P.A.C.E.’s Annual Report (2024)

2024

ANNUAL REPORT

Build. Change. Win.

Dear Partners, Supporters, and Friends

2024 was a landmark year for P.A.C.E. We are filled with immense gratitude for the partnerships, dedication, and shared commitment that made 2024 so transformative for us.

From expanding our team to launching dozens of innovative advocacy, communications and engagement campaigns, we continued to support over 30 local organizations and leaders. With partners, we empowered families, built capacity, secured winning advocacy campaigns and drove voter engagement in historically under-resourced communities. We helped partners to protect and/or secure access to 150,000 high-quality seats.

Together, we supported ten partners in November’s critical election, reaching approximately 144,000 voters. While national races drew the most attention, we concentrated on down-ballot elections that directly impacted students and families. We’re proud that six out of nine partner-endorsed candidates won their races—a testament to the power of grassroots advocacy and collaboration.

As we reflect on 2024, we must also acknowledge the challenges we and our partners faced, as well as the lessons learned, which will inform our path forward. Despite the uncertainty of this moment, we remain steadfast in our mission for an America where every family can access a great education and participate fully in our democracy.

We see great opportunity in the year ahead and are committed to our important work underway with partners in Milwaukee, New York City, Fort Worth and beyond. We’re also thrilled to be part of the Policy Innovators Network (PIE) and look forward to contributing to and learning from other organizations in PIE.

Thank you for your continued support, partnership, and belief in our work.

Reshma Singh and Sean Andersen

Introduction

supported

30+

partners

protected and/or secured access to

150,000

high-quality seats

reached

144,000

voters

helped

6 out of 9

candidates win their races

Our Mission and Vision

We envision an America where every family can access a great education and participate fully in our democracy. Here’s what that looks like:

Every community has access to high-quality schools and resources;

Families are empowered to advocate for their children’s education and future;

Communities, historically underrepresented in democratic processes, are actively engaged, voting, and driving systemic change.

How Our Mission Guides Us

At P.A.C.E., we believe that education is a cornerstone of democracy. Working with local leaders and community partnerships, we are shaping a future where equity and opportunity become realities. In 2024, our mission served as the foundation for:

Growing Local Advocacy Power

By partnering with organizations like Fort Worth Education Partnership, City Forward Collective, and The Chicago Public Education Fund, we advocated for improved education policies and services.

Fostering Voter Participation

Through proven strategies, we mobilized tens of thousands of voters and helped increase turnout among underrepresented groups in cities like San Antonio, New York and Nashville last November.

Strengthening Elected Leadership

Through our C4, P.A.C.E. Advocacy, our support for partner-endorsed candidates in D.C. and Providence elections contributed to meaningful wins, ensuring leaders committed to change and to their local constituents are ready to serve.

Building Local Capacity

In our 2024 partner survey, 100% of respondents reported that P.A.C.E. helped build their team’s capacity and supported them in reaching their goals. By partnering with organizations like Fort Worth Education Partnership, City Forward Collective, and The Chicago Public Education Fund, we helped grow advocacy power and secure improved education policies and services.

Expanding High Quality Seats

P.A.C.E. partners increased access to over 150,000 high quality seats in 2024, ensuring that more families and students can choose and receive an excellent public education.

CHANGE

Build

An America where every family can access great education and participate fully in our democracy.

Increase in public awareness locally and nationally on the needs of students and families

Increase in the effectiveness of local leaders

Increase in voter participation in national, state, and municipal elections

Increase in the number of high-quality seats in our communities

STRATEGY & CAMPAIGN MANAGEMENT

Local leaders can run effective campaigns that increase the quality of their engagement with their base

RESEARCH

Increased voter participation, particularly in marginalized communities, by voters who aren’t voting

COMMUNICATIONS

Stronger local and state policy that supports high-quality seats in public schools

CREATIVE CONTENT

Expansion of local advocacy and organizing infrastructure in local communities

ORGANIZING & MOBILIZING

Increased public awareness of issues that parents care about most in their community

