2019
IMPACT REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS 4
Letter from the President
6
Meet the Team
8
MAP by the Numbers
10
Congressional Future Caucus
14
State Future Caucus Network
18
Policy and Outreach
20
The Ripple Effect
22
National Storytelling
24
New Frontiers
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Supporter, This year, we proudly celebrated our sixth anniversary at the Millennial Action Project, and it has been an incredible time of growth. Our movement continues to build momentum as our network expands and new members join the MAP team. As I reflect on 2019, I am most inspired by the diversity of people who have come together, and dedicated their time and energy to this work. From our dynamic staff to the incredible Future Caucus members in states and Congress—over 1,000 legislators!—this network of changemakers has raised the bar for what we expect from our democracy. Each day, we are joined by more leaders ready to make a difference: in 2019 alone, we announced four new co-chairs to our Congressional Future Caucus; deepened our engagement with our 29 State Future Caucuses; hired seven new staff; engaged over 600 community members through our Red & Blue Dialogues series; and much more. MAP built strong trust, compassion, and understanding among our leaders, each new coalition a strong expression of democracy. In 2019, these powerful coalitions produced an impressive list of wins on issues such as democracy reform, renewable energy, and the future of work. We are proud of what we have accomplished together so far and are eager to channel this momentum in the coming years. The future of MAP is bold; we are on a trajectory to create an impact in Congress, states, and—most importantly—our communities. Our MAP leaders are on the front lines of changing the way we engage in political discourse and are poised to disrupt the gridlock plaguing our nation. You are an integral part of MAP’s mission. The political transformation we seek is only possible with dedicated effort from leaders, advisors, volunteers, funders, and supporters like you. Your role in shaping our future is essential, and we are honored to have you join us on this journey. Onward,
Steven Olikara Founder and President
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Steven Olikara
Founder & President
Layla Zaidane
BOARD OF ADVISORS 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 06 MAP 2019 IMPACT REPORT
Cherisse Eatmon
Executive Director & COO
Senior Director, State Caucus Network
Claire Meneer
Director of Operations
The Honorable Aneesh Chopra Former U.S. Chief Technology Officer The Honorable Barbara Lawton 43rd Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin Congressman Carlos Curbelo Former U.S. Representative, FL-24 Congressman Chris Gibson Former U.S. Representative, NY-19 Ambassador Donald Gips Albright Stonebridge Group Former U.S. Ambassador to South Africa
Stacy Lewis
Director of External Affairs
Dr. Peter Levine Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, Tufts University Dr. Jeremi Suri University of Texas-Austin Shawn Golhar Barclays Kari Dunn Saratovsky Third Plateau Social Impact Strategies Thione Niang Give1Project MILLENNIALACTION.ORG
MISSION
The Millennial Action Project has an audacious mission: re-establish political cooperation across parties and defeat the polarization and gridlock that is holding back our government and 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.
Alex Tapia
State Caucus Manager
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Joe Greaney
Associate Manager of Policy and Outreach
Shane Bateman Center for American Progress David Burd Heidrick & Struggles Laurie Schultz Heim U.S. Institute of Peace (Ret.)
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Lani Bohm
Communications Coordinator
Alexander Baughman Meredith Bergman Development Coordinator
Nick Maschari Purple Strategies Maryfrances Metrick M Metrick Advisory Alison Overseth Partnership for After-School Education Nancy Roman Partnership for Healthier America
Executive Assistant
Stephanie Valle KIPP Albany Charter Schools Erica Williams Kirkland & Ellis Steven Olikara Millennial Action Project
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MAP BY THE NUMBERS 1000+ Legislators engaged
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35
Passed pieces of bipartisan congressional legislation introduced by CFC members
State Future Caucuses MILLENNIALACTION.ORG
60
State legislators at MAP’s 3rd annual Future Summit
234
Pieces of bipartisan legislation introduced by Congressional Future Caucus (CFC) members
2
Interns hired as full-time employees
3
State legislators awarded the second annual Rising Star Awards
Members in newly-launched Congressional Millennial Action Staff Association (MASA)
5
Red & Blue Dialogues hosted
4
1 New MAP office
250+
2
New State Future Caucuses launched
5
New MAP staff roles created and filled
SFCN Policy Briefs created
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CONGRESSIONAL FUTURE CAUCUS The Congressional Future Caucus (CFC) is our nation’s first and only bipartisan caucus for young members of Congress. The Caucus brings young members together across partisan lines to develop empathetic leadership, seize cross-partisan opportunities, and make constructive governance a norm in Congress. In 2019, MAP recruited a new caucus leadership team and mobilized the largest millennial freshman class ever.
