Q4 2025 Update:
I had a blast for six years as the CEO of GoodCarts [1], an ecommerce startup that empowered people to have impact by discovering new sustainable and purpose-driven brands.
Over the last year, my primary gig was leading outreach for Weave: The Social Fabric Project [2] at The Aspen Institute [3]. I specifically brought “lead generation” into the non-profit data-enriched outreach world for their Weaver Network [4] initiative to lift up person-to-person community building volunteer opportunities. My data-enriched outreach/lead generation consulting services [5] are now available for projects across The Aspen Institute (and beyond).
See my LinkedIn profile [6] and send me a connection request for updates on my various ventures. Feel free to contact me [7] as well.
Yes, I am available for both “gigs” where I help you with YOUR goals and/or a great fit long-term job that taps what I am “best at for the world” [8] as a leader.
Current highlights include:
- Evoly.AI [9] – I advise a for-profit spinning out of Iceland’s Citizens Foundation [10]. I’m sort of a talent agent for Robert Bjarnason [11], the literal civic tech genius who is one of those rare advanced AI architects is not normally available on the open market. Robert is fundamentally impact motivated – keep that in mind if you want to try and get on his calendar – and I love working with his Evoly partner, Petur Orri Samuelson [12]. I’ve successfully connected Evoly to single family office networks and I am prospecting opportunities to connect with impact investing leaders interested in custom AI agents. (FWIW, in Q1 of 2025, I separately organized virtual meetup among some the world’s largest impact investing funds on the topic of Impact Investing and AI.)
- Lead Generation for Good – Data Enriched Outreach [13] – I’ve mastered a collection of tools that tap my 30+ years of networking and “who’s who” mapping experience including BuiltWith, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, and various AI tools. From finding the TOP 30 grassroots nonprofits (out of over 1 million nonprofits) to reach out to for Weave to helping Ashoka’s Changemaker Companies [14] build out a LinkedIn Sales Navigator strategy to identify changemakers inside of the world’s largest global corporations to going grassroots with Northern Goods [15] to help them reach Made in Minnesota friendly retailers, I do “high values, high value” outreach and networking. (Folks in the nonprofit world have zero concept of “lead generation” and the tools available for truly grassroots organization to organization outreach … so I use the term “data-enriched outreach” for that world. I share demos [16]: You have to see it to believe it.)
- LinkedIn Groups – I now facilitate the nearly 40,000 member Impact Investing Forum [17] for Big Path Capital [18]. I host two passion project groups of note – Regenerative Agriculture North [19] and Made in Minnesota Entrepreneurs and Allies [20]. I remain interested in exercising my online community management muscle.
- “Regen” – As my GoodCarts chapter came to a close, I had big ideas [21] for fostering increased consumer demand for consumer products with regenerative ingredients. Post-GoodCarts I was invited to outline a $5 million “pilot” project [22], but alas it was out of scope for their focus. If you really want an unfiltered view of how I synthesize a mix of digitally enabled ideas, read that pilot outline. (Yes, it is long. Drink some coffee first.)
- Digital Democracy? – Do I have “unfinished business” in the social entreprenuership and digital democracy space? Yes, I have a particular interest in sharing knowledge and experience across generations. Support me to write a capstone book on my first person experiences both locally and globally across 35 countries since 1994! The politics online space is so messed up that it could use a reboot with practical optimism on what’s possible if we bring democratic intent to the digital world as well as tap emerging AI for good opportunities (where I see past mistakes being repeated). We need a local up revolution led by local people everywhere. The top-down tech for good/civic tech calvary isn’t coming. For my past insights and lessons, read on and get in touch via email [23] or connect with me on LinkedIn. [6].
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Original “full-time” on e-democracy page …
I work to improve democracy and strengthen communities in our dynamic digital age. I help organizations make change online to impact the real world.
I have worked over the last 30+ years with scores of innovators across all sectors in 35+ countries in-person and globally online.
I am a Founder of E-Democracy.org [24], a social entrepreneurship Ashoka Fellow [25], host of the dynamically global Open Government and Civic Technology community on Facebook [26], and honored as a White House Champion of Change for Open Government [27].
[28]
I travel the world online and in-person as a public speaker, consultant and digital engagement expert on civic technology and open government with an unparalleled two decades of direct experience. In 1994, I coined the term “e-democracy.” Using current buzzwords … that’s the use of social media and technology for open government, digital democracy, social and civic innovation, citizen participation, public engagement, deliberative democracy, and related topics.
In addition to my roles with E-Democracy.org [29] and my 1 Radio News start-up [30], I am now available (LinkedIn) [31] for speaking and consulting projects [32].
- About [33] – My biography, awards, photos, etc.
- Articles [34] – Over 40 in-depth articles [34] and presentations [35]
- Speaker [36] – Example speeches, video/audio across 35+ countries [37]
- Consultant [40] – Consulting services and work experience [41]
- Teaching [42] – Taught at Humphrey School, Fall 2011
- Contact [43] – How and when to reach me
- Social Media [44] – Connect with me on … LinkedIn [45], X/Twitter [46], Facebook [47]
Scratch the surface with lessons from my 25 years of digital civic engagement through 2015 (before the 2016 election result essentially froze digital civic innovation and bridge building across differences with technology):
Special: Check out 1 Radio News [30], my news radio Android app startup as featured in the Pioneer Press [48]. And now, my new TV News app [49] for amazing live and on-demand video news sucked out of YouTube.
E-mail Updates
The best way to connect on an ongoing basis is to subscribe to my Democracies Online Newswire (since 1998). (Not currently open.)
- DoWire – Join my Democracies Online Newswire e-mail list
Welcome to StevenClift.com … incorporating my former Publicus.Net [50] site.
StevenClift.com is owned and operated by Steven L Clift, a sole proprietor and independent consultant/contractor.