. Most importantly, we engaged millions of people through our continued efforts to bring the groundbreaking achievements of our young leaders to a national audience. We are so proud of this year’s progress and motivated to reach even higher—there is much more that needs to be done to foster a new era of politics. We need a systemic change, and that's what Millennial Action Project is focused on doing. After an election ushering the largest-ever class of Millennial legislators into elected office, the opportunity for political transformation is clear. But this change won't happen by itself. It will take a dedicated effort from our entire movement of leaders, advisors, volunteers, funders, and supporters. You are essential to building a brighter future and a healthier democracy for the next generation. From the bottom of our heart, thank you for believing in this mission. It’s an honor to have you with us on this journey.
STEVEN OLIKARA President and Founder
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ABOUT MAP
BOARD OF ADVISORS
Millennial Action Project has an audacious mission: to bridge the partisan divide by engaging young leaders around future-focused solutions to our nation’s problems. Our goal is to re-establish political cooperation across parties and defeat the polarization and gridlock that is holding back our government and our country. Our generation has a unique opportunity to forge a new path and lead our nation into the future, which is why MAP is committed to activating our nation's youngest generation of leaders and lawmakers.
The Honorable Olympia Snowe Former U.S. Senator of Maine The Honorable Bill Bradley Former U.S. Senator of New Jersey The Honorable Jennifer M. Granholm 47th Governor of Michigan The Honorable Jon Huntsman, Jr. 16th Governor of Utah Former U.S. Ambassador to China The Honorable Aneesh Chopra Former U.S. Chief Technology Officer The Honorable Barbara Lawton 43rd Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin Congressman Chris Gibson Former U.S. Representative, NY-19 Congressman Carlos Curbelo Former U.S. Representative, FL-24
LAYLA ZAIDANE
CHERISSE EATMON
Chief Operating Officer layla@millennialaction.org
State Caucus Network Director cherisse@millennialaction.org
Ambassador Donald Gips Albright Stonebridge Group Former United States Ambassador to South Africa Dr. Peter Levine Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, Tufts University Shawn Golhar Barclays Dr. Jeremi Suri University of Texas-Austin Kari Dunn Saratovsky Third Plateau Social Impact Strategies Thione Niang Give1Project
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AYSHIA CONNORS
CAROLINE DVORSKY
Congressional Caucus Director ayshia@millennialaction.org
Program Manager caroline@millennialaction.org
Shane Bateman Center for American Progress David Burd Heidrick & Struggles Senator Ling Ling Chang California Millennial Caucus Laurie Schultz Heim U.S. Institute of Peace (Ret.) Nick Maschari Purple Strategies Alison Overseth Partnership for After-School Education Nancy Roman Partnership for Healthier America Stephanie Valle KIPP Albany Charter Schools
TIFFANY JONES
COURTNEY WRIGHT
Development Manager tiffany@millennialaction.org
Executive Assistant courtney@millennialaction.org
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Erica Williams Kirkland & Ellis Steven Olikara Founder and President Millennial Action Project
MAP ANNUAL REPORT 05
WE
ARE
5 YEARS
OLD
08 MAP ANNUAL REPORT
1
Launched new MAP Democracy Reform Task Force
2
Grew MAP staff
3
Conducted original MAP policy research
4
Expanded State Future Caucus Network
Convened state legislators across state and party lines
Hired new talent to help maximize our impact
Released our Democracy Reform Task Force report and a Millennial Poll
Grew to 27 states
MILES MILLENNIALACTION.ORG
5
Developed new strategic partnerships
6
Launched Congressional staffer engagement program Facilitated dialogue and information-sharing
7
Testified on Capitol Hill
8
Built connections across media, policy, and entertainment industries
among bipartisan staffers
Provided MAP’s first testimony in front of the House Committee on Small Business
Saw the largest-ever class of Millennial legislators ever elected to Congress and state legislatures!
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STATE FUTURE CAUCUS NETWORK
The mission of each State Future Caucus is to foster bipartisan dialogue among young and innovative legislators committed to working on the issues facing Millennials and future generations.
Launched a new policy focus through our
Democracy Reform Task Force S TA TES O F DEM O C R A C Y | 2 0 18 To encourage civic engagement, especially among younger generations, we must rebuild trust in government. MAP is connecting young lawmakers across state and party lines to find innovative solutions that make government more accountable, participatory, and representative for all.
