Part 5: Why I Do What I Do

Everyone at NPC was asked to write a blog post about “Why I do what I do,” and this month it’s my turn . . .

I’ve been avoiding writing this for a while because, as you can probably imagine, after four months on a new job and nine months out of college, “why I do what I do” changes about every two weeks. I had a moment of clarity, though, last week while listening to Laura Flanders speak about her book, Blue Grit. There was obviously some discussion of the primary contest at the event, but I was impressed by how Laura kept emphasizing that we needed to be “keeping our eyes on the prize and the prize isn’t only the presidential election.”

I wrote down that phrase because it seemed like a great marketing description for NPC’s Victory in 2008 and Beyond “Political Mutual Fund,” but as I walked home that evening, I couldn’t get the line out of my head. It just made so much sense to me, and that, in a nutshell, is why I’m at NPC.

May 2007 was a great time to graduate from college for anyone with any sort of civic/political inclination because there was so much momentum for change in the political sphere and so many opportunities to get involved. While my initial thought was to work for one of the presidential campaigns, I couldn’t ever really commit myself to the idea that one candidate would be the answer, the person that was going to take us forward.

Though I found out about NPC by a lucky coincidence, what really sold me on moving across the country (after three phone interviews) was NPC’s optimistic and pragmatic approach to change. I was excited to be at a company that interfaced with such innovative and interesting groups in a place that is on the leading edge of the progressive movement.

What I love about the NPC team is everyone’s willingness to just roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty to find a solution, despite all of their cumulative years of experience with the problems in the current system. Though we don’t waste any time defining it, there is a real consciousness of and focus on “the prize” that shapes and drives all of NPC’s activities. It has been really inspiring to be part of a product that offers a tangible, viable way to move our country forward.

The Web in Politics

In every election cycle web technologies and online campaign strategies become increasingly effective. The web has created unprecedented access to the candidates and the issues; over-night online contributions in the multiple millions of dollars; and viral campaign messaging that spreads to massive audiences through video and social networking sites.

Hillary Clinton announced her candidacy on her website, indicating how important the web would be in her strategy. A viral music video ‘I Got a Crush on Obama’ has had over 6 million plays on YouTube. Both candidates raised over 6 million dollars a piece in the two days following Superbowl through their sites.

There are many web strategies that can be used to propagate momentum behind causes. Some of which are highlighted in the article “11 Web technologies political campaigns should consider” posted at TechnologyEvangelist.com.

Now, following the launch of our "Political Mutual Funds”, NPC's marketing strategies will leverage the web to maximize the impact of each fund on its core issue.

Drupal

Just heard about an exciting new software company, Acquia, which will provide products and services to enhance the Drupal platform.

NPC's platform is built mostly in Drupal, which makes it easier for non-engineers to edit and manage content on our site.

On a lighter note, Drupal also has its own music video which is pretty amusing (but likely to get stuck in your head).

"Political Mutual Funds" Press Coverage

Today is an exciting day at NPC. We have launched our "Political Mutual Funds" and have received amazing coverage of our launch including:

• The New York Times, Mutual Funds for Political Giving
• San Francisco Chronicle, Mutual Funds Tailored to Political Philosophies
• Daily Kos, Invest in a Progressive Future...
• San Jose Mercury News, New Way to Give to Progressives
  

Here are some other outlets that have picked up our news, many of which are featuring us in their headline news:

• ABC News
• CBS News
• CNN
• Forbes
• MSN
• MSNBC
• Philadelphia Inquirer
• TIME
• USA TODAY

Stay tuned and visit our “Political Mutual Funds” to experience investing in an easy and strategic way.

NPC "Political Mutual Funds" Launch

Check out our press release below:

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 19, 2007--Giving to political and charitable organizations no longer has to feel random, reactive, or confusing. Today, New Progressive Coalition, LLC (NPC), an online political giving advisor, introduces its first "Political Mutual Funds," which are unique and powerful portfolios of organizations that are working to address three pressing domestic challenges: energy independence and the environment, health care, and nonpartisan civic engagement and election-related issues.

