donors and cities - celinda lake

1 Lake Research Partners

Political Donors and CitiesA National Survey

May 14, 2008Lake Research Partners


• Methodology

• Strategic Summary

• Cities Today

• The Economy

• Investment in Cities

• Messages Around Why We Need Cities

• Cities as Leaders

• Partnerships


Methodology


Focus Group Methodology

Lake Research Partners conducted a total of three focus groups on March 19, 2008in Chicago. The groups consisted of one group of young, mixed gender donors andactivists, one group of suburban political donors and one group of urban politicaldonors. Telephone numbers for recruiting for the focus groups were drawn fromFEC lists of those who have contributed to political candidates in the past four years.

Young donors were defined as individuals, ages 18-24, who said they had contributedto a political candidate, political party, charities, or causes in the last five years.Activists were defined as individuals who said they were very involved withvolunteering, church or community activities.

Political donors were defined as individuals who contributed to a political candidateor political party in the last five years.


Survey Methodology

Lake Research Partners designed and administered this survey, which was conducted byphone using professional interviewers. The survey reached 400 political donorsnationwide. The survey was conducted between April 16 and April 22, 2008.

Telephone numbers for the political donors were drawn from FEC lists of those who havecontributed to political candidates in the past four years. Data in the sample were alsoweighted slightly by education, gender, age, and region to reflect the attributes of theactual population. The margin of error for this survey is +/-4.9%.

In interpreting survey results, all sample surveys are subject to possible sampling error;that is, the results of a survey may differ from those that would be obtained if the entirepopulation were interviewed. The size of the sampling error depends upon both the totalnumber of respondents in the survey and the percentage distribution of responses to aparticular question.


Strategic Summary


Strategic Summary

• Political donors think cities important to the future of the country.

• Location, people, growth, diversity, creativity and a strong economy comprisedynamic cities.

• Declining cities have poor leadership, violence, poverty, unemployment and lossof jobs, infrastructure decline, poor schools and drugs.

• Media coverage is negative. There are positive stories to tell.

• Partnerships among government, businesses and foundations can be importantto and effective in addressing problems in cities.


Strategic Summary

• Urban and non-urban donors say cities are key to America’s strength.

• We cannot allow our cities to deteriorate.

• Messages emphasizing cities are vital to enriching cultural life and diversity and theeconomic strength of cities are resonant.

• Cities lead in solving problems and keeping America globally competitive.

• While donors net agree that cities hold the most promising approach to fightingclimate change, intensity is low.

• Donors prove more likely to punish a candidate who votes to cut funding for citiesthan to support a candidate who favors increasing funding for cities.


Cities Today

Most donors see cities as critical to job growth and development.


Somewhat optimistic about future, though seelast five years as worse in major cities.

Would you say that major cities IN GENERAL across the countryhave gotten better, gotten worse, or stayed about the same inthe last FIVE years? [IF BETTER/WORSE: Is that a lot or a little?](Split-sampled question)

Thinking about the next FIVE years, do you expect major citiesIN GENERAL to get better, get worse or stay about the same? [IFBETTER/WORSE: Is that a lot or a little?] (Split-sampledquestion)

Major Cities in the Last Five Years

-23% 9%-42%28%

-55% -35% -15% 5% 25%

A lot worse A little worse A lot better A little better

Major Cities in the Next Five Years

-9% 8%-25% 31%

-30% -10% 10% 30%


Addressing problems in cities is extremelyimportant to the country.

How important to the country is it that problems in cities be addressed –extremely important, very important,somewhat important, a little important, or not important at all? (Split-sampled question)


Cities are extremely important to the future ofthe country.

How important are cities to the future of the country – extremely important, very important,somewhat important, a little important, or not important at all?

Importance of Cities to Future of the Country

41%

-1%

-2%-21% 79%

-25% -5% 15% 35% 55% 75%

Not important at all A little important Somewhat important Extremely important Very important


The Economy

Donors believe there is a strong connection between the U.S. economy andthe economies of cities.


On the importance of cities:

“Cities are just going to keep getting more and more important.”– Suburban female donor

“We should be making our economy more competitive to keep those jobs and to keep our citiesvibrant.” – Suburban male donor

“[The city is] the economic engine of the area.” – Urban male donor

“Cities are innovation centers.” – Suburban male donor

“Cities with high-value jobs and innovative activity propel economic growth and the growth of thecity, state and country.” – Urban female donor


Urban and suburban economies are closelyconnected.

