Neighbors talking, listening, and learning, without the noise. Join our nonpartisan park pop-ups in Oshkosh coming back this summer!

Mission + Vision

Our mission at Groundfloor Democracy is simple and urgent: strengthen democracy in Wisconsin through pop-up civic dialogues and community hubs that meet people wherever they gather.

Our vision is bold: rebuild democracy from the ground up, by becoming the foundation where people come together to decide, act, and shape their shared future.

If we want politics to change, it has to start with us, how we show up, how we listen, and how we use our voices together. Let’s build a stronger future, neighbor to neighbor.

Want in? Follow on Facebook and Instagram, share with your neighbors, and get involved.

Take the Groundfloor Community Input Survey

What do you want to talk about? What topics matter to you? What kind of programming would you like to see? This survey helps us shape our events and conversations around what the community actually cares about. You don’t need to be a member or even attend an event to share your input.

Groundfloor Updates

Read the latest updates from Groundfloor Democracy. Follow the blog for all the latest local news at Common Roots Rising

Join the Conversation!

Groundfloor Democracy is an organization dedicated to bringing civic life back to where it belongs, on the ground, in our communities.

Stay tuned to Facebook and Instagram to see what your support makes possible.

About Groundfloor Democracy

Groundfloor Democracy (GFD) is a Wisconsin-based civic initiative focused on rebuilding democratic participation from the ground up. We create simple, welcoming spaces where people can talk, listen, and engage with the issues that shape everyday life, without pressure, partisanship, or performance. Our work starts with the basic belief that democracy doesn’t live in elections and institutions. It lives in how neighbors show up for one another, how disagreements are handled, and how people learn to work through shared problems together.

We began with Politics in the Park, a series of informal, pop-up conversations held in public parks. The format is intentionally low barrier, a few chairs, an open invitation, and thoughtful questions. Families, first time participants, and people who feel disconnected from traditional politics are especially welcome. In addition to in-person conversations, we are developing a community-designed civic game intended to help people explore democratic ideas through play, reflection, and discussion. This project allows us to test new ways of engaging people who may not be reached through traditional civic spaces, while building tools that can scale responsibly over time.

Groundfloor Democracy is nonpartisan and community-rooted. We do not endorse candidates or parties. Our goal is not to tell people what to think, but to help create the conditions where people can think together. This work is ongoing, the structure, programs, and leadership of Groundfloor Democracy will continue to evolve, openly and intentionally, as more people participate and help shape what comes next.

How We’re Building This

Groundfloor Democracy is currently in an early formation phase. We are building deliberately, focusing on learning through practice rather than rushing toward formal structures before the culture exists to support it. From the outset we are designing the organization with democratic principles in mind, including transparency, shared responsibility, and openness to community input. During this stage, decisions are made by the founding team, informed by volunteers, collaborators, and community members who engage with our work.

We do not yet have a formal membership structure or elected leadership. As the organization grows, we plan to formalize governance in ways that reflect our values and lived experience. New structures will be shared openly as they take shape.

Q&A

Isn’t this what local government, nonprofits, or civic groups already do?

Many organizations do important civic, educational, and advocacy work. Groundfloor Democracy isn’t trying to replace them. We focus on creating low-barrier, everyday spaces where people can practice civic dialogue before they show u to meetings, campaigns, or institutions. Our role is meant to be the foundation where habits of participation can be rebuilt to make other civic spaces more accessible and effective.

Who is this actually for?

Groundfloor Democracy is for anyone who wants to engage with their community but may feel disconnected from traditional political spaces. We especially welcome families, first-time participants, and people who are curious but unsure where they fit in civic life. You don’t need expertise, just a willingness to listen and engage respectfully.

What makes this different from a discussion group or town hall?

Our conversations are intentionally informal, small-scale, and relationship-focused. There are no speeches, microphones, or agendas to push. The goal isn’t to win debates or reach immediate consensus, but to build trust, curiosity, and shared understanding, skills that often get lost in more formal settings.

Is this activism or advocacy?

No. Groundfloor Democracy is nonpartisan and does not advocate for specific candidates, parties, or policy positions. We focus on civic skills, listening, dialogue, and problem-solving, rather than persuasion or mobilization. People are free to hold and express their own views.

What happens if conversations get tense or polarized?

Disagreement is expected and welcome. We use simple shared norms, listen to understand, speak from experience, and avoid personal attacks. Facilitators may pause or redirect conversations if they become disrespectful. The goal is not to avoid conflict, but to handle it constructively.

Why focus on conversation instead of action?

Conversation is not the end goal, it’s the starting point. Healthy action depends on trust, understanding, and shared context. By strengthening how people talk and listen to one another, we help lay the groundwork for more effective collaboration, organizing, and civic action elsewhere.

Politics in the Park

Join our nonpartisan park pop-ups in Oshkosh coming back this summer!

Politics in the Park is a series of informal, pop-up conversations held in public parks. The format is intentionally low barrier, a few chairs, an open invitation, and thoughtful questions. Families, first time participants, and people who feel disconnected from traditional politics are especially welcome. In addition to in-person conversations, we are developing a community-designed civic game intended to help people explore democratic ideas through play, reflection, and discussion. This project allows us to test new ways of engaging people who may not be reached through traditional civic spaces, while building tools that can scale responsibly over time.

You can donate to Groundfloor Democracy Here