NPC found that its customers were overloaded with donation requests and didn't know which organizations were effective or how to make strategic contributions. NPC researches, evaluates, and selects organizations for each of its funds so that its customers don't have to. With one click, the actively managed funds provide an easy way for citizens to harness their collective power and make a strategic impact without having to navigate the complex political and policy landscape.

"Individuals are searching for a way to make an impact that is more strategic than just responding to an email asking for money," said Kirstin Falk, CEO of NPC. "People want to see how their contributions translate into action and our 'Political Mutual Funds' do just that."

More than 120 organizations from across the country applied to be included in NPC's first three "Political Mutual Funds." NPC used its proprietary Political Return on Investment (PROI)™ methodology to analyze organizations and determine the success of their specific goals. The final holdings of each fund were then selected by NPC with guidance from leading issue-experts.

"During the current U.S. presidential election cycle alone, billions will be spent by the campaigns and countless independent organizations," said Andy Rappaport, a noted Silicon Valley venture capitalist and political donor and, with his wife Deborah, the major investor in NPC. "By providing a mechanism for every citizen to make informed decisions about where to make donations, to measure and track the effectiveness of these donations, and to be able to join with other contributors to have a real impact no matter what they can afford, NPC is contributing in a very real way to welcoming citizen participation back into the political and policy making process."

Progressive change requires investment. Remember what happened in the 1990s when the small investor got access to financial research and expertise? A whole new wave of individuals became investors. Just as companies like Charles Schwab provide investment research, analysis, and portfolio management, NPC provides the same services in the political and public policy arena. NPC's "Political Mutual Funds" are continuously managed. Depending on the performance of the first round of holdings, or to take advantage of opportunities that arise, organizations may be added or removed to improve the "political return" of the fund. Contributors will have access to "Impact Reports" in order to constantly monitor how their contributions are making an impact.

As of today, NPC is introducing the following "Political Mutual Funds":

The Energy Independence & Environment "Political Mutual Fund" invests in organizations that work to ensure a greener planet and an energy-independent country. Organizations in the fund include: Arizona League of Conservation Voters, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, Energize America, Energy Action, Green Corps, Institute for America's Future, League of Conservation Voters, Rainforest Action Network, Science & Environmental Health Network, Vote Solar Initiative, and Western Organization of Resource Councils.

The Health Care "Political Mutual Fund" invests in organizations that are moving the United States towards an affordable and accessible health care system. Organizations in the fund include: America's Agenda Health Care Education Fund, Campaign for America's Future, Consumers for an Affordable Health Care Coalition, Herndon Alliance, Progressive States Network, Small Business Majority, Tennessee Justice Center & Tennessee Health Care Campaign Collaborative, and Universal Health Care Action Network.

The Victory in 2008 & Beyond "Political Mutual Fund" invests in organizations supporting progressive policies and infrastructure. The 501c(3)s listed engage exclusively in nonpartisan voter education and civic engagement activities. Other organizations support candidates and progressive policy change. Organizations in the fund include: 21stCentury Democrats, ActBlue, Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, Bus Project, Democracy: A Journal of Ideas, Democratic GAIN, Faithful Democrats, League of Young Voters, Mainstreet Moms (the MMOB), MAPLight.org, Media Consortium, Netroots Nation, ProgressiveU.org, Take Back Red California, Voter Action, Wellstone Action, Women's Campaign Forum, and Young People For.

About NPC
Using a financial services model, NPC acts as a political giving advisor by providing its customers with products and services to target their political and charitable time and money more effectively. Behind NPC's products and services is its proprietary Political Return on Investment (PROI)™ methodology. The PROI™ methodology helps individuals understand the impact of their investments while also promoting transparency and accountability among organizations.

More information about NPC is available at http://www.newprogressivecoalition.com/.

What is a "Progressive"?

Given that we have "progressive" in our name, you can probably imagine how often we get asked this question. Center for American Progress recently launched a new ad campaign: "Progressive. And Proud of It."




