Community Independents Project

What Community Independents Project does

Community Independents Project (CIP) is an Australian non-profit organization established in 2021 and headquartered in Sydney that supports community-led independent political candidates and their constituent community groups. Co-founded by former Indi MP Cathy McGowan AO, Alana Johnson AM, Jill Briggs, and Tina Jackson, CIP was created to operationalize the grassroots 'community independent' movement that gained national prominence during the 2022 federal election, when over 20,000 volunteers supported candidates in 24 electorates and helped elect independents including Zali Steggall, Allegra Spender, Zoe Daniel, Dr Monique Ryan, Dr Sophie Scamps, Kate Chaney, and Senator David Pocock.

CIP's core deliverables are the six-stage CIP Toolkit (covering getting involved through working with elected Community Independent MPs), the annual Convention (held five times consecutively, with Convention 2025 featuring 50+ speakers across 10 panels and 7 breakout sessions), an archive of event recordings, a newsletter, curated reading resources, and a directory of partner organizations. Technology infrastructure is intentionally minimal: a Squarespace-hosted website, MailChimp for email, Zoom for events, and Humanitix for ticketing. The organization operates with five employees and a national volunteer base spanning 38+ affiliated 'Voices for'/'Voices of' community groups across more than 100 electorates.

CIP is funded entirely by donations from individuals and organizations; it charges nothing for its resources, events, or toolkit. Its go-to-market is community-led rather than commercial: CIP connects, networks, supports, and amplifies community-led political action through grassroots activation, conventions, and digital content. Strategic partnerships with Climate 200 (candidate funding), Yes23/Together Yes (referendum advocacy), The Australia Institute, and a network of civic organizations extend its reach but do not constitute commercial channels.

Name

Community Independents Project

Legal name

The Community Independents Project Pty Ltd

Website

https://communityindependentsproject.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Community Independents Project is an Australian non-profit that supports community-led independent political candidates through a six-stage organizing toolkit, an annual national convention, and a network of 38+ grassroots community groups across 100+ electorates, funded entirely by donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Civic and Political Advocacy

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Political Organizations (813940)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Electoral Support & Election Observation (BPADAGAA)

Keywords

• Community organizing
• Grassroots politics
• Civic engagement
• Political advocacy
• Democratic participation

Headquarters

HQ city

Sydney

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations: CIP accepts donations from individuals and organizations to support community building and the election of Community Independents. Activities funded include connecting like-minded people, sharing resources, developing campaign tools, and amplifying the Community Independent movement.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Community Independents Project (CIP) is an Australian non-profit that connects, networks, supports and amplifies community-led political action. It runs an annual Convention, maintains a structured CIP Toolkit across six organizing phases, curates reading resources and event recordings, and operates a newsletter and donation platform to sustain the Community Independents movement across Australian electorates.