Cherisse Eatmon, State Caucus Network Director
December 2018
LAUNCHED 7 NEW STATE CAUCUSES
AK AZ KS ME MI OR VA
27 Total States
MAP worked to restore democratic principles to our institutions by advancing efforts to improve voting, government accountability, and redistricting reform. Through the Task Force, MAP connected young lawmakers across state and party lines to find innovative solutions to these issues. MAP convened the Task Force virtually throughout the year, and hosted an in-person meeting in July. In December, MAP released a comprehensive report on bipartisan opportunities at the state level, and marked the release with an event with Reps. Stephanie Clayton (R-KS), Chaz Beasely (D-NC), MAP’s Cherisse Eatmon, and Daniel Weimer of the Brennan Center for Justice.
Key Policy Wins Redistricting bill led by Ohio Future Caucus Co-Chair Ohio Future Caucus Co-Chair and Task Force member State Senator Frank LaRose led the effort behind the state’s bipartisan redistricting plan to end gerrymandering in the state. Gerrymandered in favor of Republicans (from LaRose’s own party), the legislation gained unbelievable bipartisan backing and was overwhelmingly supported by Ohio voters. The measure passed both chambers and was signed into law by Governor Kasich in February.
Mississippi Future Caucus Endorses HB 1550 On Feb. 14, the Mississippi House of Representatives passed legislation that addresses the exodus of recent college graduates from the state, a problem that has come to be known as Mississippi's “brain drain.” Rep. Anderson shared his bill with our list of state legislators by email, resulting in legislators from across the country reaching out to learn more in hopes of introducing similar legislation in their own states. 10 MAP ANNUAL REPORT
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SFCN KEY EVENTS
The future of democracy always seems brighter after the Future Summit. Future Summit Attendee
MAP hosted the Second Annual Future Summit Our Future Summit in Malibu, CA grew to be even bigger and better in 2018! MAP hosted more than 50 state legislators from over 20 states, and extended programming to cover three days of learning, networking, and bridge-building. MAP kicked off with a pre-Summit meeting of our Democracy Reform Task Force. The following day, legislators convened for programming including: issue breakout sessions on criminal justice reform, democracy, health care, higher education, and workforce development; a millennial polling presentation; an interactive workshop dedicated to developing legislator-led ideas on how to maximize the impact of their state's Future Caucus; and a fireside conversation with Matthew Dowd from ABC News. That evening, attendees enjoyed a private tour and reception at the scenic Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. On the third day, legislators had the opportunity to participate in small sided conversations at the Creative Artists Agency (CAA) with some of the biggest agents, actors, and names in Hollywood.
#FutureSummit2018 made over 3.5 MILLION social media impressions!
Launched a new state event series: Red and Blue Dialogues in Wisconsin “Across the Red & Blue Divide” Series—Started this year, the series brings together citizens of America's most politically polarized community, Greater Milwaukee, with members of the Wisconsin Future Caucus. Moderated by trained facilitators from the Zeidler Center for Public Discussion, the gatherings have been shown to help community members build mutual understanding and find common ground across the aisle, even on the most controversial of topics like criminal justice reform and fake news. MAP ANNUAL REPORT 11
CONGRESSIONAL FUTURE CAUCUS The Congressional Future Caucus is our nation's first and only bipartisan caucus for young members of Congress. These members come together across partisan lines to creatively and pragmatically forge common ground on issues facing America's next generation, such as higher education, entrepreneurship, and veteran’s employment. In 2018, the Congressional Future Caucus prioritized economic innovation, Congressional reform, and cybersecurity.
Congressional Future Caucus helps lift ban on federal funding for CDC research on gun violence Responding to the inspiring leadership from the Parkland students, our CFC members came together to address one of the most polarizing issues in America: gun violence. Co-Chair Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) and member Rep. Ryan Costello (R-PA) became the first Republicans to sign on to Vice-Chair Rep. Stephanie Murphy’s Gun Violence Research Act, which lifts the decades-old ban on Centers for Disease Control research into gun violence prevention. This bill was signed into law as part of a larger spending bill on the eve of the March For Our Lives demonstration in Washington, DC.
