IBIS GROUP INSTITUTE
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ's
Q: I am a reporter and I have some questions. With whom can I speak for more information?
A: Thank you for your interest. We would be delighted to talk with you. You can contact us directly at info@ibisgroupinstitute.com or submit information through the “Contact Us” tab on our website, and we will have a spokesperson get back to you right away.
Q: What value do you bring to helping refine how campaigns are run? We have been running campaigns for decades and often win. Running a campaign seems basic – fundraising money for advertising and direct mail, and creating volunteer groups to do field work. Is trying something new risky?
A: Too often, qualified and deserving Democratic candidates are losing their Congressional races. We need to find ways to improve the odds of winning on a more complex playing field. In the current environment of polarization, Republican dark money, multiple media channels, and often ugly campaign tactics, we need novel ways to break through the noise. The world of research, technology, marketing, communications, etc., has been continuously evolving, and we believe that political campaigns need to evolve as well. Simply repeating old methods is not a path to the future — finding new methodologies and opportunities is. Ibis will work to identify and help campaigns launch new — but tested — best practices, techniques, and methodologies from the business and academic world. By doing so we can raise the bar in political campaigns, increasing the win rate among Democratic candidates. We believe the greatest risk is doing the same thing over and over and not getting the results our candidates, voters, and nation deserve.
Q: Why would candidates and campaigns need your support?
A: Many candidates and campaigns for Congress — especially the U.S. House of Representatives — have very limited access to resources that would allow them to mount a campaign driven by data and deep strategy. Candidates and their campaign staff and volunteers are passionate and work incredibly hard, but are often stretched thin. They have a relatively short timeframe to connect with voters before ballots are cast. Bringing together great LBGTQ+ candidates and their campaign teams with business and academic professionals who can help identify data-driven strategies for success will add value by elevating and fine-tuning campaigns to achieve greater success at the ballot box.
Q: I would like to be a volunteer on one of your teams (or I know someone who would like to be on one of your teams). How do I do that?
A: Thank you for your interest. We would be delighted to receive information about anyone who is interested in joining us in our work. Please send us a resume/bio, other pertinent info, and a write-up on why you would like to join and help support our mission, and we will share that information with our group for consideration. You can send inquiries directly to info@ibisgroupinstitute.com or submit them through the “Contact Us” tab on our website.
Q: Why focus on LGBTQ+ candidates?
A: Different organizations focus on different groups so as to create a broad and diverse base of political leaders in our nation. We want to see as many Democrats win Congressional seats as possible in 2024 – whether or not they come from the LGBTQ+ community. But with LGBTQ+ rights under attack at an alarming rate across the nation, our group’s focus is on ensuring that the LGBTQ+ community has proper representation in Congress. In today’s climate, we think it is important to elect qualified LGBTQ+ candidates at all levels of government, especially the U.S. Congress.
Q: I am running for Congress. Can you help me and my campaign team?
A: Thank you for getting in touch with us, and thank you for running for Congress. We know how difficult a Congressional race can be. We work closely with the Equality PAC of the LGBTQ+ U.S. Congressional Caucus, who helps us vet which races candidates could most benefit from Ibis’ support. The first step in the process would be to contact Equality PAC and enter into discussions with them.
Q: I am running for office down-ballot in a race other than for the U.S. Congress. I’d like your group to help me with my campaign. Can you help me?
A: Thank you so much, and thanks for running for public service. Our nation needs people to take that risk. Please note that for the 2024 cycle, we are only working with LGBTQ+ Democrats who are running for the U.S. Congress, focused on the House. We also only have resources to work with a limited number of races. In the future, Ibis may expand our efforts and support down-ballot Democratic candidates. But for now, we are focused on our target of gaining Congressional House seats for LGBTQ+ candidates.
Q: I am with a Democratic club/organization or an LGBTQ+ or another group. Can you send someone to come and talk to us and present your organization to our board/membership?
A: We appreciate your interest. At the moment, we are razor-focused on our work with specific candidates and do not have a speakers’ bureau. But, let us know about your group (go to our website “Contact Us” tab to connect with us) and we can talk. In addition, do feel free to share our media release and website address with your club/organization to keep people informed.
Q: If you are not working with a particular U.S. Congressional candidate, does that mean that there is some issue with that candidate?
A: Not at all. While we would like to help all Democratic candidates, our limited resources and the volunteer design of our organization means we can only support a handful of candidates this cycle. There are many great LGBTQ+ and other Democratic candidates running for U.S. Congress in 2024. We simply don’t have the resources to work with them all. And some may be in better positions to succeed (i.e. better funding, more resources, etc.). As mentioned above, we work closely with the Equality PAC of the LGBTQ+ U.S. Congressional Caucus, and they help in selecting a limited number of candidates with whom we have the capacity to work and believe we can make the greatest impact.
Q: Can you help with fundraising for candidates, campaigns, PACs, or organizations? Do you have donor lists or events that can help us? Can the people in your organization donate personally as well?
A: Ibis is not a PAC, bundler, nor engaged in fundraising events or activities. We do not keep donor lists. That is simply not what the Ibis think-tank/center of excellence concept is about. For the limited number of candidates with whom we work, we do provide strategic guidance in developing fundraising strategies, but that is the extent to which we help our candidates in any fundraising capacity. While our team members may donate to some campaigns, when they do so it is a personal contribution and outside the scope of their Ibis responsibilities.
Q: I am not running for office, but I like your approach. How do I help Ibis?
A: Thank you and good question. First, send us your contact information on our website’s “Contact Us” tab. Then, keep an eye on our website. At some point we will create a tab for getting involved, with ideas for how people can help the candidates for whom we provide support.
Q: It looks like many people at Ibis come from corporate backgrounds. Does that present any potential conflicts?
A: Ibis is not promoting any specific initiatives or agendas related to business. Many of our Ibis leaders do have corporate backgrounds and are providing candidates — without compensation — expertise gained from their years working on strategic planning, technology, data, research, marketing, advertising, branding, public relations, communications, and other disciplines. We collaborate with candidates who want to utilize the expertise Ibis provides to enhance their campaigns and increase their ability to win elections for LGBTQ+ Democrats.
Q: Why does the Institute work without compensation? Typically, consultants providing value are paid for their professional work. Why would Ibis offer such services without remuneration?
A: Ibis was created to offer candidates and their campaigns access to proven national leaders in the business and academic world, whose backgrounds and credentials add significant value to campaigns. The Ibis Leadership Team are people who have incredibly successful careers, currently with or have held high-level positions in the corporate and academic world. These leaders are fortunate in that they do not need, nor do they seek, jobs or additional financial rewards or recognition. They are people who are at the stage in their professional lives where they aim to play a role in moving our nation forward by giving of their talents, expertise, and time to help Democrats win elections.
Q: Can I donate to Ibis?
A: Thank you very much for that offer. We are all volunteers, and we do not engage in any form of fundraising for ourselves or candidates. Instead, we urge you to give your money to the Equality PAC of the LGBTQ+ U.S. Congressional Caucus.
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