Generally speaking, thinking about the relationship between cities and suburbs – do you think the economybetween cities and suburbs is closely connected, somewhat connected, a little connected, or not connected atall? (Split-sampled question)

Relationship Between Cities and Suburbs

-7% 49%-14% 85%

-20% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

Not connected at all A little connected Closely connected Somewhat connected


Urban economies are connected to the countryoverall.

Generally speaking, thinking about the relationship between cities and the country overall – do you think theeconomy between cities and the country overall is closely connected, somewhat connected, a little connected, ornot connected at all? (Split-sampled question)

Relationship Between Cities and the Country

59%-7% 89%

-15% 5% 25% 45% 65% 85%

Not connected at all A little connected Closely connected Somewhat connected


Investment in Cities

Over half of political donors are extremely or very favorable towardincreased investments in cities.


Donors favor increased investment in cities.

Thinking about investments in cities, on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 means you are not at all favorable towardincreased investments in cities and 10 means you are extremely favorable toward increased investments in U.S.cities, how favorable are you toward increased investments in US cities?

Favorability: Investing in Cities

(Mean: 7.4)

28% 26% 17% 9% 10%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

10 8-9 6-7 5 0-4

54%


Investing in cities is critical.

“[T]here [are] people in the cities, and you should always invest in people.” – Young femaledonor/activist

“Cities should have more because they need more .” – Urban male donor

“There are things that are provided by cities and metropolitan areas that are used by thosesurrounding suburbs, like water.” – Suburban female donor

“Cities are becoming innovative and investing time, resources, and money in alternative fuelsand advancing different types of industry and businesses, and they should have theopportunity…to get federal funds.” – Suburban male donor

“Move the money [from the war to the cities].” – Urban female donor


Non-urban donors support increasedinvestments in cities.


Donors are more willing to punish a candidatewho cuts funding for cities.

If a candidate for elected office came out in support of morefunding for American cities, would that make you more or lesslikely to vote for that candidate or wouldn’t it make a difference?[If more/less likely, Ask: Is that much/somewhat?] (Split-sampled question)

If a candidate for elected office voted to cut funding forAmerican cities, would that make you more or less likely to votefor that candidate or wouldn’t it make a difference? [Ifmore/less likely, Ask: Is that much/somewhat?] (Split-sampledquestion)

Thirty three percent say itwould make no difference ifa candidate voted to cutfunding for American cities..

Forty four percent say itwould make no difference ifa candidate voted in supportof more funding forAmerican cities.


Messages Around Why We Need Cities

Both urban and non-urban donors say cities are key to America’s strength,which includes our economic strength.


Message Intensity

28%

61%

72%

83% 94%

87%

84%

49%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Many people say that cities hold the most promising approach for fighting

climate change because urban residents have the smallest impact on the

environment due to mass transit and denser housing developments

America cannot be competitive in a global economy if we do not have

dynamic cities*

America cannot be strong if we do not have strong cities*

We cannot allow America's cities to deteriorate

Strongly agree Not so strongly agree


Overwhelming agreement that we cannot allowAmerica’s cities to deteriorate.

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: We cannot allow America’s cities to deteriorate. [Ifagree/disagree, Ask: Is that strongly/not so strongly agree/disagree?]

Cannot Allow Cities to Deteriorate

83%-5% 94%

-10% 10% 30% 50% 70% 90%

Strongly disagree Not so strongly disagree Strongly agree Not so strongly agree


Strong America and strong citiesgo hand in hand.

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: America cannot be strong if we do not have strong cities.[If agree/disagree, Ask: Is that strongly/not so strongly agree/disagree?] (Split-sampled question)

Need to Have Strong Cities for America to be Strong

-6% 72%-13% 87%

-20% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80%


Democrats prove more likely than Republicans to strongly agreethat America cannot be strong if we do not have strong cities butintensity is still high across parties (Democrats: 81 percentstrongly agree; Republicans: 63 percent).


America cannot be globally competitivewithout dynamic cities.

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: America cannot be competitive in a global economy if wedo not have dynamic cities. [If agree/disagree, Ask: Is that strongly/not so strongly agree/disagree?] (Split-sampled question)

Need to Have Dynamic Cities to be Competitive in a Global Economy

-7% 61%-14% 84%

-20% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80%


Sixty seven percent ofDemocrats strongly agreewith this statementcompared to 47 percentof Republicans.


Cities are positioned to fight climate change.

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: Many people say that cities hold the most promisingapproach for fighting climate change because urban residents have the smallest impact on the environment dueto mass transit and denser housing developments. [If agree/disagree, Ask: Is that strongly/not so stronglyagree/disagree?]

Cities Hold Most Promising Approach to Fighting Climate Change

-23% 28%-37% 49%

-50% -30% -10% 10% 30% 50%



Cities as Leaders

Many donors see cities as leaders on issues from jobs to education topoverty.


