State of the Union October 2026

THE BORGEN PROJECT
State of the Union
October 2026
A month of advocacy, outreach and action across The Borgen Project. Here’s what our team achieved in September.
People. Politics. Impact.
Small actions. Bigger voices. A more just world.
September at a glance
32
Lobbying meetings in September
317 / 400
2026 lobbying goal
79% complete
2,959
Advocacy emails in September
31,111 / 45,000
2026 advocacy goal
69% complete
90%
of Congress emailed year to date
Advocacy in Action

Building support for global poverty reduction, one meeting at a time.

Content Team

Oliwia Kowalak: Met with Florian Oest, a member of the German Bundestag.
Oliwia Kowalak

Met with Florian Oest, a member of the German Bundestag.

Political Affairs Team

Nadine Touahri: Met with MP Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault, representing Madawaska—Restigouche.
Nadine Touahri

Met with MP Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault, representing Madawaska—Restigouche.

Jacob Platt: Met with Representative Mike Kelly (PA-16).
Jacob Platt

Met with Representative Mike Kelly (PA-16).

Eirinn Rodgers: Shared a photo from a lobbying meeting with staff from Senator John Fetterman (PA)’s office.
Eirinn Rodgers

Shared a photo from a lobbying meeting with staff from Senator John Fetterman (PA)’s office.

Nonprofit Leadership Team

Aidan Ting: Met with a staffer from Representative Scott Peters (CA-50)’s office.
Aidan Ting

Met with a staffer from Representative Scott Peters (CA-50)’s office.

Oskar Stein: Met with Dr. Moritz Heuberger, a member of the German Bundestag.
Oskar Stein

Met with Dr. Moritz Heuberger, a member of the German Bundestag.

Keep Going: A Note from Allison Harlan

Program Manager - Social Media/Digital Marketing

Advocacy takes resilience and adaptability. When a meeting request or an outreach idea does not work out, try another approach. A setback can help us find a new way to make an impact—and sometimes that new route achieves more than we first expected.

Updates from DC

The latest update from Washington.

Listen to Warren Baise’s September 2026 update from Washington.

LISTEN TO THE DC UPDATE →

Recognition

Celebrating outstanding work across the team.

Chief Closer Award

Political Team · Raised $1,000 or more

Hunter AllenFrederick Harvey

Bird-Dog Award

Political Team

Radhika YeddanapudiAarya Borkar

Article of the Month

mRNA TB Vaccine Research Moves Into Human Trials

By Naveeshaa Rengasamy

READ THE ARTICLE →
Getting the Word Out

Taking the mission into communities, campuses and conversations.

Political Affairs Team

Evan Krull: Gave a presentation to a group at his university.
Evan Krull

Gave a presentation to a group at his university.

Abraham Birhan: Presented to a class at his university.
Abraham Birhan

Presented to a class at his university.

Lucy Kelly: Gave a presentation about The Borgen Project.
Lucy Kelly

Gave a presentation about The Borgen Project.

Jacob Platt: Hosted an information event at his local library for about 20 attendees.Jacob Platt: Hosted an information event at his local library for about 20 attendees.Jacob Platt: Hosted an information event at his local library for about 20 attendees.Jacob Platt: Hosted an information event at his local library for about 20 attendees.
Jacob Platt

Hosted an information event at his local library for about 20 attendees.

Nadine Touahri: Spoke on CFAI-FM about The Borgen Project and Canada’s international aid.Nadine Touahri: Spoke on CFAI-FM about The Borgen Project and Canada’s international aid.
Nadine Touahri

Spoke on CFAI-FM about The Borgen Project and Canada’s international aid.

Virginia Buffum: Presented to the Rotary Club of Zebulon following her Political Affairs internship.Virginia Buffum: Presented to the Rotary Club of Zebulon following her Political Affairs internship.
Virginia Buffum

Presented to the Rotary Club of Zebulon following her Political Affairs internship.

Virginia Buffum: Created an infographic encouraging people to call Congress.
Virginia Buffum

Created an infographic encouraging people to call Congress.

Tareq Ahmed: Held an information event on campus as a Political Affairs team member.
Tareq Ahmed

Held an information event on campus as a Political Affairs team member.

Bahar Askari: Created a poster for an information and fundraising event featuring Iranian culture games and an optional fundraising raffle.
Bahar Askari

Created a poster for an information and fundraising event featuring Iranian culture games and an optional fundraising raffle.

Nonprofit Leadership Team

Kelsey Watson: Created flyers for a DivertIt campaign.
Kelsey Watson

Created flyers for a DivertIt campaign.

Creative Outreach
Charlie Newton: Created a meme encouraging supporters to email their MP.
Charlie Newton

Created a meme encouraging supporters to email their MP.

Valeriia Lisovyk: Created a Divert $5 campaign graphic encouraging donations to fight poverty.
Valeriia Lisovyk

Created a Divert $5 campaign graphic encouraging donations to fight poverty.

Katy Wong: Created a fundraising meme as part of her Writer/Journalist internship.
Katy Wong

Created a fundraising meme as part of her Writer/Journalist internship.

Ivana Brodanac: Shared a photo showing her support for The Borgen Project.
Ivana Brodanac

Shared a photo showing her support for The Borgen Project.