To watch more, go here.

NPC Hires a New Associate

We welcome our newest addition, Aarthi Ananthanarayanan, to the NPC Team. Aarthi is a recent graduate of Tufts University and will be supporting NPC in our general operations. We are excited to have Aarthi on board.

NPC Featured in The Blue Funds' Book

Check out The Blue Way, a recently published book from our partners The Blue Fund, illuminating a new progressive approach to financial investing.

As we’re gearing up for our launch, it’s interesting (and exciting) to read in this book about our Political "Mutual Funds" concept that is very close to becoming a reality:

NPC will also be able to roll out “political mutual funds,” portfolios of progressive organizations whose success is tracked using the political return on investment metrics. Like stock market mutual funds, these portfolios will exist to spread and manage risk; political investors will be able to put their money into a wide range of organizations with the confidence that the money won’t be wasted if one or two groups go belly-up.

It also feels great to hear that some of our ideas about political investing are finally catching on:

Similarly, the first step in overhauling our transmission is for progressives to look at political spending as an investment, not a donation. Kirstin Falk, executive director [sic] of the New Progressive Coalition (NPC), an early leader in the new blue financial infrastructure, explains the essential difference in attitude: "Donors have created the transactional relationship, which is basically about getting asked for money, writing a check, and that’s it. Investors provide time and expertise, not just money.… They have a long time horizon and bring a strategic view of what their money is supposed to accomplish."

The Art of Being Read

This post by Seth Godin about simple writing is something we’ve been trying to do at NPC. I think we’ve made good progress seeing as our tagline went from “Wiring the progressive movement to turn progressive potential into political reality” to “Your political giving advisors.”

Political "Mutual Funds": Third-Party Verification

As we worked to develop our PROI™ methodology over the last 18 months, we were often asked, “If organizations are reporting their own PROI™ data, how will you be able to make sure that it is accurate and they are not making up or exaggerating their data?”

Data integrity is a legitimate concern. To address this, we instituted an independent data verification process. Every organization that is selected to move on to our final round of the Political “Mutual Funds” application process will have its PROI™ data independently verified by our partner, Social Venture Technology Group.


While not every piece of data is audited, the verification process tracks the source and credibility of the reported data. It also verifies that the data is a reflection of the organization’s work. Based on the results of this independent verification, SVT Group will assign one of three ratings to each organization: 1) Data verified with no concerns; 2) Data verified with some concerns; or 3) Data provided could not be verified.

Stay tuned… Next week we will be announcing the organizations that made it to this final round of our Political “Mutual Funds” application process.

An Uninterrupted Customer Experience

I read this NY Times article over the weekend. Many concepts struck me, but this quote left the biggest impression:

"We want to find a way to enhance the experience and services, rather than looking for a way to interrupt people from getting to where they want to go,” said Stefan Olander, global director for brand connections at Nike. “How can we provide a service that the consumer goes, ‘Wow, you really made this easier for me’?"

That is exactly what we are trying to create with our products at NPC. Think about how people are often "interrupted" to make a political contribution. They receive an urgent email, a desperate call from an organization, or hear from a friend scrambling to raise money for an event they agreed to host.

Everyone has access to political information now, but rather than helping people make better decisions, it has paralyzed them, and frustrated them.

Here at NPC we want to create a customer experience that allows individuals to be proactive, instead of reactive, in their political giving.

PROI™ Data Crunch

I’ve been meaning to blog about how we are building out our Political “Mutual Funds” for a few days now, but I have been in Excel and Access hell trying to analyze all of this PROI™ data (along with our VP of Engineering, who gave up many late hours and a few Sundays to be my de facto tutor). In the end, after many near-breakdowns, we successfully analyzed data for over 65 organizations who took the time to collect and report on a combination of nearly 800 quantitative and qualitative fields.

It was pretty remarkable to see that the data collected can really help you understand the characteristics of these organizations, at both micro and macro levels. Are they start-ups? Do they attract volunteers? Do they have seasoned staff? Do they have the potential to be game-changing? Have they been effective in the past?

