Dear Mr. xxxxxx,

I hope you saw my email below highlighting all of the ways the Kennedy Institute is working to address partisan divisions, foster dialogue and debate, and provide the next generation with critical skills of negotiation and consensus-building. This work is made possible through the incredible generosity of our donors. Will you support these efforts with an end of year gift today?

As of 2024, the Kennedy Institute has reached over 140,000 students across 44 states with our award-winning civic education programs and this year, we created a new civic ed program for students on AI policy. We launched a new bipartisan partnership on bolstering our elections infrastructure, and continued hosting Senators and experts from across the country for engaging discussions before thousands of live and virtual audience members!

Looking ahead to 2025, we remain dedicated to advancing the principles of civic engagement through debate and discourse in support of American democracy through our education and public programs. Please join us in this work with a gift today.

Thank you,
Adam

Dear Mr. xxxxxx,

As we turn the corner on an election cycle that further confirmed how closely divided the electorate is and how divided the nation remains, the Kennedy Institute is resolute in our dedication to bipartisanship and the belief that searching for common ground is the best way to make progress and advance the common good.

During 2024 we expanded our efforts in support of these ideals. We continue to address partisan divisions and congressional gridlock through convenings at the highest levels. We foster dialogue and debate through our public events and instill the values of productive consensus-building in tens of thousands of young people through our student programs.

We hope you will join us and support this important work by making a year-end gift today.
 
Though the challenges facing our democracy can seem daunting, this work continues to give me hope for the future. As Senator Ted Kennedy used to say, “what divides us pales in comparison to what unites us.” May you take comfort in those words as you read more about our work in these areas:

Modeled bipartisan Senate deliberation before a national audience

• Our 5th installment of the Senate Project was moderated by NBC’s Chuck Todd as Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) debated in our Senate Chamber on C-SPAN. They jointly authored an op-ed in Newsweek inspired by the event.

Launched bipartisan initiative to bolster American elections infrastructure

• We launched a bipartisan initiative with the Dole Institute with experts and practitioners from around the country – including the Republican Secretaries of State from Pennsylvania and Kansas – to highlight funding needs for American elections. A report is coming in 2025.

Hosted national thought leaders to inspire public discourse

• We hosted pre-eminent discussions with policymakers, journalists, and academics centered on the US Senate and American democracy. This year we engaged ten sitting or newly elected Senators, from Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to Sen. Joe Manchin (I-WV). Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) recently joined to explain what’s ahead for the Senate in 2025.

Educating a new generation of civic leaders

• Every week, hundreds of students join us in our replica Senate Chamber or in virtual classrooms to negotiate solutions to critical policy issues. In 2024 we launched our newest Senate Immersion Module topic on AI and Data Privacy. This year we reached over 20,000 students, bringing our overall total to 140,000 students reached nationally across 44 states!

We need your help to continue this critical work in 2025. Please contribute as generously as you can today.

Thank you,

Bruce Percelay, Chairman of the Board


Adam Hinds, Chief Executive Officer