AL Advising

Philanthropic and Political Consulting

AL Advising works with progressive philanthropists to create a portfolio of civic engagement, policy, and advocacy investments including 501c3, 501c4, candidate, and related political giving.

Where to Give Now: Abortion Access Edition

People said we were hysterical, that they would never overreach. The Court wasn’t on the line in 2016. But we knew. We knew the Right had a forty-year plan to overturn Roe and the three Justices appointed by President Trump would make their plan a reality.

We knew -- and we planned. There’s not a lot we can do to prevent this decision and the huge state implications. But as a proud Board member of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains Action Fund and Planned Parenthood Federation Action Fund, the abortion rights movement has a plan and we’re executing it, albeit a few weeks earlier than we thought.

Below please find information on key state races as well as key organizations and how to get involved in the fight to save abortion access. With everything on the line, this is not a moment to care about tax deductions. Give hard money to candidates and c4 dollars to organizations.

You can refer to this handy map to review existing restrictions and where abortion is likely to be outlawed if/when Roe is overturned. Bans Off Our Bodies has comprehensive information as well.

Crooked Media (aka the Pod Save America folks) has a great website where you can learn where to give and how to volunteer: https://votesaveamerica.com/roe/

And finally: Save the Date! On May 14, we rally. Think Women’s March-style protests around the country. Find a rally near you.

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AL Advising Election Pool

Now it’s time to show off your dorkiness with AL Advising’s Election Pool. We will ask you to predict the electoral college results, the most competitive Senate races, the number of seats Democrats will hold in the US House, and when the race will be called by the AP. The winner receives bragging rights and some election related swag. Entries must be received by 11:59pm Pacific on Monday, 11/2. 

Where to Give Now: Oct 30 2020

Now we give our time instead of our treasure. (But yes, there are still places to give treasure -- read on.) By the end of today, over 85 million voters will have cast their ballot. This is expected to be the highest turnout election in over a century. But there’s more we can do!

Below are a bunch of ways to engage around the election. Be sure to read to the end for instructions on how to participate in our election pool!

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Where to Give Now: Oct 2020

This is it. Our willingness to donate again and again is the reason why Democrats are heavily favored to keep the House and are now favored to win the Senate -- something prognosticators would have laughed at a year ago. (It has the added bonus of pissing off Mitch McConnell.) And it’s a big part of why Joe Biden is competitive in states like Iowa, Ohio, and Texas. Trump has gone dark in crucial Midwestern battleground states amid reports that his campaign is nearly broke. So, dig deep.

And yes, there are targeted places where last-minute money still helps, primarily in down-ballot races. Some key US Senate races can also use additional funds.

One final note: we all hate money in politics and our crazy campaign finance system. We spent a record $5.7 billion on the 2018 elections. But we spent $9 billion on Halloween that year. So while COVID has made trick or treating all but impossible, put your candy budget to good use saving democracy.


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RBG In Memorium

I have no words for the fact that Ruth Bader Ginsburg died on Rosh Hashanah. “May her memory be a blessing” is so insufficient for the life she led. We need to take a moment to remember her and her legacy. But after that moment, we have to get to work. And there is a lot of work to do.

I see the consequences of her death in four parts:


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