Loud Light ### Party Lean: Overwhelmingly Democratic. No Republican endorsements found.

 Loud Light is a Kansas-based nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing civic participation, particularly among youth and underrepresented communities. Below, I'll provide a comprehensive overview based on available public information, including their structure, history, political orientation, activities, funding, and involvement with candidates or elections. This draws from their official websites, financial disclosures, third-party analyses, news reports, and related searches. Note that Loud Light operates as two related entities: the main 501(c)(3) nonprofit (focused on education and nonpartisan engagement) and Loud Light Civic Action, a 501(c)(4) affiliate (focused on advocacy and lobbying). They claim to be nonpartisan, but their activities, partnerships, and endorsements align with progressive and Democratic-leaning causes.

History and Founding

• Founded: 2015 by Davis Hammet in Topeka, Kansas. It started as a one-person operation aimed at boosting youth voter turnout and participation. By 2025, it marked its 10th anniversary, having grown into a larger organization with staff, fellows, and statewide reach.
• Evolution: Initially focused on voter registration and education, it expanded to include coalition-building, informational campaigns, and legal challenges to voting barriers. The Civic Action arm was established to handle more direct advocacy, as 501(c)(3) rules limit political activities.
• Key People:
  • Davis Hammet (Founder and President): Background in left-leaning activism, including work with RePower (a progressive training group), the U.S. Senate campaign of Charlie Crist (initially Independent, later Democrat), and Planting Peace (a global anti-poverty nonprofit). He remains the primary leader and is the only compensated key personnel in financial filings (salary around $93,000–$100,000 in recent years).
  • Other Staff/Board: Includes Advocacy Director Melissa Stiehler (Civic Action arm), board members like Rev. Sarah Oglesby-Dunegan (Chair) and Farai Harreld (Treasurer), who receive no compensation. The organization employs fellows and volunteers for fieldwork.
• Location and Reach: Headquartered in Topeka, KS (P.O. Box 4045), with activities statewide. They emphasize Kansas-specific issues but are part of national networks like the Alliance for Youth Action.

Mission and Programs

• Core Mission: To engage, educate, and empower underrepresented populations (especially youth, people of color, and low-income communities) to build community power and influence decision-makers. They aim to "turnout the vote and turn up democracy" by overcoming voter apathy, providing accessible information, and demanding accountable government.
• Key Programs and Activities:
  • Voter Registration and Education: Run drives targeting students and young voters (e.g., helped register 10,000 new voters ahead of the 2020 election). Provide guides on voting rules, such as allowing college students to register at either their home or school address.
  • Informational Campaigns: Produce videos, explainers on legislation, and resources like community resource fairs (e.g., KC Metro event in March 2026). They track bills and testify in the Kansas Legislature (e.g., opposing HB 2438 in 2025, which would restrict online voter registration).
  • Advocacy and Coalitions: Partner with groups like ACLU Kansas, Demos, League of Women Voters, and Kansas Governor Laura Kelly (D) on expanding voter access. Involved in issues like fair maps (#fairmapsks protests at the Kansas Supreme Court), abortion rights (opposed bans post-2022), trans rights (condemned SB 244 veto override in 2026, calling it "state-sanctioned harassment"), and civil rights.
  • Youth Empowerment: Fellowships and training to build leadership among young Kansans. Member of the Alliance for Youth Action, a network of progressive youth voter groups.
  • Legal Actions: Filed lawsuits against Kansas election officials (e.g., against Secretary of State Scott Schwab (R) for delaying public voter data in 2020 and 2021; won a 2019 case against Johnson County for provisional ballot lists). Temporarily halted voter registration drives in 2021 due to a new law broadly defining "impersonating an election official" as a felony, fearing prosecution.
• Impact: Claim to represent over 16,000 Kansans across all legislative districts. Focus on countering low turnout (e.g., citing 2018 stats: 53% overall, 32% youth). They've influenced policy by challenging restrictive laws and boosting participation in marginalized groups.

Political Orientation: Liberal/Progressive, Leans Democratic

• Self-Description: Nonpartisan, focused on "social good and justice." They emphasize collective action to hold officials accountable based on "needs and values" of young/underrepresented Kansans.
• In Practice: Described by third-party sources like InfluenceWatch as "left-of-center." Their activities oppose Republican-led voting restrictions (e.g., grace periods for mail ballots, early voting limits) and support progressive issues like expanded voter access, LGBTQ+ rights, and abortion access. They've criticized GOP figures like Rep. Pat Proctor (R) for pushing "conspiracy-minded" bills.
  • Not Republican or conservative: No evidence of support for conservative policies or candidates. Their opposition to bills like those restricting voting aligns with Democratic priorities.
  • Liberal/Progressive: Partnerships with left-leaning groups (ACLU, Demos, Movement Voter Project). Hammet's background is in Democratic/progressive campaigns. They advocate against "corporate influence" in politics and for inclusive representation.
• Controversies:
  • Accused by conservatives of promoting "voter fraud" through access expansions, but no substantiated claims.
  • In 2021–2022, paused registration due to GOP-backed laws, highlighting tensions with Republican-dominated legislature.
  • Involved in high-profile advocacy, like condemning anti-trans legislation and supporting youth turnout that polls showed opposed abortion bans (75% of 18–34-year-olds per their cited data).

