Governance & Democracy Initiative
Forecasted
Governance & Democracy Initiative supports researchers and institutions in funding research and implementation to strengthen democratic participation and local governance across five Southern California counties.
Funder: John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): January 2027 (LOI/full proposal) | April 2027 (LOI/full proposal) | June 2027 (LOI/full proposal) | October 2027 (LOI/full proposal)
Funding Amounts: Planning: up to $100,000 for one year; Research-to-Action: up to $250,000 annually for up to two years, with possible third-year renewal
Summary: Supports research and implementation that strengthen democratic participation and local governance across five Southern California counties.
Key Information: Awards are made to institutions, not individuals; academic principal investigators must hold a PhD.
Description
The Haynes Foundation’s Governance & Democracy Initiative supports solution-focused research that strengthens democratic participation and improves government performance in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties. Its priorities include voter-approved Los Angeles County governance reform, known as Measure G, and policy innovation that makes local government more effective, transparent, and accountable.
The initiative connects rigorous research with public action: projects should develop evidence-based solutions and help implement them to improve community well-being. It encourages researchers, policymakers, and affected communities to shape research together, expand public dialogue, and identify lessons from Los Angeles County that can benefit neighboring counties. Planning Grants support projects in development, while Research-to-Action Grants support projects ready for implementation. Invitation-only Commissioned Projects currently focus on implementing LA County governance reform.
