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Threats to civil society from the authoritarian far right are only ramping up, warn guest authors Peter Teague and Mike Berkowitz. But philanthropy still has the tools it needs to safeguard American democracy — and itself.
Major Golden State grantmakers have gotten behind PIVOT, a collaborative fund to resource democracy work and build community power. Its initial grants have prioritized voter organizing alongside wider movement building.
The author and political strategist reflects on his long career in progressive giving — including the early days of the Democracy Alliance, the Obama years, and working with his late wife Susan Sandler to back racial justice leaders.
We spoke with the former head of LCF about her leadership during a critical period of growth, her career in philanthropy, and her hopes for the foundation’s future as Julian Castro takes the reins.
Facing another difficult election year, funders may want to take note of Fairfield County’s Community Foundation in Connecticut. It’s already seen notable success with its own bilingual get-out-the-vote campaign.
Democracy Frontlines Fund launched as a time-limited racial justice and democracy initiative in the wake of George Floyd’s murder. The collaborative is extending its mission with another $35.5 million.
Sue Cross will be stepping down as the head of the Institute for Nonprofit News at the end of the year. She walks us through what she’s learned during her tenure about how philanthropy can support local news and much more.
The outcome of the 2024 election will have a huge impact on many of the goals advanced by philanthropy, but groups on the ground are seeing major funding shortfalls. Billy Wimsatt from Movement Voter Fund has a plan.
Reflecting sector-wide trends, philanthropies threw their weight behind two collaborative global development efforts, seeking to bolster citizen engagement and shift power to those close to the ground.
In this guest article, Equal Justice Works CEO Verna Williams makes a case for funders to sustain and step up their support for diversity and inclusion, giving people of color a better chance to enter fields like the legal profession.
An effort in Ohio to raise the vote threshold needed for a state constitutional amendment failed, despite a big push from a wealthy conservative donor. It’s yet another reminder of the inescapable influence of wealthy donors.
Across the country, conservative groups are working to ban books. The American Library Association is standing up to these challenges, with a big boost from Solidarity Giving, founded by billionaires Brian and Tegan Acton.
As left-of-center groups grow ever more reliant on big funders, is there a price to be paid? If and when the liberal donor class pulls back, the fallout may leave its beneficiaries impoverished in multiple ways.
OSF plans to let go of 40% of staff as it reaches a new stage in its longtime bid to bring focus to its legendarily complex operations. Critics point to a consolidation of power amid low morale and a shrinking global footprint.
After 18 years, Ibargüen announced he would step down as head of this influential media funder. In a wide-ranging conversation, we discuss his career trajectory, philanthropy’s role in society, and much more.
Libraries are an indispensable public good, but from the start, private wealth has played a major part in their creation and expansion. As library budgets are threatened, we take a deep dive into philanthropy’s support.
Funders often struggle to back civic engagement and community power building. In this guest piece, three authors whose organizations collaboratively fund that work suggest some changes in approach.
Much of philanthropy frames civic engagement in a narrow way, with a focus on voting and elections. Guest contributor Louise Lief discusses what’s wrong with that, and what a better, broader approach looks like.
We spoke with the leader of this prominent California social justice funder to discuss her career, her experience as the daughter of Korean immigrants, threats to American democracy, and more.
Top philanthropists have become ever more adept at working the levers of power in order to shape federal policy. Here are the living donors who wield the most influence in the nation’s capital.
A handful of philanthropies are supporting grassroots efforts to push back against well-funded attacks on public education. They’re hoping more funders will take a stand.
Young people in rural areas are some of the nation’s most persuadable voters. They’re also one of its most neglected voter demographics. But this new fund from the Rural Democracy Initiative is paying attention.
Launched in October, the Omidyar Network’s newest focus area seeks to cultivate a sense of belonging among the body politic. We walk through its work with Senior VP of Programs Michele Jawando and Director David Hsu.
As this family foundation heads into its third generation, it’s backing social enterprises, taking on new issue areas, and exploring practices like impact investing and trust-based philanthropy.
Mike Berkowitz is the co-founder and executive director of the Democracy Funders Network. We check in with him to discuss the network’s approach, trends in democracy giving, what’s keeping donors up at night, and more.
Donors from the U.S. helped sow the seeds for Israel’s current right-wing leadership. Guest author Jo-Ann Mort discusses how that happened and calls on liberal and progressive Jewish donors to step up at a critical moment.
The Omidyar Network’s Reporters in Residence program is backing journalists who cover economic issues neglected by the mainstream media. It’s the latest philanthropic effort to boost a struggling field — and spur systemic change.
While some threats to American democracy were averted in the 2022 midterms, much work remains. Guest author Leslie Gross from The Philanthropy Workshop encourages individual and family donors to take the lead.
Voters stood up to threats against democracy in the midterms, but the fight continues, including ongoing legal battles. Here are three funders who decided to back litigation in defense of free and fair elections.
Billionaire couple Melanie and Richard Lundquist are throwing their support behind the News Literacy Project to arm students and the public against mis- and disinformation.