Product overview

The Community Independents Project (CIP) offers a suite of products and services centered on enabling community-powered politics in Australia. The core offering includes the CIP Toolkit—a comprehensive resource organized into six stages covering community engagement, campaign management, and ongoing representation—as well as an annual Convention that brings together the movement for knowledge sharing and networking. Supporting products include event recordings for on-demand learning, a newsletter for community updates, an online donation platform for supporter contributions, curated reading resources on organizing and democracy, and a directory of useful external links connecting users to partner organizations and elected representatives. Together, these offerings form an integrated support ecosystem for communities seeking to elect and sustain Community Independent MPs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CIP Toolkit A comprehensive resource hub with community building tips, case studies, and frameworks covering the journey from getting involved through electing Community Independents to working with them. Organized into six stages: Getting involved, Starting and growing a community group, Getting better representation, Running a successful campaign, Celebrating achievements and taking stock, and Working with Community Independent MPs. Aimed at Australian community members and grassroots organizers.
• Annual Convention Annual national convention bringing together Community Independents, MPs, community leaders, changemakers, volunteers, and supporters to share ideas, practical knowledge, and stories of grassroots action. Features panel sessions, breakout discussions, and networking opportunities, and is hosted online.
• CIP Event Recordings Archive of past event recordings including convention sessions, webinars, and community discussions covering topics such as people-powered politics, deliberative democracy, community organizing, and political campaigning. Available on-demand to community members.
• Newsletter Email newsletter delivered via MailChimp keeping subscribers informed about Community Independents Project news, events, networking opportunities, and movement updates. Free to subscribe.
• Donation Platform Online donation system enabling supporters to contribute financially to CIP's work supporting community building and the election of Community Independents in Australia. Funds community organizing, resource development, and event delivery.
• Reading Resources Curated collection of books and publications related to community organizing, political change, climate action, and democracy, including titles such as 'Cathy goes to Canberra', 'Get Elected', 'The Big Teal', and 'Kitchen Table Conversations'. Aimed at community organizers and movement supporters.
• Useful Links Directory Directory of external resources and partner organizations including The Commons Social Change Library, Australian Electoral Commission, Climate 200, and links to Community Independent MP websites across NSW, Victoria, WA, and ACT. Aims to connect community members with the broader movement ecosystem.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20,000+ volunteers mobilized in 2022 election
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ZoomcoreTechnology or IntegrationPrimary platform for delivering CIP online events including webinars, conventions, and community meetings.
• Climate 200coreGTM or Marketing PartnerClimate-focused organization supporting independent candidates. Listed as a partner organization providing support to the independent movement.
• The Commons Social Change LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial change resource library that makes activism resources accessible. Listed as a useful link and partner organization.
• Australian Electoral CommissionminorOthersGovernment body overseeing Australian elections. Resources linked for electoral information and compliance.
• Marque LawyersminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal firm providing guidance on electoral matters and compliance for independent candidates.
• Active Democracy AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization focused on strengthening democracy. Listed as a partner organization in the useful links section.
• Australia reMADEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMovement organization supporting community action and participatory democracy. Contributed blog content to CIP.
• Our DemocracyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDemocracy advocacy organization. Listed as a useful link and partner organization.
• The Australia InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThink tank providing research and policy analysis. Richard Denniss, Executive Director, has participated in CIP events.
• The Accountability Round TableminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization focused on political accountability and integrity. Listed as a useful link.
• NSW Council of Social ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeak body for social services in NSW. Listed as a partner organization.
• Women for ElectionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization supporting women's participation in politics. Listed as a useful link.
• Pathway to PoliticsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization helping people enter political careers. Listed as a useful link.
• Yes23/Together YescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational Voice to Parliament referendum campaign. CIP hosted events and provided resources supporting the Yes vote. Mary Crooks from Together Yes participated in CIP events as panelist.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Avaaz: Global online civic advocacy platform running petition and campaign infrastructure across 190+ countries. Comparable model of digital-first, donation-funded grassroots mobilization for social and political causes.
• The Australia Institute: Australian progressive think tank and CIP partner, providing research and policy analysis to support independent and community-led political movements. Comparable as a values-aligned ecosystem participant supporting the same political reform agenda.

Direct peers

• Climate 200: Australian crowdfunding entity backing independent candidates with climate focus. Direct strategic partner of CIP, operates the same independent-candidate support ecosystem from the funding side, and serves the same candidate pipeline.
• Australian Conservation Foundation: Australia's largest environmental advocacy organization with a community-organizing tradition dating back decades. Comparable as a donation-funded Australian nonprofit mobilizing grassroots supporters to influence policy and elections.
• GetUp!: Australia's largest community-led political advocacy organization, mobilizing members for progressive causes and independent candidates via digital campaigning. Directly comparable as a donation-funded, member-driven Australian political movement organization with overlapping target audience.

Emerging players

• 38 Degrees: UK-based citizen-led campaign organization funded by small donations, mobilizing members on political and social issues. Comparable as a donation-funded grassroots advocacy organization using digital tools for community organizing.
• RepresentUs: U.S. anti-corruption political reform movement organizing cross-partisan support for electoral reform and independent candidates. Comparable as a movement organization focused on community-led politics and breaking two-party dominance.
• Lead Now: Canadian citizen engagement platform mobilizing members on progressive political and environmental issues. Comparable as a donation-funded, digital-first civic mobilization organization targeting independent and community-driven political outcomes.

Broad incumbents

• MoveOn: U.S. progressive civic engagement organization with millions of members driving petitions, campaigns, and electoral mobilization. Comparable as a scaled, donation-funded volunteer-mobilization platform, though operating in a much larger market.
• 350.org: Global grassroots climate movement with national affiliates organizing volunteer-led campaigns. Comparable as a volunteer-mobilization advocacy organization, though focused primarily on climate and operating at global scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/communityindependentsproject
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/community-independents-project

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Community Independents Project