From Consensus to Coalition.
The need to increase funding for services to seniors and adults with disabilities had broad agreement. The decision to take a measure to the ballot to achieve that goal, however, was not so easy.
Most coalition members had little experience with this kind of political involvement and previous discussions about crafting a measure similar to the successful San Francisco Children’s Fund usually ended up with folks giving up before they even getting started.
From Coalition to the Dignity Fund.
LAYING THE GROUNDWORK.
Deciding whether to pursue a ballot measure took a lot of research, planning, and determination by many committed people and groups – but all signs pointed towards go! A professional poll by Tulchin convinced us to go forward.
DIGNITY FUND RALLY.
We rallied on the steps of City Hall with San Francisco supervisors and many community groups who work with seniors, disabled adults, and those aging with HIV. It drew a huge crowd and showed that we were committed to moving forward!
DIGNITY ON THE BALLOT.
It took a lot of hard work by advocates representing the wide diversity of San Francisco to get the Dignity Fund on the ballot. See the original Charter Amendment here.
DIGNITY DAY.
Dignity Day was a huge celebration with hundreds of attendees and many speakers, including elected officials. Our campaign mascot, Dignity Dog, was very popular! We rallied our supporters and gained many new ones as the campaign pressed ahead.
CAMPAIGN TAKES OFF.
San Francisco is well-known for leading the way in progressive legislation and ballot measures. We activated the grassroots people power and fought for those who need it most, the ingredients it takes to succeed.
ENDORSEMENTS
We generated endorsements from nearly every political and community group across the City and beyond!
WE WON!
Proposition I, an amendment to San Francisco’s City Charter, was put on the ballot with the vote of nine of the eleven San Francisco Supervisors. Prop I required the approval of the majority of those who voted on November 8th, 2016. It passed with 66% of the vote.
San Francisco is the first city in the country to have a Dignity Fund.
You can read the original legislation here.
If you’re interested in having your city start its own Dignity Fund, email us at info@sfdignityfund.org