You can also start comparing their data with other organizations in their sector. What organizations have the highest rate of electoral victories? Who’s been especially effective at persuading people? Who has a healthy overhead ratio? You can even start to see trends within each sector. For example, we are seeing that that infrastructure/capacity building organizations in this round tended to have higher overhead ratios than electoral ones.

The process hasn’t been perfect. We have had to scrub, and even throw out significant amounts of data because some of our questions were not clear or, for example, organizations entered “lots” when we asked how many volunteers they had. This data analysis process also highlighted the difficulty that some organizations have in even keeping track of certain types of information that our customers need to make decisions.

The Working Group is meeting this Friday to confirm that our methodology and process is sound. We are also recommending to the group what organizations should go on to the next round, at which point SVT Group will independently verify the credibility and sources of their data. Based on the PROI™ analysis, SVT’s verification, and guidance from the Working Group, we should have the “final holdings” for our first Political “Mutual Funds” ready soon.

Political "Mutual Funds" Update

Over 65 organizations have completed the intensive PROI™ data collection process. NPC would like to congratulate these organizations for their hard work and participation in our PROI™ methodology. Many of the organizations told us it took more time than we originally anticipated it would, so I’d like to personally thank them for their commitment.


NPC is now analyzing the PROI™ data and it’s been interesting to see how the data helps articulate the value of their work. Soon the Political “Mutual Funds” Working Group and subject experts will be selecting the organizations moving on to the third round of the Political "Mutual Funds" application process.

We are getting close to launching the first of our Political “Mutual Funds.” Stay tuned.

Organizations that completed data collection for PROI™:
ActBlue
America's Agenda Health Care Education Fund
American Medical Women's Association
Arizona League of Conservation Voters
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center
Bus PAC
Bus Project
Campaign for America's Future
Center for Rural Strategies
Colorado Conservation Voters
Conservation Council of North Carolina
Conservation Voters New Mexico
Consumers for an Affordable Health Care Coalition
Consumers for an Affordable Health Care Foundation
Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund
Democracy: A Journal of Ideas
Democratic GAIN
Democrats Work
Ella Baker Center for Human Rights
Energize America
Energy Action
FairVote
Faithful Democrats
Focus Project/OMB Watch
Green Corps
Green Media Toolshed
Health Action New Mexico
Herndon Alliance
Institute for America's Future
Into the Blue
Justice Through Music
League of Conservation Voters
League of Conservation Voters (WA)
League of Conservation Voters Education Fund
League of Young Voters
Mainstreet Moms
MAPLight.org
Media Consortium
My Rural America Action Fund
Netroots Nation
New Voice of Business
Northwest Health Law Advocates
Oregon League of Conservation Voters
Party2Win
Progressive States Network
Progressive Technology Project
ProgressiveU.org
ProgressOhioEducation, Inc.
Rainforest Action Network (RAN)
Science & Environmental Health Network
Secretary of State Project
Sierra Student Coalition
Small Business Majority
Speak Out California
Students for a New American Politics PAC (SNAP PAC)
Take Back Red California
Tennessee Health Care Campaign
Tennessee Justice Center
Tennessee Justice Center & Tennessee Health Care Campaign Collaborative
Twenty-First Century Democrats
Universal Health Care Action Network
USAction
VelvetRevolution.us
Voter Action
Vote Solar Initiative
Wellstone Action
Western Organization of Resource Councils (WORC)
Women's Campaign Forum
Women's Campaign Forum Foundation
Young People For

Part 2: Why I Do What I Do

As you’ve seen on our blog, New Progressive Coalition, LLC has spent the past few weeks hiring an Associate. Just a year and a half ago, I was applying for that position here at NPC- a company that matched my ideas of progressive change. In my new role as the Operations Manager, I’ve been able to look at the hiring process from the other side of the table and reflect on my own journey through the Associate position and why I do what I do here at NPC…

Last year, as I approached graduating from college, I knew two things about what I wanted to do: I wanted to work in politics and I didn’t want to work in DC. With many of my poli sci classmates signing on to jobs on the Hill, I decided that I wanted to focus less on the deals and votes happening in DC and more on the political movements around the country.

