Third Way Announces Third Grantee Cohort of the Moderate Power Venture Fund
WASHINGTON—Third Way announced today the five organizations it has selected to join the third grantee cohort of the Moderate Power Venture Fund (MPVF). MPVF is one of the five programs housed within the Moderate Power Project, Third Way’s bold initiative to champion moderate voices, empower the next generation of center-left leaders, and reclaim control of our politics.
The new grantee announcement also marks the departure of MPVF's exceptional second cohort. With Venture Fund support, these grantees engaged young voters, built pragmatic coalitions, trained future policymakers, expanded the reach of the center-left ecosystem through organizing and digital media, and developed new approaches to strengthening democratic participation. Their work demonstrated the value of investing in entrepreneurial leaders and organizations that fill critical gaps in the moderate movement. You can learn more here: Investing in Pragmatism: 2025-2026 Venture Cohort Accomplishments.
The incoming cohort will use MPVF funding to help working Americans have a greater impact on economic policy, bring trusted national security experts into the digital spaces where people get their news, expand media networks that serve rural communities, build local service projects and community partnerships that connect working families to civic life, and empower young people to organize and lead in key congressional districts through the 2026 midterm elections and beyond.
Selected from a highly competitive pool of almost fifty applicants, these organizations represent some of the most innovative efforts underway to strengthen moderate political power and civic engagement across the country.
“The center left is full of talented leaders pursuing creative solutions to some of our most pressing political challenges,” said Third Way President Jon Cowan. “This year's cohort reflects the breadth of that innovation—from strengthening local civic engagement and rural media ecosystems to building new tools for economic storytelling and youth organizing. We're excited to support these organizations as they work to expand opportunity, rebuild trust, and empower the pragmatic center.”
Incoming MPVF grantees are listed below. The press contact for each group is indicated with an asterisk (*).
Dignity of Work Institute
Leaders: Kayla Griffin Green, Katie Mulhall Quintela* ([email protected]),
Founded by former Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown, the Dignity of Work Institute is dedicated to ensuring that economic policy reflects the experiences of working Americans and supports broad-based prosperity. With support from MPVF, DOWI will develop a first-of-its-kind social listening platform that captures how working people are talking about jobs, wages, and the economy. The organization will use those insights to inform its policy research and briefings, bringing the perspectives of everyday workers into conversations that too often rely on elite commentary and conventional wisdom.
National Security Leaders for America
Leaders: Mike Smith, Dave Petri* ([email protected])
National Security Leaders for America works to connect trusted national security experts with audiences that may be skeptical of traditional political messaging. MPVF funding will support a network of retired military, intelligence, and diplomatic leaders who will appear on podcasts, YouTube programs, livestreams, and other digital platforms to discuss the importance of democratic institutions, civic trust, and constitutional governance. By bringing respected voices into the online spaces where people already consume information, the project seeks to reach persuadable audiences with messages grounded in service and public duty.
One Country Project
Leaders: Tessa Gould* ([email protected]), Tom Bryant
One Country Project works to strengthen connections between legislative leaders and rural communities through trusted local voices and culturally relevant media. Best known for producing The Hotdish podcast, hosted by former Senator Heidi Heitkamp and radio personality Joel Heitkamp, the organization is now launching the One Country Network, a collaborative media ecosystem for rural-focused content creators. MPVF funding will help recruit and develop new podcasts into the network, providing production assistance, audience development, and new revenue opportunities. The goal is to expand the reach of factual, values-driven content that speaks directly to rural Americans' priorities and experiences.
The Working Majority Coalition
Leaders: Rory Steele, Kristian Ramos* ([email protected]), Adrian Saenz, Sophia Gluba
The Working Majority Coalition is a new Arizona-based initiative focused on rebuilding trust and civic participation among working-class Americans. Rather than relying solely on political messaging, the Coalition combines community service, practical problem-solving, and partnerships with trusted local organizations to build lasting relationships within communities. With support from MPVF, the project will expand this organizing model, creating more opportunities for working families to engage with civic life, strengthen local networks, and have a greater voice in the decisions that affect their communities.
Voters of Tomorrow
Leaders: Santiago Mayer, Kaya Jones, Bayly Hoehne, Jessica Siles* ([email protected])
Voters of Tomorrow is a national youth-led organization dedicated to building the political power of young people through organizing, leadership development, and voter engagement. MPVF funding will support the expansion of a rapid-response youth organizing model across more than ten competitive congressional districts. The project will recruit and train young organizers, host peer-to-peer engagement programs, and create leadership opportunities that help build a durable pipeline of center-left youth leaders going into the 2026 midterm elections and beyond.
About the Moderate Power Venture Fund
The Moderate Power Venture Fund invests in entrepreneurial projects that strengthen center-left social capital and political power. Through annual grants and ongoing strategic support, MPVF helps innovative organizations address critical gaps in the moderate ecosystem and build the infrastructure necessary to advance pragmatic solutions and defeat political extremism. MPVF is one of five programs within Third Way's Moderate Power Project, a long-term initiative to strengthen the political power of the vital center.