How They Pick/Engage with Candidates: Endorsements via Civic Action Arm

• General Approach: The 501(c)(3) arm (Loud Light) does not endorse candidates, as it's prohibited. Instead, they educate voters on issues and candidates without direct support.
• Endorsements: Handled by the 501(c)(4) Loud Light Civic Action, which can engage in limited political activity. They endorse based on alignment with voting rights, civil rights, youth empowerment, and progressive values (e.g., expanding access, opposing suppression). Criteria aren't explicitly detailed publicly, but endorsements favor candidates who support "free and fair elections" and community needs.
  • Party Lean: Overwhelmingly Democratic. No Republican endorsements found.
  • Examples from Recent Elections (via Blue Voter Guide and reports):
    • Federal/Statewide: Endorsed Patrick Schmidt (D) for U.S. House (KS-02), emphasizing veterans' issues.
    • State Legislature: Endorsed candidates like Jennifer Day (D) for Kansas House, Alexis Simmons (D) for Kansas House (opposed personal attacks in election reform hearings), and others in districts focused on affordable healthcare, union jobs, and voting rights.
    • Other: Supported pro-choice and pro-LGBTQ+ Democrats in 2022–2024 cycles, aligning with groups like LPAC (LGBTQ PAC) and Kansas Democratic Party.
  • Process: Likely involves reviewing candidate positions on key issues like voter access and civil liberties. They build "power to impact any election" through turnout, indirectly aiding aligned candidates.
• No Direct Candidate "Picking": They don't run primaries or select nominees; endorsements are selective support for those matching their mission. Focus is on voter mobilization rather than party-building.

Funding and Financials

All funding comes from donations and grants (no program revenue or investments). Revenue has grown significantly, reflecting expanded operations.

Early Years: 2017–2019

Loud Light started small in its initial years. In 2017 (fiscal year ending December), the organization reported revenue of $81,136, expenses of $70,548, and total assets of $19,546. This reflected modest growth as a new entity building its voter education and youth participation programs.

By 2018, revenue increased significantly to approximately $190,000 (an early peak), driven in part by a $50,000 grant from the Kansas Health Foundation specifically for youth voter participation initiatives. Detailed expenses and assets for that year are not fully itemized in summaries, but the funding marked a step up in operations.

For 2019, comprehensive figures are limited in public summaries, but all revenue came from donations, with no major program income or investments noted. This period laid the groundwork before larger election-year surges.

Election-Year Surge: 2020

The 2020 presidential and general election cycle brought a major boost. Revenue jumped to $745,411, reflecting expanded voter registration drives, education campaigns, and outreach to underrepresented groups (especially youth). This was a classic cycle-driven increase for advocacy nonprofits. Expenses and assets details are partial in some overviews, but net growth positioned the organization for sustained activity.

Post-Election Dip: 2021

Following the high of 2020, 2021 saw a typical post-election decline. Revenue dropped to $375,839 as mobilization efforts wound down. This dip is common in voter-focused groups, with resources shifting toward ongoing advocacy rather than peak turnout campaigns.

Recovery and Growth: 2022–2023

Revenue rebounded in 2022 to $669,586, supported by grants from sources like the Movement Voter Project and allied foundations. This helped fund continued statewide work on voting rights and community empowerment.

By 2023, the upward trend continued with revenue at $816,432. Expenses totaled $602,916 (with salaries making up about 57%, or roughly $344,000), resulting in net income of around $213,516 and total assets reaching $1,012,101. This showed stable scaling of staff and programs.

Recent Peak: 2024

The most recent full year (fiscal 2024, ending December) marked strong growth, with revenue at $1,220,169—nearly doubling from 2023. Expenses were $1,010,075 (salaries accounting for about 53%, or roughly $539,000), leading to net income of approximately $210,094 and total assets of $1,245,188 (with net assets around $1,207,183 after liabilities of about $38,000). Davis Hammet's compensation as president was $93,312 plus benefits. This increase aligned with intensified advocacy during the 2025 Kansas legislative session, including legal challenges and voter education efforts.

• Sources: Primarily progressive funders like Movement Voter Project (Youth and Student Fund), Kansas Health Foundation, Silicon Valley Community Foundation ($103,350 in 2024), NEA Advocacy ($150,000 indirect via allies), and Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation (abortion-related). Civic Action arm received $50,000 in 2024. Total 2024 funding across entities: ~$452,000 for Loud Light + $50,000 for Civic Action.
• Transparency: No professional fundraising fees. All officers except Hammet unpaid.

Social Media and Recent Activity

• X (Twitter): @loud_light (active, 1,000+ followers). Posts focus on protests (e.g., fair maps rallies), legislative updates, and calls to action. Recent examples include lawsuits challenging mail ballot laws, veto session recaps (criticizing "back to Brownback days" and fetal personhood bills), and house elections testimony.
• Other: Active on Facebook (@LoudLightKS), Instagram (@loud_light with 14K followers), and YouTube (fellowships videos, civic engagement series). They host events like rallies at the Kansas Capitol and collaborate with universities (e.g., Washburn University's WU Votes).

In summary, Loud Light is a progressive, youth-focused nonprofit that leans Democratic in practice, despite nonpartisan claims. They empower voters rather than directly "pick" candidates, but their endorsements support liberals advancing voting and civil rights. No ties to Republicans or conservatives; their work counters what they see as suppressive policies from the GOP-led legislature.