Across the political spectrum, many Americans are anxious about the country’s future.
Nonprofit executives, business and community leaders, and everyday families are desperately trying to navigate economic turbulence, while simultaneously attempting to respond to and address growing uncertainty. Nonprofits are facing significant cuts in federal funding, national research projects are being halted, essential services are being turned off, and, to date, at least 10,000 nonprofit employees have lost their livelihoods.
In every part of our nation, Americans are being threatened by unchecked government power grabs that have the potential to upend every principle our nation is built on.
In response, nonprofits that focus on protecting democracy have been working around the clock to defend our freedoms and the rule of law. However, the current challenges to our freedoms are far more complex than we’ve seen before: Entire government departments have been decimated, previously approved federal funds are being cut off without congressional approval, and inspectors general have been fired en masse.
We are watching as government officials disregard the rule of law, which affects virtually every issue that philanthropy funds. Public health, immigration, climate resilience, affordable housing, the arts, and so many other causes are suffering setbacks in areas that philanthropy has advanced over decades. Though philanthropy holds significant assets, our funding alone cannot collectively make up for cuts already made.
While we can’t fill every gap, we can take meaningful action. We can help groups that are standing up to the administration when it violates the Constitution through its funding cuts and when it threatens the safety of our elections, the rights of citizens, and the essential missions of nonprofits.
Time is of the essence. Given the chaotic pace of our government’s actions, the resources of nonprofits working to protect our constitutional rights are stretched thin and their capacity is dwindling.
Successfully protecting our democracy requires foundations and nonprofits to work together, even those whose missions aren’t focused on democracy.
In that spirit, today marks the launch of the Courage Calls Us campaign. Together with our peers, we are urging philanthropy to join us in moving dollars where they’re needed most.
Through an initial plan to raise at least $20 million over the next six weeks — $5.2 million of which has already been committed by private foundations — we can support the rule of law, defend civil society, and ensure future elections are free and fair.
We have identified immediate investments in proven frontline nonpartisan organizations that can guard against democratic backsliding. While we know the need is much higher, this first $20 million will bring momentum to organizations that need to expand their staffs and pay for other resources to continue their urgent work.
In a recent survey, commissioned by Democracy Fund, of foundations, donors, advisers, and others who channel philanthropic funds to organizations focusing on democracy, 70 percent of respondents said they believe that philanthropy does not currently possess the strategies needed to significantly improve U.S. democracy. On the contrary, we are clear on where philanthropy needs to invest swiftly to protect Americans’ freedoms and rights, and it is time for collective action.
Informed by democracy experts around the country, the nonpartisan Courage Calls Us campaign is focused on the areas where a critical infusion of resources will make the most difference in tackling threats to democracy.
The initial $20 million will go to organizations standing up for the rule of law and helping the American electorate make meaning of government actions. What’s more, the dollars raised will work to protect civil society and ensure the continuation of free and fair elections.
Through this effort, we’ll pool funds and distribute them to a group of well-vetted organizations that have 501(c)(3) charity status. They’ll pursue lawsuits when the government overreaches and organize grassroots campaigns that get Americans involved in the fight for the rule of law.
We’ll also help nonpartisan organizations pay for physical and digital security, legal counsel, and crisis communications support. Such protection is essential amid growing threats these organizations have faced from their opponents.
Just as important, we’ll send money to state and national nonprofits that ensure free and fair elections, a growing concern given the recent executive order that could undermine election security.
Our campaign is already supported by a growing and diverse group of leaders who are expert in what it takes to protect our democracy, including Vanita Gupta, former associate attorney general; Jess O’Connell of the Democracy Security Project; Maurice Mitchell of Working Families Party; Eric Ward of Race Forward; Erica Chenoweth of Harvard University; and Sulma Arias of People’s Action Institute.
Now is the time to fund with clarity, conviction, and courage.
The two of us have different roles. One of us, Joe Goldman, is a pro-democracy philanthropic leader, and the other, Skye Perryman, is the CEO of an organization that uses the law to build a vibrant democracy and is in courts and communities responding to this moment. Together and with our colleagues, we are extending an open invitation to donors and funders across the wide spectrum of philanthropy to join us in protecting people, our democratic institutions, and the rule of law.
We know that many funders are fearful and overwhelmed by the sheer size of the obstacle in front of us. But that fear must be a prerequisite for courage. Philanthropy has navigated through intense volatility in recent history, as the pandemic, high levels of distrust in elections, and natural disasters across the country have required funders to get smarter and smarter about funding through periods of crisis.
The recent solidarity statement, to help protect philanthropy’s freedom to give — now signed by more than 200 charitable giving organizations — demonstrates that philanthropy can move as a community, and we can take action.
The need for philanthropic support is overwhelming, and we can’t do it all. But that should not stop us from acting with urgency. These times require that those with resources and influence invest in democracy with courage and boldness as a way forward.
No matter what cause a funder cares about, none of us can make progress unless we do everything we can to prevent further erosion of our democracy. Philanthropy has the resources to make a difference. What happens next depends on those willing to step up and meet this moment.
Let’s put our pledges of solidarity into action.
