Become a Friend of DemFest

Live in the Washington DC region?

Concerned about American democracy?

Want to help strengthen democracy in the capital region by making it more fun and social?

Then become a Friend of DemFest!

In these polarized times, when too many are getting distracted or polarized online, and too few are connecting in person to address pressing social problems, Learning Life is building a Democracy Learning Community (DLC) in the Washington, DC region to help connect diverse people, widen civic engagement, foster collaboration, and nurture more 3C (connected, capable and caring) citizens.

The DLC’s biggest event each year is the annual DMV Democracy Festival, or DemFest.  You can help DemFest grow to become a new democratic tradition in our nation’s capital region by becoming a Friend of DemFest.  Simply take at least the first of the following four steps.

In exchange, we will keep you updated about DemFest and the DLC via email, and if you attend the Festival, you get a free DemFest t-shirt in thanks for becoming a Friend of DemFest.  Just claim your t-shirt at the DemFest entrance table.
  1. DONATE at least $100 to help sustain and grow DemFest.  On the donation page, type “Friend of DemFest” in the note box.
  2. SUBSCRIBE to the DMV Democracy Dispatch, launching in the first half of 2026.  The Dispatch will, every other month, share: (a) selected democracy-related DC area events, new publications, and other news, (b) profiles of local democracy leaders, and (c) interesting democracy facts, insights and images.
  3. SIGN the public statement to grow DemFest as a new tradition in our nation’s capital to help celebrate and strengthen democracy in America.  Individuals and organizations that fill out the brief form at the preceding link will later be added to this public statement.
  4. ATTEND DemFest!  Or, you can volunteer at, or partner with DemFest.  In all cases, mark your calendar now to attend DemFest on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 1-6pm at All Souls Church Unitarian, at 1500 Harvard St NW in Washington, DC.
Alternatively, if you prefer, instead of becoming a Friend of DemFest, starting at $500, you or your organization can sponsor DemFest and the wider DLC.
The DLC includes DemFest, the Democracy Dinners, five times per year, the Youth Summit on Youth Policymaking, and starting in late 2026, the quarterly DMV Democracy Dispatch.
Thank you for supporting DemFest!