Letters to the Editor

Correspondence from Chronicle readers.

In Response to Trump, Philanthropy Should Think Bigger

While a pandemic-like response is needed — as a recent op-ed states — sector-wide coordination is also critical.

February 3, 2025

To the Editor:

Lisa Pilar Cowan’s recent op-ed, “As Trump Takes Office, Philanthropy Should Adopt a Pandemic-Like Crisis Response” (January 21), effectively cut through the uncertainty many of us are feeling right now. We appreciated how it spelled out the new power dynamics confronting philanthropy, while also providing specific tactics to support grantees.However, nonprofit leaders like us aren’t only thinking about our own balance sheets, or how our individual organizations maneuver the current constraints of the Trump administration. We’ve had over a year to prepare for the potential entrenchment and backlash and are well aware of what we’re facing.Coordinated attacks require both coordinated responses and offensive strategies. That’s why philanthropy should expand its thinking to provide multi-year general operating dollars that help the whole sector act in concert, not just keep individual organizations afloat. Flexible funding is necessary to develop shared goals, plans, and agendas, ensuring the field is better equipped to work together.

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To the Editor:

However, nonprofit leaders like us aren’t only thinking about our own balance sheets, or how our individual organizations maneuver the current constraints of the Trump administration. We’ve had over a year to prepare for the potential entrenchment and backlash and are well aware of what we’re facing.

Coordinated attacks require both coordinated responses and offensive strategies. That’s why philanthropy should expand its thinking to provide multi-year general operating dollars that help the whole sector act in concert, not just keep individual organizations afloat. Flexible funding is necessary to develop shared goals, plans, and agendas, ensuring the field is better equipped to work together.

This type of funding was sorely needed long before the change in administration, but it’s especially crucial now.

Jess Yupanqui Feingold, Jennifer Njuguna, and Sandhya Nakhasi
Co-CEOs
Common Future