THEORY OF ACTION

BUILD

STRATEGY & CAMPAIGN MANAGEMENT

Local leaders can run effective campaigns that increases the quality of their engagement with their base

ORGANIZING & MOBILIZING

Increased public awareness of issues that parents care about most in their community

RESEARCH

Increased in voter participation particularly in marginalized communities by voters who aren’t voting

COMMUNICATIONS

Stronger local and state policy that supports high quality seats in public schools

CREATIVE CONTENT

Expansion of local advocacy and organizing infrastructure in local communities

CHANGE

Increase in public awareness locally and nationally on the needs of students and families

Increase in voter participation in national, state and municipal elections

Increase in the effectiveness of local leaders

Increase in the number of high quality seats in our communities

WIN

An America where every family can access great education and participate fully in our democracy.

THEORY OF ACTION

STRATEGY & CAMPAIGN MANAGEMENT

COMMUNICATIONS

CREATIVE CONTENT

RESEARCH

ORGANIZING & MOBILIZING

BUILD

Local leaders can build effective campaigns that increase the quality of their engagement with their base.

Stronger local and state policies that support protecting and expanding access to high-quality seats.

Building advocacy and organizing capacity and infrastructure in local communities.

Increase in voter registration and turnout rates, particularly among minority and low-income voters.

Elevating issues that families care about most in their community and elevating them.

CHANGE

Increase in public awareness locally and nationally on the needs of students and families.

Increase in advocacy and community engagement as a result of awareness.

Increase in effectiveness of local leaders to win campaigns and effect change.

Increase in voter participation in national, state and municipal elections.

Increase in the number of high-quality seats in schools.

WIN

An America where every family can access great education and participate fully in our democracy.

Campaign Wins For Partners: Empowering Communities Through Advocacy

In 2024, we supported local organizations and partners to run several successful advocacy, communications and engagement campaigns, with outcomes like policy advancements, school renewals, and increased community engagement. Here are a few examples of our support of partners.

gathered

petition signatures

and organizing leads citywide

CITY FORWARD COLLECTIVE

P.A.C.E. supported City Forward Collective in Milwaukee to build an integrated advocacy, communications and family/community engagement campaign that will lead to high-quality school growth and improved student performance outcomes. Together, we’ve worked to build an organizing program designed to drive grassroots action, so far gathering 798 petition signatures and organizing leads citywide. CFC’s advocacy efforts are strategically aligned to various, ongoing communications campaigns around improved school quality, accountability and standards, and electoral efforts for increasing voter participation in select municipal and statewide races.

The Atlanta Thrive

P.A.C.E. partnered with The Atlanta Thrive to address parent concerns about inequitable special education services in Atlanta Public Schools. The “Don’t Dis-the-ability” campaign was launched to raise awareness among parents and stakeholders and call for policy action to improve these services.

signatures

Thrive organically gathered 758 signatures to audit APS’s special education services. APS conducted the requested audit and earned positive engagement from the new Superintendent and a commitment to prioritizing SpEd policies and practices.

advocates

Thrive hosted a town hall event attended by 52 advocates, fostering direct dialogue between stakeholders and APS leadership about improving SpEd in the next school year.

The Atlanta Thrive

advocates

Thrive hosted a town hall event attended by 52 advocates, fostering direct dialogue between stakeholders and APS leadership about improving SpEd in the next school year.

signatures

P.A.C.E provided essential communications and strategic support for our special education campaign with Atlanta Public Schools. Their expertise, insights, and creativity contributed to a successful effort that brought meaningful change to APS’s most vulnerable scholars.

John Davis

Director of Operations
The Atlanta Thrive

letters

CHARTER SCHOOL GROWTH FUND

Through a partnership with Charter School Growth Fund, we have supported nearly a dozen school networks in advancing their advocacy efforts. In this section, we share highlights from work with Ednovate, Harmony Public Schools, and DSST Public Schools.

community advocates

Faced with the challenge of renewing three Los Angeles campuses amid a contentious school board climate, Ednovate needed a robust advocacy strategy. P.A.C.E. mobilized Ednovate’s community, resulting in 8,720 letters from parents, families, and staff to LAUSD board members. At the pivotal renewal hearing, 40 community advocates were ready to testify, demonstrating strong community backing. Ednovate won a unanimous executive session approval for all three campuses—an extraordinary victory in a politically charged environment.

