State of the Union September 2026

THE BORGEN PROJECT
State of the Union
August 2026
A month of advocacy, outreach and action across The Borgen Project.
Here’s what our team achieved in August.
People. Politics. Impact.
Small actions.
Bigger voices.
A more just world.
August at a glance
43
Lobbying meetings
in August
284 / 400
2026 lobbying goal
71% complete
4,028
Advocacy emails
in August
28,152 / 45,000
2026 advocacy goal
63% complete
88%
of Congress emailed
year to date
Advocacy in Action
From congressional offices to community leaders, our team is building support for global poverty reduction.
Arshia Chakravartti
Arshia Chakravartti
Met with Representative Kevin Mullin (D-CA-15)'s Deputy District Director, Carol Ong.
Maximir Butkovic
Maximir Butkovic
Bird-dogged Herb Conaway (D-NJ-03).
Ryan Wingert
Ryan Wingert
Met with Kyle Jones, caseworker for Representative Linda Sanchez (D-CA-38).
Z'hanie Weaver
Z'hanie Weaver
Met with Representative John Mannion (D-NY-22)'s Constituent Services Representative, Jurgen Baeza Bernal.
Trish Pham
Trish Pham
Met with Leo Sheehan, Senior Policy Advisor for Representative Dave Min (D-CA-47).
Torun McGillis
Torun McGillis
Met with Senator Tina Smith (D-MN).
Team meeting with Ryan Walsh
Kim Thelwell, Brooke Uleano, William Drew, Sophia Caron, Jun Wong, Tanuj Maheshkumar & Anna Morin
Met with Ryan Walsh, Legislative Aide for Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT).
Virginia Buffum
Virginia Buffum
Met with Representative Brad Knott (R-NC-13)'s District Director, Jeff Hauser.
Aidan Moran
Aidan Moran
Informal meeting with Cr Mohamed Semra, Mayor of the City of Maribyrnong, Australia.
Eirinn Rodgers
Bird-dogging at a virtual town hall event.
From Washington
Updates from DC
Listen in to hear all of the latest updates from DC.
Recognition
BIRD-DOG AWARD · POLITICAL TEAM
Maximir Butkovic · Eirinn Rodgers · Trish Pham · Dara Hanano
Getting the Word Out
Taking the mission into communities, campuses and conversations.
POLITICAL AFFAIRS TEAM
Berenice Louveau swarm picnic
Bérénice Louveau
Swarm picnic in France.
Berenice Louveau second swarm
Bérénice Louveau
A second swarm.
Berenice Louveau dog
Bérénice Louveau
Her dog also got involved!
Isabella Chicco
Isabella Chicco
Information event.
Jacob Platt
Jacob Platt
Tabling for his mobilization.
Olivia Sarmento
Olivia Sarmento
Virtual information event.
Z'hanie Weaver
Z'hanie Weaver
Sundae and ice cream social with trivia.
Kierra Davis
Kierra Davis
Presentation to the Rotary Club of Innsbrook.
Virginia Buffum Rotary
Virginia Buffum
Presentation to the Oxford, NC Rotary Club.
Virginia Buffum information event
Virginia Buffum
Information event.
CONTENT TEAM
Julia Sanders
Julia Sanders
Networking and advocating for The Borgen Project.
SOCIAL MEDIA / DIGITAL
Nuru Tsega
Nuru Tsega
Getting the word out.
NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP
Andrew Bassanger
Andrew Bassanger
Information event.
Local action can create global impact.
1-Mile Campaigns & Mobilizing
One mile. One community. One conversation at a time.
ADVOCATES
Ace Vela
Ace Vela
Chicago, Illinois
POLITICAL AFFAIRS TEAM
Yibo Chen
Yibo Chen
1-Mile Campaign
Virginia Buffum
Virginia Buffum
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Lydia Barnes
Lydia Barnes
1-Mile Campaign
Molly Flaherty
Molly Flaherty
1-Mile Campaign
Arshia Chakravartti
Arshia Chakravartti
San Mateo, California
NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP TEAM
Maria Caraballo
Maria Caraballo
Paris, France
Sara Jasinski
Sara Jasinski
1-Mile Campaign
Letters to the Editor
Our team members are taking the case for global poverty reduction into publications around the world.
SOCIAL MEDIA / DIGITAL MARKETING TEAM
Tania Karmokar
LabourList
READ →
Jaeli Murray
The Columbia Star
READ →
POLITICAL AFFAIRS TEAM
Anna Williamson
KildareNow
READ →
Ivana Brodanac
PressReader
READ →
Jacob Platt
Butler Eagle
READ →
Alexis Cline
Three published letters
LAS VEGAS SUN →
REVIEW-JOURNAL →
LAS VEGAS SUN →
Alexander Rojas
The Ann Arbor Independent
READ →
Brianna Allen
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
READ →
Bérénice Louveau
Portland Press Herald
READ →
Emily Conroy
The Irish Catholic
READ →
Jack Garrity
TBR News Media
READ →
CONTENT TEAM
Arianna Cook
The Courier Herald
READ →
NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP TEAM
Tapera Nyoni
Meath Chronicle
READ →
Fundraising in Action
Creative ideas. Community involvement. Real impact.
CONTENT TEAM
Nilani Mathur
Nilani Mathur
Bake sale fundraiser
William Snow
William Snow
Fundraising hike and flyers
POLITICAL AFFAIRS TEAM
Shreya Verma
Shreya Verma
Public speaking camp and lessons
MK Kosel Pokémon raffle
MK Kosel
Pokémon-themed raffle
Anna Williamson and Eleanor Christopher
Anna Williamson & Eleanor Christopher
Pub quiz in Ireland
Isabella Chicco
Isabella Chicco
Homemade treats and lemonade
Elizabeth Harris
Elizabeth Harris
Blind Date with a Book sale
Anna Gasparakis
Anna Gasparakis
Sold one of her paintings
ADVOCATE TEAM
Adriannah Pineau
Adriannah Pineau
Donation jar at a local store
Videos & Calls
Watch the team in action.
Madison Hoar
Monica Ristich
Tiria Toth
Anna Williamson
Annalisa Manganaro
Bérénice Louveau
Radhika Yeddanapudi
Quinby Janes
Alexis Cline
MK Kosel
A more just, prosperous world is possible.
People. Politics. A brighter tomorrow.
State of the Union August 2026