234
37
pieces of bipartisan legislation introduced
CFC Members
35
8
pieces of bipartisan legislation passed
new members recruited in 2019
As Michigan’s first millennial federal representative, I have a responsibility to represent my generation in the halls of Congress... I applaud the Millennial Action Project for helping get more young people involved in politics and public service, and I am proud to serve as a Co-Chair of the Congressional Future Caucus.” - Congresswoman Haley Stevens, CFC Co-Chair
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2019-2020 CFC CO-CHAIRS
IT’S A TI E : Representative Anthony Gonzalez
Representative Lance Gooden
Representative Joe Neguse (D, CO-2)
Representative Haley Stevens (D, MI-11)
(R, OH-16)
(R, TX-5)
As one of the youngest members of Congress, I am incredibly excited for the opportunity to collaborate with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to lift up the voices of our next generation as a Co-Chair of the Congressional Future Caucus.� - Congressman Joe Neguse, CFC Co-Chair
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Rep. Gonzalez and Rep. Stevens led the freshman class with three bipartisan bills each passed through the House
I came to Congress on the promise to put forth bipartisan solutions to expand our economy, generate jobs for the 21st century, and make my Northeast Ohio community a destination where young people want to settle down and raise their families... This caucus can help generate the new and innovative solutions that will get us there." - Congressman Anthony Gonzalez, CFC Co-Chair Leg is la tiv e Mo m ent um CFC leadership led the introduction and/or passage of signature bills: ● Rep. Anthony Gonzalez introduced the JOBS Act as part of national movement towards a 21st century workforce ● Congress took action against the growing threat of deepfakes with the passage of the IOGAN Act introduced by Rep. Anthony Gonzalez ● Reps. Darren Soto and Anthony Gonzalez call on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to help build a robust AI framework in a letter penned to NIST Director Walter Copan
Congressional Fut ure Cau c u s P ar t ner ships CFC members engaged in key policy areas through creative partnerships with external groups and organizations. ● CFC members met with celebrities from the Netflix show One Day at a Time, where they discussed key issues portrayed in the show like veteran’s employment and immigration. ● The John W. Kluge Center at the Library of Congress partnered with the Future Caucus to host a private breakfast conversation with AI expert, author, and professor Susan Schneider.
● In a large bipartisan effort, Rep. Anthony Gonzalez and other Members of Congress introduced and passed the END Child Exploitation Act to fight the ongoing online crisis ● Suicide prevention gained traction in several states with support from Future Caucus Members, making its way into Congress with a large base of bipartisan support in the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act (see more on page 19)
C ong res s io na l Sta ff Engagement MAP launched the Millennial Action Staff Association (MASA), a space for over 250 CFC staffers to build relationships across party lines, and to learn from their peers and outside experts. MAP launched MASA activities with a public kickoff at the CTA Innovation House, and continued programming including: ● Millennial Monday lunch and learn series ● Networking opportunities ● Monthly newsletters and digital bill shares ● Staffer of the month spotlights
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CFC EVENTS W E LC O ME TO CO NG R ESS CFC K ICKOFF MAP partnered with the Consumer Technology Association, Uber, and Yelp to host the Congressional Future Caucus Kickoff at the CTA Innovation House on the Hill. This marked the inauguration of MAP’s Future Caucus in the 116th Congress as well as the launch of the Millennial Action Staff Association (MASA).
ROUNDTABLE: BETTER PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN MAP hosted a breakfast roundtable with CFC co-chair Rep. Gonzalez on leveraging technology to protect missing and exploited children online. He dropped a bipartisan, bicameral bill later that day addressing this same issue along with a press release mentioning MAP and the Future Caucus. It was covered in an article by the New York Times.
A R T I FIC IA L INTELLIG ENCE D INNER MAP convened CFC members and leading stakeholders from academia, industry, and government to discuss the global rise of artificial intelligence. Attendees discussed the state of domestic AI policy, the progress of computing advancements, the persistent need for human capital, and the debate around data regulation. Participants agreed broadly on the transformational nature of this technology and the need for more urgent U.S. leadership.
