Social Justice Fund: Voter Engagement Empowerment and Enrichment Movement
Maryn Formley in the East Hills neighborhood of Pittsburgh where she is recruiting canvassers to increase the neighborhood's voter turnout.
The Pittsburgh Foundation’s Social Justice Fund awarded $25,000 to Voter Engagement Empowerment and Enrichment Movement in 2021. The organization was created to increase voter turnout in the Greater Pittsburgh area.
The Voter Empowerment Education and Enrichment Movement (VEEEM) is a faith-based, nonpartisan organization with a mission of increasing voter turnout in Allegheny County, especially in communities with low voter-turnout rates. It seeks to propel people to the polls through learning opportunities that support individuals of all ages. This includes a Voter Education Series in partnership with faith-based organizations to offer trainings that prepare individuals to participate in elections. During the pandemic, these trainings became virtual and greatly expanded the organization’s reach. VEEEM also provides door-to-door canvassing and engages youth through its Young Voters Engagement Collective programs and voter education resources.
The Social Justice Fund focuses on providing support for organizations engaged in advocacy, mobilization and healing work. Since its launch in 2018, SJF has awarded many organizations with necessary funding.