The BATTLE Act passes Congress and signed into law with 2018 NDAA The Better Access to Technical Training, Learning, and Entrepreneurship (BATTLE) for Servicemembers Act will help the nearly 250,000 servicemembers who leave the military each year achieve their professional and personal goals once they transition to civilian life. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), a Vice-Chair of the Congressional Future Caucus (CFC), introduced a bill and it was cosponsored by fellow CFC co-chairs Congressman Carlos Curbelo and Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema, as well as Congressman Jack Bergman. Rep. Murphy recognized MAP on the House floor during the introduction of the bill.
Independent evaluator finds that 78 percent of current Congressional Future Caucus members have become more bipartisan since their tenure with the Caucus began Data from the Lugar Center Bipartisan Index found that 78% of CFC members have become more bipartisan since they joined the Future Caucus. With more than 30 Millennial members sworn into Congress this session (doubling the contingent compared to the 114th Congress), MAP expects the Caucus’ impact to grow drastically as they work to find common ground among the members.
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CFC KEY EVENTS MAP testifies in front of Small Business Committee on Millennials and the Gig Economy As a growing number of Millennials pursue careers in the gig economy, how will the nature of work, benefits, and education change? That’s the question MAP’s President Steven Olikara addressed on Capitol Hill at the House Small Business Committee’s “Millennials and the Gig Economy” hearing.
Future of Work in Wisconsin featuring Congressman Mike Gallagher and State Representative Amanda Stuck MAP hosted its first-ever joint Congressional and State Future Caucus event in Wisconsin, featuring Future Caucus Vice Chair Congressman Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Wisconsin Future Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Amanda Stuck (D-Appleton). This was the legislators’ first public appearance together, though their district overlap. The bipartisan roundtable attracted community leaders to discuss the future of the local workforce and possible impacts of new technology.
Wispolitics Breakfast featuring Mike Gallagher
Congressional Baseball Game
MAP President Steven Olikara joined fellow Wisconsinite and Future Caucus Vice Chair Rep. Mike Gallagher to speak with students from the University of Wisconsin about what issues are impacting them most—and the power they hold to implement change.
Building strong relationships across the aisle helps create the trust needed to collaborate on some of our nation’s biggest challenges. MAP enjoyed a night out at the Congressional Baseball Game with Future Caucus leadership to further deepen the relationship with this dynamic group!
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CONGRESSIONAL IMPACT MAP identified opportunities throughout 2018 to amplify the CFC’s work through strategic media engagement. MAP effectively leveraged the voices of the most active CFC members to amplify success stories from the Hill through press statements, op-eds, network television appearances, and more. MAP also launched and held a series to engage Congressional staffers over throughout the year, convening in CFC offices over lunch to share key bills and identify opportunities for collaboration.
Key Communications ➤ Rep. Stephanie Murphy formally recognized MAP on the House floor ➤ Reps. Gallagher and Khanna penned a bipartisan op-ed calling for sweeping Congressional reform policies ➤ New “Brews & Bipartisanship” Facebook Live series visited CFC members in their offices to interview them over a beer ➤ Produced a MAP video with testimonials from CFC vice-chairs Reps. Gallagher and Murphy
Staff Engagement ➤ E Pluribus Unum Lunch Series: an opportunity to update and share information internally ➤ Online network: MAP created digital opportunities for members to connect in between the lunches through emails, social media groups, listservs, and more
Leadership pipeline ➤ Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, co-chair of the Future Caucus, won her race to become Arizona’s junior Senator! ➤ After a historic Millennial wave, there will be 32 Millennial Members of Congress in 2019
MILLENNIALACTION.ORG
Future Caucus co-chairs Reps. Carlos Curbelo and Kyrsten Sinema ranked
TOP
10
MOST BIPARTISAN MEMBERS per data from the Lugar Center's Bipartisan Index
Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images
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NATIONAL STORYTELLING IN 2018, MAP TOLD ITS STORY TO AUDIENCES ACROSS THE COUNTRY —AND ACROSS THE GLOBE.
