Civic Engagement in a Digital Age

Universal access to technology is fundamental to a participatory democracy. Through our electronic media policy strategy and evaluation work, OMG has led the way in advising social investors on how best to provide all citizens with needed information to lead an engaged and productive life. We have advised funders on launching digital journalism initiatives. As examples, we have assessed a $20 million, six-year, national philanthropic portfolio to strengthen and align the electronic media policy field to increase effective collective policy action, and evaluated an innovative, citywide wireless program to ensure an informed citizenry. Our expertise in blending high impact strategy with actionable tactics aids our clients in using new technologies to advance civic engagement and promote democratic values.

William Penn Foundation's Digital Public Affairs Journalism Initiative
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Through the conduct of a national emerging model scan, community interviews, a theory of change, and a business plan, OMG developed a new grantmaking strategy for the foundation. Now in its launch, the innovative model created will build from existing local digital journalism assets, and add to the growing use of new media in regional public affairs reporting and in digital community engagement.
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Digital Impact Group
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OMG conducted a two-year assessment of the Philadelphia-based Digital Impact Program with support from the William Penn Foundation. This demonstration program sought to improve the lives of low-income Philadelphians through improved access to and use of the Internet. OMG’s assessment guided the initiative’s implementation, measured the impact on families and partners, and informed Philadelphia’s wireless communication policy.
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Ford Foundation’s Electronic Media Policy Portfolio's The Listening Project
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OMG designed and conducted the Listening Project in support of Ford’s launch of its emergent grantmaking strategy in electronic media policy portfolio. OMG assessed the state of the emerging electronic media policy field to determine needs, assets, and critical opportunities in moving a national electronic media policy agenda, and in building a cohesive field. The findings catalyzed critical cross-sector conversations about the potential for movement building, and were shared more broadly in the field through a final report, a series of convened meetings, and conference presentations.
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Ford Foundation’s Electronic Media Policy Portfolio
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Building on the knowledge gained from the Listening Project, OMG evaluated the early outcomes of its electronic media policy portfolio. The evaluation captured the accomplishments and challenges of Ford’s early investments in this fast moving advocacy field, and made recommendations on how grantmaking could continue to strengthen diverse leadership development, organizational capacity, and the formation of networks, alliances, and partnerships to change electronic media policy.
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