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We only realize the full promise of democracy when all people participate

About FCAF

The Funders’ Committee Action Fund (FCAF) was launched in 2019 to expand the philanthropic community’s capacity to engage in transformative civic engagement strategies.

Sharing a vision with its sister organization, the Funders’ Committee for Civic Participation (FCCP), FCAF is dedicated to creating a society where impacted communities have the power to influence decisions that shape their lives, a culture of participation inspires engagement, and an open, equitable democracy ensures every voice is heard.

FCAF builds on FCCP’s legacy of leadership in civic engagement philanthropy by equipping funders with the tools and strategies needed to address systemic inequities and disenfranchisement. Recognizing that achieving a robust, inclusive democracy requires a multifaceted approach, FCAF focuses on advancing lobbying, electoral work, and other critical strategies that complement traditional grantmaking. By providing opportunities for funders to convene, align strategies, and learn from one another, FCAF fosters a more coordinated and effective civic engagement funding ecosystem.

FCAF’s programming is designed to meet the needs of funders who are passionate about driving meaningful change. Through member-driven and field-informed initiatives, FCAF offers spaces to explore innovative approaches, share insights, and collaborate on impactful funding decisions. Together with FCCP, FCAF champions transparency, values diverse perspectives, and leverages research and experimentation to maximize its impact on democracy.

By emphasizing the importance of collaboration and innovation, FCAF empowers philanthropy to strengthen civic engagement efforts, dismantle barriers to participation, and build an inclusive democracy that works for all.

Meet Our Team

LaShanda A. Jackson, MBA

Executive Director

LaShanda Jackson is a social justice activist, defender of democracy, and advocate for racial equity whose career in philanthropy and organizing spans nearly two decades. Raised by a southern family of civil rights activists and community leaders, her advocacy is personal. LaShanda’s fierce advocacy for transforming democracy and returning power back to the people has brought her to the role of Executive Director of the Funders’ Committee for Civic Participation (FCCP). Before joining the FCCP, LaShanda (she/her) served as Vice President of Development for Common Cause where she led organizational fundraising strategy and operations. Before joining Common Cause in February 2017, LaShanda worked for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund as the Manager of Gift Accounting, where she oversaw financial management of an $80 million capital campaign.

Prior to that, LaShanda cultivated and provided stewardship for members and major donors as the Membership and Major Gifts Coordinator at the Public Justice Foundation. She began her nonprofit career in 2003 with the Library of Congress, primarily raising capital campaign funds for the Capitol Visitor Center and sponsorship funding for the National Book Festival. LaShanda also proudly served as an educator at Northwestern High School in Prince George’s County, MD and served as a Regional Field Director for the 2008 Obama for America campaign. LaShanda holds Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of Maryland.

LaShanda serves on the United Philanthropy Forum Board of Directors and Common Cause Maryland Advisory Board.

Anita Banerji

Senior Director of Strategy & External Relations

Anita brings an incredible wealth of experience and passion to our team. With a career centered around civic engagement, equity, and voting rights, Anita just recently served as the Senior Program Director for the Media and Tech team at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. She has also served as a consultant to the Leadership Conference and has led digital equity outreach efforts and has been a consultant to census and redistricting projects. Her extensive background includes directing the Illinois Count Me in 2020 program, a statewide Census collaborative that united foundations and a diverse coalition of non-profit organizations.

Having worked for over two decades in the U.S. Congress, Illinois state government, and the nonprofit sector, Anita’s expertise is a perfect match for our commitment to fostering inclusive civic participation. As a legislative director for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, she showcased her dedication to public service. As of Spring 2021, Anita currently serves as the Commissioner on the IL State Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes.

Tiffany Neilly

Operations Manager

Tiffany Neilly joined FCCP as Operations Manager in October 2023, bringing a diverse background in commercial property management, education program and project management, and B2B sales across healthcare and apparel industries. Known for her relationship-building skills and market adaptability, Tiffany is currently enhancing her expertise by pursuing Project Management credentials at the University of California, Irvine, with completion expected in late 2024.
Her career is complemented by a strong commitment to community service, where she has volunteered for the past 12 years, deepening her dedication to servanthood and community engagement. At FCCP, Tiffany is excited to apply her skills and passion to support the organization’s goals of fostering civic participation, equity, and democracy through philanthropic leadership.

Jenna Patel

Manager of Programs & Communications

Jenna Patel is extremely excited to be a part of an organization that centers their work around building an equitable democracy and achieving intersectional racial justice. Prior to joining FCCP as Program Coordinator, Jenna served as an AmeriCorps VISTA in Buffalo, NY where she was able to help The Community Action Organization’s (CAO) Housing Development Office build program capacity and develop a resident-engaged neighborhood-level improvement plan on Buffalo’s East Side.
Jenna graduated from Rutgers University in May 2020 as a Public Health major, as well as a Planning and Public Policy minor. Throughout her college career, Jenna held several roles that revealed the true magnitude and depth of inequities shaping systematically oppressed communities, including her roles as a Research Assistant for The Essex and Passaic Health and Wellness Coalition and Director for Rutgers Model Congress. Jenna’s ideal day involves taking a spontaneous trip to the thrift store, going on a mini food crawl, and doing any and all things thrill-inducing!

Terri Ann Lowenthal

FCCI 2030 Senior Advisor

Census

Funders’ Committee Census Initiative (FCCI) galvanizes philanthropic grantmaking and direct action through outreach, education, and mobilization. FCCI reinforces census investments as a pathway for foundations to improve their grantmaking, deepen their institutions’ commitment on a range of democracy issues, and strengthen civic infrastructure.

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Voting Rights

The fight to build a just democracy has become even more difficult. Democratic institutions and norms have come under attack and restrictive voting measures have been codified in states across the country–disenfranchising the most vulnerable communities. It is more important than ever that the full spectrum of philanthropic institutions leverage their collective power to ensure our democracy is more reflective of and in deeper service to communities.

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Emerging Electorate

Recognizing the critical importance of engaging youth voters, immigrant communities, and formerly incarcerated individuals, our emerging electorate program aims to create an inclusive and representative democracy by focusing on these key groups.

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Philanthropic Practice

FCCP supports our community with the practical aspects of grantmaking to ensure effective and impactful philanthropy. Our philanthropic practice priority focuses on the “nuts and bolts” of grantmaking.

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Our Board

  • Esperanza K. Tervalon

  • Trevor Ostbye

  • Keely Monroe

  • Ted Wang

  • Jesse Beason

  • Estevan Muñoz-Howard

Become a Member

Join us in the fight to shape a democracy where justice and equity prevail. Give a voice to historically disenfranchised communities and drive impactful change through philanthropy.

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