Human-Centered Design for the Voting Experience

By Kate Lydon

IDEO brings a human-centered design lens to voting in Los Angeles County—and finds compelling opportunities to increase participation nationally.

A New Approach to Reversing the Downward Spiral of Low Turnout

By David Becker 3

To increase voter turnout, other approaches are needed—ones intended not to inflame passions about what may be at stake in a particular election but instead to connect more voters to the process of voting and to the value of participating in our democracy.

The Modern Marriage Between Tech Philanthropy and Nonprofits: “It’s Complicated”

By Kristen Joiner 7

It’s a modern relationship in a modern world. It’s a marriage full of promise. But does our culture’s celebration of the male-dominated tech world end up overshadowing critical skills like empathy that are required for social change?

Civic Engagement

Making Voting Easier Doesn’t Increase Turnout

By Adam Berinsky 9

To the surprise of many, making the act of voting easier hasn’t actually led to higher voter turnout. To increase turnout, we need to get more people interested in politics.

Creating a Sharing Economy that Actually Shares

By Laura Zabel 6

Three ways nonprofits can embrace sharing, and bring their leadership and changemaking into the 21st century.

Economic Development

Responsible Lending when Traditional Underwriting Doesn’t Work

By Dave Prosser 3

For households facing financial volatility, the wrong kind of credit can drag them under. But it can also be a tool for building stability. How can we make loans for big-ticket items like vehicles both good for people and good for business?

Strengthening Democracy by Embracing a Multi-Party System

By George Cheung 6

Changing from winner-take-all single member districts, which limit voters' choices and races' competitiveness, to a multi-party system could significantly increase voter turnout.