How to Give Smart

To have the greatest impact on election outcomes, donors should prioritize organizations that engage and turn out voters. The best of these groups work over multiple election cycles and use proven, tested strategies to connect to voters in person, by phone, and through text and digital media. They also work to build civic power and hold public officials accountable to voters.

It’s important to make your political donations as early as possible, long before election day. Early money is crucial to organizations because it allows them to set budgets, hire staff, recruit volunteers, and begin voter outreach months before any ballots are cast.

In 2026, donors should prioritize flipping the U.S. House to create a check on the Trump administration. See our recommendations for winning House races here. Beyond that, donors should support national groups working in states with U.S. Senate races and important state-level contests. See our top national recommendations here.

With the exception of state legislative races, Blue Tent does not recommend donating to candidates, party committees, or most PACs, which mainly spend the money they raise on ads. Donors should stay focused on supporting the most effective voter engagement work and tune out spammy email and text solicitations.

While Blue Tent recommends a limited number of top voter organizations, you can learn about many other giving options through funding intermediaries that research and identify high-impact opportunities. Here are three intermediaries that donors should explore:

Key Intermediaries

• Focus for Democracy. This is your best choice for evidence-based recommendations. If you want to prioritize groups that can reliably say how much they spend to win each vote, FFD is for you. Sign up for its regular webinars here, where FFD shares its latest recommendations. Or donate to FFD directly and let it direct your money. You can donate to FFD’s 501(c)(4) fund here or to its 501(c)(3) fund here.

• Movement Voter Project. MVP is the leading intermediary supporting grassroots groups working to engage and turn out voters, with a big focus on those working in communities of color with a social justice agenda. You can use MVP’s site to identify groups to support, or you can donate directly to MVP here.

• Oath. Giving to candidates can sometimes make sense. Oath directs donors to candidates in the most competitive races with the highest stakes, and to those who most urgently need more money. Blue Tent partners with Oath to recommend candidates running in key state legislative races.

Major donors and foundations have a broader range of intermediaries to work with than those listed here. If you have questions or need advice on which groups to support, please contact us at: donoradvisor@bluetent.us.