18M
Total Twitter impressions
180K
Total Facebook Likes
2,000 300 16 MAP ANNUAL REPORT
125%%
From 2017
107%
From 2017
Total Email list increased by 2k active subscribers
Total TV broadcast, radio, print, & online media mentions
MILLENNIALACTION.ORG
Rep. Mike Gallagher
@RepGallagher
29 May 2018
“Looking forward to today's bipartisan discussion with @RepStuckWI, @MActionProject, and @wispolitics on the future of Wisconsin's workforce. Stay tuned!”
Rep. Stephanie Murphy
@RepStephMurphy
2 Oct 2018
“A very Happy 5th Anniversary to the @MActionProject! Thanks for all you do to foster bipartisanship on issues important to millennials. I'm proud to serve as co-vice chair of bipartisan #FutureCaucus in Congress with @RepGallagher (whose sock game is always on point). #MAP5Years”
Steven Olikara spoke with BBC News on a segment broadcast in over 200 countries and territories worldwide.
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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Engaging young change-makers to continue building a robust leadership pipeline to public service
MAP 5 YEAR CELEBRATION On October 2, MAP celebrated five years of transcending political partisanship at an anniversary event hosted in Washington, DC. The evening reception highlighted MAP’s work launching Future Caucuses in Congress and 27 state legislatures, and awarded two young state lawmakers the inaugural MAP Rising Star award for achievements in bipartisanship. Rep. Caroline Simmons (D-CT) and Sen. Frank LaRose (R-OH) (now Ohio’s Secretary of State) provided remarks and accepted the award that recognizes their outstanding leadership and ongoing commitment to enacting bipartisan legislation at the state level, as well as their ongoing commitment to working with colleagues across the aisle.
Rep. Stephanie Murphy
@RepStephMurphy 2 Oct 2018
“A very Happy 5th Anniversary to the @MActionProject! Thanks for all you do to foster bipartisanship on issues important to millennials. I'm proud to serve as co-vice chair of bipartisan #FutureCaucus in Congress with @RepGallagher (whose sock game is always on point). #MAP5Years” 18 MAP ANNUAL REPORT
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SUMMER SEND OFF On August 16, MAP hosted over 50 local leaders at the Embassy Row Hotel for a Summer Send Off happy hour. This celebration of MAP’s exciting summer was held at the hotel’s beautiful rooftop bar, complete with views of downtown D.C. and the monuments. (Photos on the left and above)
NIGHT OF UNITED COMEDY On March 23, MAP hosted a Night of United Comedy at the Chicago Laugh Factory. The event brought together MAP’s network from across the political spectrum for an evening of jokes and laughter, all to benefit MAP’s mission of bridging the divide. (Below)
INTERNATIONAL VISITS Throughout 2018, MAP hosted international delegations to share MAP’s theory of change with young leaders and legislators from around the world. Visitors came to MAP from South Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and sub-Saharan Africa. (Photo Above) GRAPHICS BY JASZITY
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N A T I O N A L V O T E R REGISTRATION D A Y On September 25, MAP coordinated members of the State Future Caucus Network to get out in their communities for NVRD. MAP engaged legislators across the country to host voter registration drives and engage thousands of young people in person and on social media.
✓ YOUNG LEADERS COUNCIL The MAP Young Leaders Council is a group of carefully-selected, driven leaders who embody MAP’s mission. The YLC serves as MAP’s “inner-circle” of Millennial advisors that offer strategic counsel, assist in network-building, and provide other resources to support the growth and reach of the organization. Currently, the YLC is co-chaired by Rachel Hoff, Policy Director at the Reagan Institute, and Anastasia Kessler-Dellaccio, Director, Community and Career Engagement, Creator Awards, WeWork.
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MAP ON THE ROAD
➤
MILLENNIAL SUMMIT
➤
POLITICON 2018
➤
NATIONAL CAMPUS LEADERSHIP COUNCIL'S PRESIDENTIAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
➤
AAUW NATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR COLLEGE WOMEN STUDENT LEADERS
➤
UNRIG THE SYSTEM
➤
COURAGE TO RUN 5K
➤
NATIONAL SPEAKERS CONFERENCE
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Steven Olikara
@StevenOlikara
21 Aug 2018
“Great to be home in #Milwaukee to address Speakers of the House from legislature across the country @SLLForg. (Good choice of host city!).”
MAP ANNUAL REPORT 21
2018
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