Cities can be leaders in solving problemsaround access to jobs and education.

Now I am going to read you a series of issues that some people have said cities today could be leaders in solving.Please tell me if you agree or disagree that cities today can be a leader in solving this issue. If you do not knowif cities today can be leaders in solving a certain issue, please say so and we will move on. [If agree/disagree,Ask: Is that strongly/not so strongly agree/disagree?]

59%

63%

63% 89%

85%

79%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Access to higher education*

Access to education*

Access to jobs


*Split-sampled question


Cities can also lead in issues around remainingcompetitive and poverty.


50%

52%

52% 83%

78%

78%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

Keeping America globally

competitive

Poverty

Innovation to stay

competitive



Cities can reduce gasoline consumption andexpand economic prosperity for all.


38%

47%

49% 75%

77%

60%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Immigration

Expanding economic

prosperity for all

Reducing gasoline

consumption



Urban and Suburban Views

62% (39%)59% (37%)Immigration

78% (45%)76% (49%)Expanding economic prosperity forall

81% (48%)75% (53%)Keeping American globallycompetitive

% agree (% strongly agree)

78% (50%)71% (47%)Reducing gasoline consumption

79% (52%)76% (53%)Poverty

86% (50%)78% (55%)Innovation to stay competitive

77% (59%)82% (60%)Access to higher education*

87% (61%)82% (66%)Access to education*

88% (61%)89% (64%)Access to jobs

Living Outside a CityLiving in a City

*Split-sampled question


Invest in cities or diversify spending?

Now let me read you two statements and I want you to tellme which one comes closer to your own point of view.

Some/other people say that we are already spending toomuch money on cities today. The most pressing issuesright now – from the economy to immigration to the crisisin our public schools – affect all parts of the country, notjust cities. Federal spending needs to be diversified,spread across cities, suburbs and the heartland, all ofwhich are critical to keeping America strong.

Some/other people say that cities are critical to innovationand to keeping our economy strong. American cities arekey to maintaining the country’s competitive advantage intoday’s global economy and creating the bulk of our jobs.Cities are also the leaders in solving problems, fromimmigration to education. We need to invest in citiesacross the country to help us tackle the most pressingissues we face as a nation at this time.

(Split-sampled question)

45%43%

6%4%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

1st

statement

2nd

statement

Both Neither


Cities favored as leadersin solving problems:

Now let me read you two statements and I want you to tellme which one comes closer to your own point of view.

Some/other people say that we are already spending toomuch money on cities today. The most pressing issuesright now – from the economy to immigration to the crisisin our public schools – affect all parts of the country, notjust cities. Federal spending needs to be diversified,spread across cities, suburbs and the heartland, all ofwhich are critical to keeping America strong.

Some/other people say that cities are critical to innovationand to keeping our economy strong. American cities arekey to maintaining the country’s competitive advantage intoday’s global economy and creating the bulk of our jobs.Cities are also the leaders in solving problems, fromimmigration to education to climate change. We need toinvest in cities across the country to help us tackle themost pressing issues we face as a nation at this time.

(Split-sampled question)

35%

52%

7%

2%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

1st

statement

2nd

statement

Both Neither


Partnerships

Donors think partnerships among governments, businesses andfoundations are important to solving problems in U.S. cities today.


Partnerships are important.

%10: Very Important/Very Effective

17%

34%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%

Effective

Important

%10

Thinking about partnerships among government, businesses and foundations, on a scale of 0-10, where 0 meansnot at all important and 10 means very important, how important/effective do you think partnerships betweengovernment, businesses and foundations are to solving the problems in US cities today? (Split-sampledquestion)

Mean

7.6

6.4


Partnerships are very important to solvingproblems.

Thinking about partnerships among government, businesses and foundations, on a scale of 0-10, where 0 meansnot at all important and 10 means very important, how important do you think partnerships betweengovernment, businesses and foundations are to solving the problems in US cities today? (Split-sampledquestion)

58%


Effectiveness of partnerships is not as high.

Thinking about partnerships among government, businesses and foundations, on a scale of 0-10, where 0 meansnot at all effective and 10 means very effective, how effective do you think partnerships between government,businesses and foundations are to solving the problems in US cities today? (Split-sampled question)

Effectiveness of Partnerships

(Mean: 6.4)

17% 20% 20% 15% 18%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

10 8-9 6-7 5 0-4

37%


Celinda [email protected]

202.776.9066

donors and cities - celinda lake

Economy & Finance

cities cities

cities important

cities messages

importance of cities

declining cities

dynamic cities

yearsmajor cities

cities todaymost donors