About Us

The College Democrats of America Alumni Association (CDAAA) was founded in 2008 as the first national alumni association for former College Democrats. Organized as a 527, CDAAA provides the financial and human capital for a historically underserved community in progressive politics: the youth community. Membership in the College Democrats of America has expanded by more than 1000% since 2000; in that same time, the margin by which young people prefer Democrats to Republicans has more than tripled. CDAAA will turn these short-term gains into long-term accomplishments.

By connecting alumni of College Democrats programs together for the first time, CDAAA forms the bedrock of the Democratic Party’s future. From the rank-and-file, to the highest levels of leadership—from county chairs, to Senator Chuck Schumer—former College Democrats populate the party. Working together, College Democrats alumni can build out the progressive youth community, providing funds to currently active student progressive groups. Traditionally, these groups have been underfunded, and underutilized. CDAAA will help rectify both problems—and, in the process, create and sustain a progressive youth infrastructure for the first time.

By raising funds and distributing resources to student progressive groups, and highlighting the outstanding work of College Dems alumni that ought not go unmentioned, CDAAA will empower youth to continue the progressive gains of 2008, and ensure that today’s young leaders stay involved for decades to come, long after their college years are over.

Where We've Been

In our first few months, CDAAA has already made a substantive mark on progressive youth politics.

During the 2008 election cycle, CDAAA distributed multiple grants to student groups for election work. CDAAA helped fund a major initiative launched by students from several states to turn Nevada blue. More than 400 students, hailing from California, Arizona, and Utah, as well as Nevada, spent October 4th canvassing, phone-banking and registering voters. The event was hailed by the Nevada Democratic Party and a coalition of progressive groups as a smashing success. Later that month, CDAAA funded similar student organizing programs in New York and New Hampshire.

In 2008, students played an unprecedented role in President Barack Obama’s campaign, helping him secure the Democratic nomination and eventually the Presidency. Unfortunately, far from all of these students were able to see him make his historic speech at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Doing its small part to improve upon this situation and draw attention to the crucial efforts of student organizers, CDAAA was able to raise the funds to send two deserving college activists to the Democratic National Convention who would have been otherwise unable to go. This past DNC Convention also saw CDAAA’s successful launch event, during which we announced our creation to the progressive world. The event was attended by more than 500 people, and covered in Politico.

Where We're Going

In this upcoming year, CDAA will work on organizational development and begin laying the groundwork for the midterm elections of 2010.

CDAAA plans to deliver 10 grants, worth between $500 and $2,000, to help College Democrats groups with long-term infrastructural development. These grants will solidify the foundation of these organizations so they can reach their full potential – and be successful in their 2010 campaign work.

Through a rigorous examination of young progressive groups, and research of key states for Democratic holds and pickups, CDAAA will award these grants to groups that are in the most need of the funds and have the best ability to play a key role in elections in 2010.