C O N G R E S SIO NA L BASEBALL GAME Ahead of the 2019 Congressional Baseball Game, MASA Members had a blast connecting with fellow millennial colleagues and leaders from across the aisle at the networking reception hosted by MAP and the George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management.
This caucus offers a unique opportunity to look for bipartisan solutions through the lens of a new generation. Millennials have revolutionized modern communication, transportation, and healthcare. I look forward to bringing that same approach to the political challenges we face."
- Congressman Lance Gooden, CFC Co-Chair MAP 2019 IMPACT REPORT 13
MAPPING THE WAY FORWARD
SURVEYED LEGISLATORS MAP asked Future Caucus members what issues they wanted to focus on in 2019 and 2020.
CREATED “BEST PRACTICES FOR FUTURE CAUCUS SUCCESS” GUIDE The Best Practices guide is a compilation of proven tips and strategies used to create strong Future Caucuses, develop caucus infrastructure, and discover ways caucuses can advance post-partisan policy solutions.
IDENTIFIED PRIORITY ISSUES Legislators identified four priority policy issues: Democracy Reform, the Future of Work, Renewable Energy, and Brain Drain.
CREATED “BEST PRACTICES FOR FUTURE CAUCUS SUCCESS” GUIDE The Best Practices guide is a compilation of proven tips and strategies used to create strong Future Caucuses, develop caucus infrastructure, and discover ways caucuses can advance post-partisan policy solutions.
DEVELOPED CAMPAIGNS MAP dedicated two months to educating the SFCN on the four priority issues and tactics in the “Best Practices for Future Caucus Success” guide.
ESTABLISHED LEARNING NETWORK As part of a deep dive into the new SFCN Priority Issues, MAP convened a bipartisan group of young state legislators in Denver, CO to learn about emerging renewable energy trends, microgrid technology, and policy wins nationwide.
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“If we want a change, we can’t just say we want a change. We need the infrastructure and support to make it happen. And that’s truly why MAP makes such a difference. - Rep. Amanda Stuck
Co-Chair of the Wisconsin Future Caucus, 2019 Rising Star Award Recipient
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STATE FUTURE CAUCUS NETWORK
MAP Rising Star Award winners who exemplified MAP’s Ethos and bipartisan cooperation: Rep. Julie Fahey (OR), Rep. Amanda Stuck (WI), Rep. Adam Neylon (WI).
The State Future Caucus Network scales our movement across state legislatures—where rising stars are taking their first steps into politics. We engage young state legislators to exchange best practices and ideas, develop policy solutions, and engage their communities. MAP convenes this national network of collaborative leaders at our annual Future Summit.
2 New States Launched: Iowa and Tennessee
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29 States Total in Future Caucus Network
900+ State legislators engaged
MAP led its National Voter Registration Day of Action for the second year in a row. This cross-caucus campaign mobilizes our legislators to register their constituents to vote, particularly young people.
Iowa Future Caucus Co-Chairs organized a Clean Energy Tour, visiting four renewable energy facilities and highlighting potential policies to boost clean energy in the state.
Legislators in Mississippi, Texas, and Iowa hosted “Capitol Day” programming for youth and college students in their states, aimed at increasing civic engagement among young people. These events have inspired several young participants to run for office themselves in 2020!
Wisconsin Future Caucus Co-Chairs inspired the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network in the state in an event focused on political leadership and “Making Millennial Voices Heard Across Party Lines.” MAP 2019 IMPACT REPORT 15
LEGISLATIVE IMPACT The Kansas Future Caucus has enabled me to build partnerships with my colleagues on issues where we can find bipartisan consensus, especially in areas where we might not have otherwise found common ground." - Rep. Brandon Woodard (KS)
STATE SPO TLIG HT: O REGON MAP worked closely with the Oregon Future Caucus and State Treasurer Tobias Read as they established a new Education Savings Credit. In September, Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed the legislation, where MAP participated in the ceremony. The Education Savings Credit changes Oregon law from a tax deduction to a tax credit of up to $300 for contributions to college savings plans. The Oregon Future Caucus played a key role by endorsing and shepherding the passage of this legislation, which encourages families statewide to invest in higher education.
