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On Giving Tuesday 2021, the League of Women Voters of NYS (LWVNYS)announced it has
received an anonymous $1 million donationto expand and strengthen its fight to defend
democracyand voting rights for all.
The donation comes during a time of great transformation for the organization which recently
celebrated its one hundredth anniversary in 2019. This gift will allow the League to bolster
efforts to address voter suppressionat the state and local level.With this gift, the League will
expandefforts to educate voters and work to ensure votingease and access for all New Yorkers.
Laura Ladd Bierman, Executive Directorof LWVNYS, announced today, "This gift is a new
beginningforthe State League, providing it with new resourcesto address voter access and
engagement among many elements of its mission.”
This is the largest gift LWVNYS has ever received, and although the donor wishes to remain
anonymous,they have a deep commitment to the League’s work. One of the donor's motivations
in making this gift is to draw attention to the crucial importance of the League of Women Voters
as a non-partisan organization that seeks to educate, inform and encouragecitizens to take an
active part in their governance at every level. The donor reminisced about her early experiences
with parents who believed in taking an active role as citizens."I remember walking with my
mother door to door in neighborhoods to hand out political material and to talk with people about
upcoming elections.I am grateful to my parents for nurturing a spirit of civil debate and
discourse."stated the donor.
With this gift, the League will strive toincreaseNew York State’svoter participation rates. New
York Stateranked 30thin the nation for turnout in 2020. The League plans to use a portion of this
donation to increase voter access and education so that New York can rank among the top ten
statesfor voter turnout.
The League is particularly focused onincreasingyouthparticipation in elections. In 2020, only
45% of 18 to 29-year-olds cast a ballot in New York State.1The League seeksto increase youth
voter participation to 60%in New York State through improved outreach and education.
“Over the lastdecade, the League has successfullyadvocated for the modernization ofNew York
State’s elections, resulting inpassage ofprogressive voting rights reforms that increase ballot
accessibility. Now the League is taking on the monumental task of informing voters of these
rapid operational changes while simultaneously working to provide nonpartisan election
information in the form of candidate forums and ballot guides. This donation gives the League
the foundation it needs to expand our current educational efforts and reach new, underserved
communities throughout New York State,”said Laura Ladd Bierman.
Judie Gorenstein,President of the State League said, “With the beginning of our 2nd century of
work, the state League sees this gift as a new opportunity that will create a more impactful state
League for all New Yorkers.While this is a significant gift, it does not fully fund the State
League in perpetuity. In fact, the donor hopes the gift will inspire others to support the mission
of the League.This gift provides a huge endorsement of the state League and will also benefit
local Leagues around the State."
The state League looks forward to sharing news of future developments related to this gift.To
find out more about the League and how to support it go to www.lwvny.org