If you meet me in person, one of the first things I’ll probably tell you about myself is that I was born and raised in Kentucky. I love the Bluegrass State (who wouldn't love a state with great basketball, the Kentucky Derby, and the world's best bourbon?) and I have hopes of returning someday to help the many progressives doing great work there. Growing up in Kentucky and being constantly surrounded by a full spectrum of political views, I have found that change seems to happen most effectively when a movement proves its benefit to the entire community, not just to those that already agree with the end result. A successful movement begins with an idea for a change; it moves forward with a strategic vision of engagement. Much of what attracted me to NPC was the possibility of helping organizations relay their strategies and effectiveness to potential funders.

After heading to college at a small liberal arts school in New England, I found that being liberal in Kentucky was very different from being liberal in Massachusetts. While my political views definitely swing toward the left, I found that I consider myself to be a progressive in the same way that NPC defines progressive: I want change for the better, and I recognize that no single party or political view always has the best answer.

I distinctly remember the first time I talked to Angie Schiavoni, now our VP of Operations, and Catalina Ruiz-Healy, now our VP of Product Development. What struck me most during my conversation with them was their admission that NPC is not the silver bullet in progressive politics- it is a company with a realistic goal of making a change and that there is no one organization, group or idea that can create an unstoppable progressive movement.

What drives me at NPC is knowing that not only am I interacting everyday with some of the most passionate progressives across the country, but that I’m working for a company that practices what it preaches. We are constantly looking for feedback from our network to be sure that we are in touch with what our communities are striving toward. NPC is a company that fosters ideas and innovation from within, engaging the progressive community and keeping the political world moving forward.

The Customer Experience… Even the Napkins Matter

The team often jokes about my unrelenting attention to minute details, but as this blog post illuminates, the little things do matter. At NPC, we are building a rewarding customer experience that is both online and offline.

NPC has a New Board

We are thrilled to announce the formation of our board. After months of searching and weeks of interviews, we have solidified this all-star team:

Deborah and Andy Rappaport, Board Chairs
Daniel Goldman, Board Member
Kirstin Falk, Board Member
Sep Kamvar, Board Advisor
Karen Park, Board Member
Jason Shellen, Board Member

We're looking forward to our first official board meeting on October 2, 2007.

NPC is Growing

NPC is seeking new additions to our dynamic team. We are currently accepting resumes for an Associate, QA Manager, Build/Release Manager, and part-time PHP Developer. Check out the postings on our site.

How to Balance Confidentiality with Transparency

A lot has happened since our open call for applications for NPC’s three Political “Mutual Funds” in August. Overall, the response from organizations about our PROI™ methodology (used as part of the selection process) and the application process has been incredibly positive.

• 124 organizations submitted the initial application for the funds.
• Of these, 102 attended web-based orientation sessions hosted by NPC and partner SVT.
• More than 80 organizations have expressed their intention to officially go through the PROI™ analysis (see below).

The question of confidentiality and security has emerged as a key concern for some organizations. Organizations have cited concerns involving competition, opposing groups, or potential investors seeing their data. Two organizations have decided not to go forward because of confidentiality concerns. Understandably, they don’t want the display of their information to hurt them.

Although the actual data will not be immediately visible to the public, we will be adding the ability to display our PROI™ analysis to the Progressive Directory in the near future. We understand the hesitancy to share this type of information and are taking confidentiality concerns very seriously. At the same time, though, donors have consistently told us that the lack of transparency is one of the key issues that prevents them from being active investors in organizations.

Our Working Group came back with a suggestion:
Once we add the ability to display our PROI™ analysis, organizations will be allowed to opt-out of publicly displaying detailed PROI™ information. NPC will simply communicate that these organizations chose to not release their information.

So, what do you think?