IS S UE S P OTLIGHT: DEMOCRACY REFORM ACROS S THE NATIO N Democracy Reform 2020 Agenda Released announcing a focus on: 1) Modernizing Voting and Election Infrastructure, and 2) Ending Partisan Gerrymandering. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose Gained Bipartisan Support for Automatic Voter Registration, enabling Ohioans to automatically register to vote when they renew their driver’s license. Secretary LaRose is a member of MAP’s Democracy Reform Task Force. Mississippi Future Caucus Hosted GENSummit on College Voting, spearheaded by Future Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Jeramey Anderson, as part of an overall effort to address voting rights and access within democracy reform. This statewide conference of legislators and young leaders produced bipartisan proposals to improve absentee voting for college students. Built New Coalitions on Rank Choice Voting (RCV) in Georgia and Wisconsin: MAP convened two coalitions with unlikely allies in key states on RCV, namely Wisconsin and Georgia. Both states are working to introduce bipartisan RCV legislation, co-sponsored by our Future Caucus leaders.
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FUTURE SUMMIT Over the past three years, hundreds of policymakers from across the country have participated in MAP’s annual Future Summit — a place where young state legislators set aside party differences to prioritize a weekend of collaboration, policy exploration, and innovation. The 2019 Future Summit was the largest to date. Hosted in partnership with Vanderbilt University, the 2019 Future Summit began with a welcome reception hosted by the University’s Chancellor, Nicholas Zeppos. Sessions included “How to Tackle Polarizing Issues,” featuring 2016 Vice-Presidential candidate Mindy Finn, “Leveraging Your Future Caucus,” led by Future Caucus leaders who shared best practices for success, and keynotes from RNC Chairman Michael Steele and Secretary of State Frank LaRose. Attendees also explored the intersections of music, storytelling, and civic engagement with a discussion led by GRAMMY and Emmy award-winning producer and artist, Shannon Sanders.
#2019FutureSummit
11 ,, 22 33 77 ,, 88 99 66
digital impressions
60
young legislators participated
28
states represented
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Attending the Future Summit is an amazing experience. Not only are you learning about how to address issues that millennials face but you’re also learning how to better work across the aisle.” - Rep. Aaron Pilkington (AR)
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POLICY AND OUTREACH Every MAP event I’ve been to has left me feeling more positive about our political dialogue and optimistic about the opportunities we have to collaborate with those who might not sure the same political identity, but nonetheless want to find solutions to the problems that we face.” - Red & Blue Dialogue Attendee
R E D & B LUE D IA LO G UES MAP launched the Red & Blue Dialogues in 2018 to create a space for conversations among diverse community members with a spectrum of different perspectives. Along with members of our local State Future Caucuses, we are bridging the divide to discuss the issues most important to young people across the country. Discussions at events centered on key policy areas identified by MAP such as: Criminal Justice Reform, Environmental Stewardship, and Media Disinformation.
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In 2019: ● 5 Red & Blue Dialogue events hosted ● 10th Dialogue of the series concluded in November ● 12 state legislators engaged in the program ● 622 community members attended across the whole series
90%+ of program participants
reported an increase in their respect for people with opposite political views
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In 2019, MAP expanded its role as a policy curator and convener of diverse legislators, stakeholders, and community members. PO LIC Y MAP engaged external partners in research in order to provide the tools and resources legislators need to create effective policies. MAP developed policy resources for legislators at the state and federal levels on issues including: ● Democracy reform ● Future of work ● Brain drain ● Renewable energy ● Artificial intelligence Energy Learning Network Forum In December, MAP convened a group of State Future Caucus members for an in depth briefing to explore state-level approaches to renewable energy and microgrid development. Over the course of its time in Denver, CO, the group discussed the national landscape of renewable energy as well as regional and state specific opportunities and challenges to modernizing the grid. These young state legislators exchanged ideas, experiences, and potential solutions that they could bring back to their respective states.
B IPA R T IS A N B ILL G AINS MO MENTUM AT THE ST AT E L E V E L T O R EACH CO NG R ESS MAP’s State Future Caucus Network germinated a movement to tackle the national mental health crisis after Utah State Senator Daniel Thatcher shared his efforts toward suicide prevention at the 2018 Future Summit. Sen. Thatcher’s bill would designate a national three digit dialing code for the suicide hotline. Inspired by Sen. Thatcher’s legislation, Future Caucus member Rep. Jimmy Gazaway sponsored the bipartisan Arkansas Act 1064 to address the mental health crisis in his state. Going into 2020, several more states are poised to adopt the idea. Now, the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act has a large base of bipartisan support in the House, counting 59 sponsors (34 Democrats and 25 Republicans), including MAP Congressional Future Caucus members Swalwell (D-CA), Velazquez (D-NY), Soto (D-FL), Moulton (D-MA), Barragan (D-CA), Gallego (D-AZ), Gallagher (R-WI), and Steil (R-WI).a national three digit dialing code for the suicide hotline.
