Our Story

In 2024, Heather and her daughter, Maddy, launched Donuts+Democracy with a simple mission—increase young voter turnout by providing donuts to pro-democracy, pro-choice student organizations hosting voter registration and get-out-the-vote events on college campuses across competitive states.

What started as an idea became a movement. Thanks to our incredible donors, we partnered with powerhouse student organizers from NAACP, Voters of Tomorrow, College Democrats, Keep Arizona Blue, Students Demand Action, and Planned Parenthood. (We also could not have done it without our friends who jumped in and brought big mom and big sister energy to help us cross the finish line.)

The results were amazing (surprising even us!), and proof that sometimes the smallest gestures can spark the biggest changes.

As we move into 2025, joined by rockstars Sarah and Ashley, we're more determined than ever to build bridges across communities and generations.

Because when democracy wins, we all win.

Our Why

We believe young voters deserve the brightest future and we know they have the power to decide elections and influence policies that matter to them. But outdated get-out-the-vote strategies often fail to reach these young voters.

Donuts+Democracy offers a simple, cost-effective GOTV strategy that engages, educates, and empowers young voters - one donut, one conversation at a time.

Our Results

Fall 2024: In just five weeks, without advertising, a website, social media, or staff, we:

  • Sponsored 200+ events across 20 states.

  • Reached more than 54,000 students.

  • Partnered with NAACP, Voters of Tomorrow, College Democrats, and other student-led groups.

  • Boosted voter engagement by 10X on average.

Spring 2025: We partnered with college organizers in Wisconsin, Virginia, Alabama, and Georgia to register and educate young voters, hosting 15+ events on 15+ campuses, engaging 10,000+ college students.

Our Strategic Pillars for 2025-2026 

  • Engage, educate, energize and register young voters by meeting them where they are with opportunities for fun, connection, belonging, and purpose.

  • Empower student organizers with year-round support—everything from donuts and materials to speakers and training—enabling them to create bold, creative events that build authentic, campus-wide relationships.

  • Build inclusive coalitions by partnering with pro-democracy, pro-choice student groups, including debate clubs, mock trial teams, art collectives, faith organizations, identity-based groups, and Greek life.

Two women standing behind a table with assorted candies, cookies, and a large bright green sign that reads "Plan to Vote? Have a Donut!" in front of a stone building and trees.