ABOUT THE OHIO VOTER FUND
Connecting Communities. Building Civic Participation.
WHO WE ARE
The Ohio Voter Fund, (OVF) along with its fiscal agent the Promise of Democracy Foundation’s mission is to increase civic participation among underserved and communities of color through non-partisan voter registration, voter education, and GOTV programs; issue advocacy, electoral training, and community engagement.
Since its initial formation in 2010, OVF has built a statewide network of civic and voter advocates that prides itself in being active in numerous collaborations and networks of strategic partners aligned with program objectives to promote democratic values, voting rights and increased electoral participation.
OVF has built longstanding strong alliances with the Cleveland Foundation, Cleveland Votes, Ohio Voice, the Ohio Unity Coalition, the Ohio Voting Rights Coalition, Election Protection, and Black Voters Matter Capacity Building Institute.
Other issue based allied coalition partners over the years have included the Ohio Citizens Redistricting Commission, the Ohio Census Advocacy Coalition, Fair Elections Ohio, Equal Districts Ohio, Fair Districts Ohio, the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, the Ohio Climate Justice Coalition, The Soul of Philanthropy, and Better Health Partnership.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
OVF believes that full civic engagement levels the foundation from which we build a truly representative democracy that empowers underserved communities to fully participate in democracy and build economic and political power. By increasing the level of voter turnout in elections, OVF helps to strengthen our communities in policy matters and power sharing that works to eliminate racial and economic disparities. Over the years OVF’s outreach has increased voter turnout in targeted precincts and added more context to their voting experience.
HOW WE WORK
By working in coalitions with allies undertaking voter registration, voter education and advocacy programs, OVF is active in helping inform communities of color around critical legislation and ballot measures. OVF field teams distributes non-partisan election voter guides and know your rights pamphlets, conducts door-to-door canvassing, phone banking, SMS text messaging, vote tripling and other relational outreach.
Most recently OVF partnered with Cleveland Votes and Healthy Democracy Healthy People on the Community Health Workers VOTE pilot program in 2024. OVF and PDF took the lead in helping to develop and administer a pilot registration program utilizing Community Health Workers within their health/wellness facilities and surrounding community. In 2025 OVF expanded the program by coordinating a digital voter registration and engagement program in
OUR PARTNERSHIPS
OVF promotes civic engagement by collaborating with community organizations and civic leaders to empower Ohioans in democracy. With sponsor support, OVF connects more communities to opportunities for their voices to be heard.