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Energy Learning Network Forum
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THE RIPPLE EFFECT MAP’s work continues to resonate outside the halls of Congress and state legislatures. Through cross-sector partnerships in industries such as sports, entertainment, finance, and education, the ripple effect of MAP’s mission is felt well beyond politics.
NETFLIX MEETS THE CFC
MILLENNIAL SUMMIT
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COURAGE TO RUN
AMERICAN EXPRESS LEADERSHIP ROUNDTABLE
AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE TRAINING
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PAR TNERSH IP S : STR ENG TH EN I N G O U R IM PAC T
THO U G HT LEADER S HIP: ELEVATIN G C O N VER S ATI ON S
M AP X U M D
HENRY CLAY CENTER WAS HINGTON S U M M I T
MAP partnered with University of Maryland on a report: The Organizational Climate of Congress and participated in a symposium to discuss the report’s findings. In analyzing congressional behavior, the study includes psychological and sociological considerations. The study draws upon a broad range of interviews with current and former members of Congress and congressional staffers, and MAP assisted here by organizing interviewees for UMD.
MAP’s Steven Olikara spoke to a group of more than 50 college students from all across the country on criminal justice reform, hosted by the Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship.
MAP X B R O O K I N G S MAP partnered with the Brookings Institution to host a morning of programming dedicated to better understanding how Millennials think and engage around two long-term issues: climate change and the national debt. Spearheaded by Brookings Economics Studies fellow Dr. Stuart Butler, the event brought together leading members of the academic, political and nonprofit communities to discuss Millennial attitudes towards these issues, and explore what can be done to drive action going forward.
P OLITICON Steven Olikara traveled to Nashville to participate in Politicon, an annual event that brings together some of the top names in politics, to discuss and debate the most prominent current political issues. Olikara participated in four separate panels, acting as a moderator for marquee pairings. Panel participants included: Anne Coulter, David Frum, Sean Hannity, James Carville, Donna Brazile, Reince Preibus, Charlie Kirk, and Kyle Kulinski.
Leader ship in Ac t ion: Bipar t isa n sh i p an d Young Amer ic a MAP’s Senior Director, State Caucus Network, Cherisse Eatmon spoke on a panel to discuss bipartisanship and younger generations in politics. John Della Volpe, Founder of SocialSphere and Director of Polling, Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics also participated on the panel which was moderated by The Hill staff writer, Julia Manchester. (See photo on the left)
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106,000
www
Website page views from 99 countries
Most-viewed Instagram video
NATIONAL STORYTELLING
1,300
New email subscribers
#
Top trending hashtag in Washington, DC
53%
Instagram followers Rep. Adam Neylon
@AdamNeylonPress 11 Dec 2019
Highest-performing tweet
#MOBILIZINGMILLENNIALS
“I am honored to have been selected as one of this years #MAPRisingStars recipients. The @MActionProject is a great organization focused on the laudable goal of making political cooperation a norm through Millennial leadership. Thank You!” 22 MAP 2019 IMPACT REPORT
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PO DC AS T AP P E A RA N C E S
P RE S S F E AT URE S
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NEW FRONTIERS M AP G O ES G LO B A L The call to transcend political tribalism through millennial leadership has rippled across the globe and led to MAP engagements with international delegations and participants from Italy, Indonesia, Finland, Germany, Morocco, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Georgia, Ghana, Hungary, Jamaica, Kenya, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, Nepal, North Macedonia, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Taiwan, Turkey, and Vietnam.
FINLAND
ITALY
INDONESIA
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Indonesia
A recent headline in Italy: “Young people have the moral authority to act on the future. Olikara is among the most influential leaders under 30 in the world. Today he convenes with the ‘Together’ association.”
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N E E B E 'V E W S E N WE ARE THE O E H T E R A E W . R O F G N WAITI . K E E S E W T A H T E G N CHA BARACK OBAMA 24 MAP 2019 IMPACT REPORT
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U O Y S G N I H T E H T NEVER LET M O R F U O Y P O T S O CAN’T D N A C U O Y T A H W G N I DO REAGAN RONALD
Get involved: millennialaction.org
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