1. Should organizations be able to hide all or parts of their data or analysis?
2. Does allowing organizations to withhold certain information hurt the goal of creating a more transparent process when we know that lack of transparency is one of the key barriers to entry for investors?

Keep the feedback coming.



Organizations participating in PROI™ for the Political "Mutual Fund":
ActBlue
America Votes
American Medical Women's Association
Arizona League of Conservation Voters
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center
Bus Project
Campaign for America's Future
Campus Climate Challenge
Center for Rural Strategies
Citizen Action of Wisconsin
Colorado Conservation Voters
Commonweal Institute
Conservation Council of North Carolina
Conservation Voters New Mexico
Consumers for an Affordable Health Care
Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund
Democracy: A Journal of Ideas
Democratic GAIN
Drum Major Institute for Public Policy
Energize America
FairVote
Faithful Democrats
Forward Montana
Health Action New Mexico
Healthcare for All Pennsylvania
Herndon Alliance
Institute for America's Future
Into the Blue
Justice Through Music
League of Conservation Voters
League of Conservation Voters (WA)
League of Conservation Voters Education Fund
League of Young Voters
Mainstreet Moms
Map the Vote, LLC
MAPLight.org
Media Consortium
Montana Conservation Voters Inc.
My Rural America Action Fund
Netroots Nation
New Leaders Council
New Voice of Business
Non-Profit Voter Engagement Network
Northwest Health Law Advocates
Ohio League of Conservation Voters
Oil Change International
OMB Watch
Party2Win
Progressive America Fund/Open Ballot Project
Progressive Majority
Progressive States Network
ProgressiveU.org
ProgressOhioEducation, Inc.
PTP: Progressive Technology Project
Rainforest Action Network (RAN)
Science & Environmental Health Network
Secretary of State Project
Sierra Student Coalition
Small Business Majority
Speak Out California
Students for a New American Politics PAC (SNAP PAC)
Take Back Red California
Tennessee Health Care Campaign
Tennessee Justice Center
Traction
Twenty-First Century Democrats
U.S. Student Association Foundation (USSAF)
UHCAN Ohio
Universal Health Care Action Network
USAction
VelvetRevolution.us
Verified Voting Foundation
Vote Solar Initiative
Voter Action
We Are America Alliance
Wellstone Action
Western Organization of Resource Councils (WORC)
Women's Campaign Forum
Women's Campaign Forum Foundation

NPC in Action

Have you checked out NPC’s network in action? Watch this video from our NPC 2.0 Launch Party in March:



Since March we have come a long way. Right now, we are focused on developing our flagship product, Political "Mutual Funds," and will be announcing our schedule of events this fall.

Political "Mutual Funds" Update: Is Money Guaranteed?

The phones at New Progressive Coalition have been ringing off the hook this past week. It's been great for the team here to see the eagerness and enthusiasm of organizations involved in the current phase of the Political "Mutual Funds" selection process.

We are currently in the second phase of the application process. This is where organizations collect and upload their information for a complimentary PROI™ analysis which is used by the Working Group to help select the final Political "Mutual Funds" "holdings." Beyond our original PROI™ beta testers, this is the first time we’ve gone through this process with such a large group.

While so far the process has been working very smoothly, we have heard one consistent question from applicants: Is funding guaranteed for the organizations included in the final product launch?

This is a valid concern for organizations who may not want to go through this time consuming process without being certain that it will be useful to them. Although we are not able to guarantee a specific amount of money, over the past year we have listened to our customers (and focus groups), and are confident that our product will solve donors’ needs. Also, the Working Group developed the PROI™ process so that the analysis will be useful to organizations regardless of whether there is a guaranteed pot of money at the end. We believe in this process and hope that organizations will participate in PROI™ to not only better their visions and operations, but to also help us change current progressive giving patterns.

We enjoy receiving all of these calls and emails. Our products and services evolve based on feedback from our network because we believe that staying aligned with our community is absolutely critical to our success. Let us know if you have any more suggestions or insights.