P.A.C.E. has been an invaluable collaborator in strategizing our advocacy efforts for our renewals. They helped us build tools to mobilize our community partners and shared ideas that helped our actions.

Jenny Aguas

Senior Director of Family Engagement & Advocacy,
Ednovate

CHARTER SCHOOL GROWTH FUND

community advocates

letters

Through a partnership with Charter School Growth Fund, we have supported nearly a dozen school networks in advancing their advocacy efforts. Below are highlights from work with — Ednovate, Harmony Public Schools, and DSST Public Schools

In Texas, Harmony Public Schools worked with P.A.C.E. to engage alumni in a dynamic campaign tied to the 2024 election. The campaign prioritized voter registration efforts, ensuring that Harmony’s alumni were empowered to vote and informed about issues impacting their communities. By tapping into the alumni network, P.A.C.E. helped Harmony amplify its influence statewide, showcasing the intersection of education advocacy and voter participation.

P.A.C.E. partnered with DSST to support the passage of two critical school bond initiatives, which will bring significant resources to benefit students and their families. Through targeted advocacy and family engagement strategies, P.A.C.E. helped ensure that the voices of DSST families were heard.

P.A.C.E. continues to show up for DSST Public Schools with a deep commitment to uplifting family advocates and empowering their voices. They always provide fresh ideas and perspectives to ensure that DSST can continue championing educational equity through authentic family and staff support.

Aisury Vasquez

Senior Manager, Advocacy & External Affairs
DSST Public Schools

P.A.C.E. partnered with The Memphis Lift to grow a base of advocates who could amplify their community’s concerns about education quality and equity as Memphis searched for a new superintendent to fill a leadership void. This advocacy and engagement campaign translated awareness to action and resulted in community members feeling heard and motivated.

1,011 parents, caregivers and community members joined The Memphis Lift’s campaign; 244 completed online surveys, and 466 committed to taking advocacy action with The Lift.

Over 300 community members and advocates attended The Memphis Lift’s Fireside Chat With Powerful Parents and Powerful Leaders featuring incoming MSCS Superintendent Dr. Marie N. Feagins.

attended

The Memphis Lift’s Fireside Chat

committed

to taking action

completed

online surveys

parents, caregivers & community members

I love working with the P.A.C.E. team. We first worked with them in 2019 when I organized families from around the country to speak with Democratic presidential candidates. There was no task too big or too small for them. I appreciate that. And, from Day 1, they’ve supported us at The Memphis Lift. They helped us get the most out of our organizing program, especially by supporting us in using data better to guide our work. I would work with them anytime and highly recommend their support to any local leader or organization.

Sarah Carpenter

Executive Director
The Memphis Lift

Voter Participation Campaigns: Activating Communities and Driving Turnout

In 2024, P.A.C.E. released our first-ever Voter Participation Report. The report highlights the effectiveness of targeted, community-driven campaigns in enhancing voter turnout, particularly among populations often overlooked by traditional campaigns. Building on this report, we plan to release a 2025 version highlighting insights from our 2024 Election cycle support with partners.

Navigating complex electoral environments requires precision and innovation. In 2024, we leaned on data-driven strategies, innovative creative materials, and clear messaging to focus on the “nuts and bolts” of voting. By tailoring outreach and using trusted community voices sourced by our partners, we supported voters to know when, where, and how to cast their ballots, leading to measurable success. These partnership campaigns remind us that the power of democracy lies in the collective voices of individuals—and at P.A.C.E., we are proud to amplify those voices.

In partnership with 10 school and advocacy organizations nationwide, we reached 144,000 total voters.

Through direct mail, text messages, phone calls, and digital/social media, we delivered over 7,254,997 targeted communications, to support voters in fully participating.

A voter registration initiative in partnership with Futuro San Antonio added 300 new voters, helping expand civic engagement in underrepresented communities across the city for municipal, statewide, and federal elections.

