Contact Us

Interested in making a donation, have questions, or want to explore other ways to get involved? Email team@democracytakeswork.org.

© 2026

Democracy Takes Work
Democracy Takes Work

Powering the EXPANSION of worker-led movements

Democracy Takes Work (DTW) supports working people to build economic stability & durable power through collective action & organizing.

What we do

Cycle symbol

DTW brings individual donors and philanthropic foundations together with workplace organizations and unions in partnership to move significant resources to the field.

Striking workers hold signs that say "on strike for our students"
Two men clap side by side at a union membership meeting
Striking workers hold a banner that reads "Philly Labor for Higher Education and Healthcare"
Three professionals standing together
Striking workers hold signs that say "on strike for our students"
Two men clap side by side at a union membership meeting
Striking workers hold a banner that reads "Philly Labor for Higher Education and Healthcare"
Three professionals standing together
Striking workers hold signs that say "on strike for our students"
Two men clap side by side at a union membership meeting
Striking workers hold a banner that reads "Philly Labor for Higher Education and Healthcare"
Three professionals standing together

Image courtesy of May Day Strong

Why this work matters

The stakes are high. THE MOMENT IS NOW.

Union decline and economic inequality

Share of income going to the top 10%
Union membership
Source ↗

Our society was strongest when at least 30% of working people were organized into a union. Today, that number is down to just 10%, leaving democratic institutions vulnerable.

Everyone benefits when working people wield collective power. And the fight isn’t approaching — it’s now. Bolstered by rising public support, working people across the country are coming together to fight for economic security and political agency.

We need to urgently
CLOSE THE GAP.

Oakland teachers march holding a banner that reads "Public Schools are Not for Sale"
Factory workers talking together
Striking workers hold signs and give thumbs up

You believe in the
POWER
of  the collective.

Oakland teachers march holding a banner that reads "Public Schools are Not for Sale"
Factory workers talking together
Striking workers hold signs and give thumbs up

Now, be a part of it.

CONTRIBUTE

Our purpose

Reimagining the FUTURE of worker power

Mission symbol

MISSION

Support working people to build economic stability & durable power through collective action & organizing

Vision symbol

VISION

For working people to hold the most power over their own lives

North Star symbol

NORTH STAR

30% of working people affiliate with a worker organization that holds real power

About Us

Grantee stories

Stronger TOGETHER

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The notion of solidarity offers a new way of thinking about philanthropy.

Leah Hunt-Hendrix

Co-lead, DTW

DTW knows right now is the time to take risks and experiment, so we can leverage this momentum and organize rapidly, to build the power we need, to win the future we want.

Todd Wolfson

President, AAUP

Democracy Takes Work brings a spirit of innovation and experimentation to worker organizing. If the future is going to look different than the past, we urgently need more new approaches.

Roy Bahat

Head of Bloomberg Beta

The notion of solidarity offers a new way of thinking about philanthropy.

Leah Hunt-Hendrix

Co-lead, DTW

DTW knows right now is the time to take risks and experiment, so we can leverage this momentum and organize rapidly, to build the power we need, to win the future we want.

Todd Wolfson

President, AAUP

Democracy Takes Work brings a spirit of innovation and experimentation to worker organizing. If the future is going to look different than the past, we urgently need more new approaches.

Roy Bahat

Head of Bloomberg Beta

The notion of solidarity offers a new way of thinking about philanthropy.

Leah Hunt-Hendrix

Co-lead, DTW

DTW knows right now is the time to take risks and experiment, so we can leverage this momentum and organize rapidly, to build the power we need, to win the future we want.

Todd Wolfson

President, AAUP

Democracy Takes Work brings a spirit of innovation and experimentation to worker organizing. If the future is going to look different than the past, we urgently need more new approaches.

Roy Bahat

Head of Bloomberg Beta

Let's get to workWORKWORKWORK

From professors and baristas to nurses and bus drivers, DTW supports all working people to build, activate, and systematize lasting collective power. Invest in the power of the people today.