Strengthening American Democracy

The University of Virginia plans to invest $100 million in the study, teaching and promotion of democracy – a defining institutional ambition for the 21^st century – made possible with a $50 million gift from Martha and Bruce Karsh to establish the Karsh Institute of Democracy at UVA.

Announced in June, the nonpartisan Institute will synthesize and build on UVA’s existing expertise in the study of democracy, public policy and leadership, and its history as a public institution founded by President Thomas Jefferson to prepare citizen-leaders to serve a fledgling democracy.

“The success of our American democracy depends upon the actions we take to build a strong and thriving culture of participation and active citizenship,” UVA President Jim Ryan said. “Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Martha and Bruce Karsh, UVA is making a major new investment establishing the Karsh Institute of Democracy. This Institute will highlight the critical role of higher education in strengthening democracy and UVA’s aspiration and intention to lead nationally on this front.”

The Karsh Institute of Democracy will take full advantage of UVA’s position as one of the nation’s top public universities and its unique historical link to the nation’s founding to serve as a nonpartisan catalyst for action. It will foster participation and civil debate on issues of national importance; support and amplify research, study and discussion of the underpinnings of democracy; and engage in public outreach focused on practical impact and action for students, citizens, policymakers and leaders.

“The success of our American democracy depends upon the actions we take to build a strong and thriving culture of participation and active citizenship.” – UVA President Jim Ryan

The Institute will bring together and augment the work of several entities already dedicated to the study of democracy at UVA, including UVA’s Center for Politics, the Democracy Initiative in the College of Arts & Sciences, the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, the Karsh Center for Law and Democracy, the Miller Center of Public Affairs, the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership, the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service and the teaching and research of many faculty members.

Melody C. Barnes, currently co-director of the Democracy Initiative, will serve as the Karsh Institute’s inaugural executive director. Barnes, who has extensive experience in public policy, including as director of the White House Domestic Policy Council under former President Barack Obama, is excited about the opportunity to bring some of UVA’s best scholarship and research directly to the public and to policymakers.

“From Congress to our public squares, the times demand vigorous efforts to sustain democracy and fully realize its aspirations,” said Barnes. “With talented faculty, staff and students – who are also deeply committed to addressing the challenges facing our country – this is the moment to intensify our work across Grounds to have impact beyond the University.”

Melody C. Barnes will serve as the inaugural executive director of the Karsh Institute of Democracy at UVA. (Photo by Sanjay Suchak, University Communications)

Martha and Bruce Karsh have a long history of philanthropy in higher education and are particularly interested in how higher education can help address threats to democracy.

The $50 million gift from the Karshes will support the establishment of the Institute, matched by $50 million in additional philanthropy and University support.

“For a healthy democracy to thrive, its core principles, institutions and processes must not only be studied and understood, but also vigilantly protected and strengthened. We believe higher education is ideally suited for this responsibility, and we’re delighted to support the University of Virginia’s ambitious effort to lead in this work.” – Martha and Bruce Karsh

The Karshes said they have long been motivated to support education and have grown particularly interested in how higher education is uniquely able to address growing threats to democracy.

“For a healthy democracy to thrive, its core principles, institutions and processes must not only be studied and understood, but also vigilantly protected and strengthened,” Martha and Bruce Karsh said. “We believe higher education is ideally suited for this responsibility, and we’re delighted to support the University of Virginia’s ambitious effort to lead in this work.”

The Karshes are both UVA alumni and met as students at the UVA School of Law. Bruce Karsh, a 1980 UVA Law graduate, is the co-founder and co-chairman of Oaktree Capital Management, a global asset management firm with assets under management of $150 billion. Martha Karsh, who graduated from the College of Arts & Sciences in 1978 and UVA Law in 1981, is a leader in the nonprofit world and co-manages the Karsh Family Foundation. Since they formed their foundation in 1998, the Karshes have committed more than $300 million in gifts, focusing primarily on education, including support for educational access, and financial aid and scholarships.

“From Congress to our public squares, the times demand vigorous efforts to sustain democracy and fully realize its aspirations.” – Melody Barnes, executive director of the Karsh Institute of Democracy at UVA.

Their latest gift will have broad impact, as the Karsh Institute of Democracy will include and reach out to UVA students, faculty, staff and alumni; practitioners including policymakers, entrepreneurs, leaders, advocates, organizers and philanthropists; educators; journalists and other media; and artists and creative leaders.

One of the Institute’s first programs will be a two-day UVA Democracy Biennial from Sept. 24-25, bringing in high-profile speakers for both in-person and virtual discussions and building on the Miller Center’s 2019 Presidential Ideas Festival that featured former President Bill Clinton.

Three recent “Democracy Dialogues” events – one led by professor Larry Sabato on Jan. 6, even as the U.S. Capitol attacks erupted, one on bipartisan cooperation featuring Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito and Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine, and one with Homeland Security Adviser Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall – were also presented with support from the new Institute, as was cross-Grounds analysis of the 2020 election and presidential transition, which brought together more than two dozen scholars to produce quick, nearly real-time analysis of events as they unfolded.

The University will enlist an advisory board to help guide the Karsh Institute’s mission, including members from both within and outside of the University. Sabato, director of the UVA Center for Politics, will chair the advisory board.