Danyl Khan: Created a meme encouraging people to join The Borgen Project.
Danyl Khan

Created a meme encouraging people to join The Borgen Project.

1-Mile Campaigns & Mobilizing

One mile. One community. One conversation at a time.

Political Affairs Team

Ivana Brodanac: Shared photos from her 1-Mile Campaign.Ivana Brodanac: Shared photos from her 1-Mile Campaign.Ivana Brodanac: Shared photos from her 1-Mile Campaign.Ivana Brodanac: Shared photos from her 1-Mile Campaign.
Ivana Brodanac

Shared photos from her 1-Mile Campaign.

Nonprofit Leadership Team

Aidan Moran: Took part in the 1-Mile Campaign.
Aidan Moran

Took part in the 1-Mile Campaign.

Ava Isidro: Carried out a 1-Mile Campaign in Dublin, Ireland.Ava Isidro: Carried out a 1-Mile Campaign in Dublin, Ireland.
Ava Isidro

Carried out a 1-Mile Campaign in Dublin, Ireland.

Eiona Steven: Shared photos from a 1-Mile Campaign.Eiona Steven: Shared photos from a 1-Mile Campaign.
Eiona Steven

Shared photos from a 1-Mile Campaign.

Fundraising in Action

Creative ideas. Community involvement. Real impact.

Content Team

Georgina Harrison: Created a fundraising flyer inviting supporters to donate.
Georgina Harrison

Created a fundraising flyer inviting supporters to donate.

Madeleine Davey: Advertised a cupcake sale to raise funds for The Borgen Project.
Madeleine Davey

Advertised a cupcake sale to raise funds for The Borgen Project.

Political Affairs Team

Frances Hernandez: Shared a menu for her bake sale fundraiser.
Frances Hernandez

Shared a menu for her bake sale fundraiser.

Sumwen Osagie: Held a fundraising pop-up shop featuring Nigerian dishes, treats and other vendors.Sumwen Osagie: Held a fundraising pop-up shop featuring Nigerian dishes, treats and other vendors.Sumwen Osagie: Held a fundraising pop-up shop featuring Nigerian dishes, treats and other vendors.Sumwen Osagie: Held a fundraising pop-up shop featuring Nigerian dishes, treats and other vendors.
Sumwen Osagie

Held a fundraising pop-up shop featuring Nigerian dishes, treats and other vendors.

Alexis Cline: Partnered with a local instructor to host a Pilates class, with proceeds supporting her fundraiser.Alexis Cline: Partnered with a local instructor to host a Pilates class, with proceeds supporting her fundraiser.Alexis Cline: Partnered with a local instructor to host a Pilates class, with proceeds supporting her fundraiser.
Alexis Cline

Partnered with a local instructor to host a Pilates class, with proceeds supporting her fundraiser.

Jasmine Thakral: Planned a game night to raise funds for The Borgen Project.
Jasmine Thakral

Planned a game night to raise funds for The Borgen Project.

Abraham Birhan: Ran a snack sale to support his fundraiser.
Abraham Birhan

Ran a snack sale to support his fundraiser.

MK Kosel: Offered pet portraits to raise funds for The Borgen Project.
MK Kosel

Offered pet portraits to raise funds for The Borgen Project.

Emese Barany

Political Affairs team member Emese, based in Germany, painted glitter tattoos in exchange for donations at a friend’s birthday party.

Glitter-tattoo fundraiser organised by Emese Barany in GermanyGlitter-tattoo fundraiser organised by Emese Barany in GermanyGlitter-tattoo fundraiser organised by Emese Barany in GermanyGlitter-tattoo fundraiser organised by Emese Barany in GermanyGlitter-tattoo fundraiser organised by Emese Barany in GermanyGlitter-tattoo fundraiser organised by Emese Barany in Germany

Nonprofit Leadership Team

Juliana Garaycochea: Organised a Waffle Day fundraiser in Germany.Juliana Garaycochea: Organised a Waffle Day fundraiser in Germany.Juliana Garaycochea: Organised a Waffle Day fundraiser in Germany.
Juliana Garaycochea

Organised a Waffle Day fundraiser in Germany.

Felix Synge: Shared a photo from a bake sale fundraiser.
Felix Synge

Shared a photo from a bake sale fundraiser.

Writing & Media Highlights

Team members are bringing global poverty issues to wider audiences.

Babatunde Aweda · Social Media / Digital Marketing

“Protecting Expectant Mothers Must Be a Global Priority” was published by Female Health & Fertility.

READ THE ARTICLE →
Ellie Christopher · Team highlight

Ellie explores systemic versus individual approaches to tackling poverty.

READ THE POST →
Elliott J Carter · International Media

Sal! Revista published a Spanish-language feature about Mohammed Abed rebuilding his life in Mexico City, highlighting the community support helping Palestinian refugees settle. The feature credits Elliott J Carter and mentions his work with The Borgen Project.

READ THE FEATURE →

Videos & Calls

Watch the team in action.

A more just, prosperous world is possible.

PEOPLE. POLITICS. A BRIGHTER TOMORROW.

State of the Union September 2026