6 out of 9 candidates endorsed by our partners in Providence and D.C. won.

In collaboration with DC Charter School Action, we ran campaigns for two elections, including one for the DC primary for the DC State Board of Education. The result was a 10%+ increase in voter turnout, exceeding our ambitious goal of 9% for the Ward 7 primary.

In New York City, where we supported two school networks in their first-ever nonpartisan, nonpolitical voter participation campaign, family voter turnout exceeded the turnout of similar demographics in the communities the schools serve by approximately 7 and 10 percentage points respectively.

mail: 242,325

text: 259,624:

phone calls: 82,266

digital impressions: 6,670,782

Voices of Partnership and Collaboration

Janie Seguí Rodríguez, Executive Director, Stop The Wait RI

P.A.C.E.’s hands-on approach, combined with their extensive expertise nationwide, has been instrumental in elevating our ideas and maximizing our local impact. The work we have undertaken together is laying a strong foundation for long-term success. Their proactive engagement with our members, along with support in equipping them with the necessary tools and resources, has significantly strengthened our foundation and positioned us for continued growth in the years ahead.

Ariel Johnson, Executive Director, DC Charter School Action

My work with the P.A.C.E. team is essential to the functionality of our political program. Jason has specific insight and expertise with Murmuration that helps to move our work forward. And, Sean has a political astuteness that ensures quality work and strong thought partnership. Because of their support, we had a strong 2024 cycle. I am pleased with the progress our c4 organization is making under their partnership. I also appreciate that they navigate challenges with grace. I look forward to other creative opportunities as we expand our political expertise in DC.

Financial Overview

At P.A.C.E., talent matters. Our largest spending categories are related to attracting and retaining staff members who can seamlessly and effectively support our local partners. We’re a diverse, mission-driven team of nine full-time professionals, including former educators, nonprofit leaders, advocates, and political campaign experts. Alongside our commitment to talent, we work tirelessly to keep our overhead to a bare minimum. Below is an overview of our expenses in 2024.

P.A.C.E 2024 BUDGET: $2,540,481

Partner Acknowledgments

P.A.C.E. is grateful for our numerous partners’ support, commitment, and investment. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the following organizations for their partnership, without which our work would not be possible.

Supports We Provide To Partners

STRATEGY & CAMPAIGN MANAGEMENT

We develop a winning campaign strategy and then help manage that campaign to reach our shared goals.

COMMUNICATIONS

We develop the right campaign message, and then communicate the message through earned, owned, and paid media.

CREATIVE CONTENT

We use video, graphics, and photography to tell our partners’ stories in a compelling way.

RESEARCH

We shape the policy and political debate by developing original research supporting our partners' goals.

ORGANIZING

We help our partners organize crucial constituencies in support of their goals - parents, teachers, and civic leaders.

DIGITAL

We build a robust digital advocacy and content program for each campaign, to share our message with key audiences.

EVENT PLANNING

Whether it’s a rally, a day of action, or a press conference, we plan and manage event logistics down to the last detail.

2025

As we look ahead to 2025, we feel ready and motivated to continue to build powerful partnerships and expand our efforts in communities across the country. P.A.C.E. aims to bolster and expand our network of partnerships to achieve greater success in advocacy and electoral campaigns. We’re excited about forging new and stronger collaborations, building and running new campaigns, and equipping our partners with the training, tools and resources they need to achieve change and secure wins. Below are metrics we aim to achieve through this year:

10

At least ten advocacy, communications or engagement campaign wins for partners.

0 %

Maintaining voter turnout in partner campaigns at least 9% higher than the expected turnout score.

0 %

A measurable increase of 10% in the number of high-quality seats in communities that partners serve.

Projected 2025 Budget

NOTES

AMOUNT

NOTES

$2,879,459

Total

Projected 2025 Budget

We invite you to join us on this journey. Whether you’re a community leader, school leader, advocate, funder, or a past or present partner, we encourage you to connect with us on LinkedIn to explore opportunities to deepen our work. Together, we can elevate local leaders and voices, fight for education equity, and create lasting change in communities. Here’s to an impactful 2025 and beyond!