Inside Philanthropy’s choice to recognize the success of last year’s All by April campaign by naming me “Foundation Leader of the Year” was a surprising and humbling way to close out 2024. I’m grateful for their recognition of the work that Democracy Fund and our partners have engaged in to stand up for our grantees as we work together to create a more inclusive, multiracial democracy.
Unfortunately, many of us are starting 2025 with heavy hearts. The devastating fires in Los Angeles have demonstrated how vulnerable we all are to the impacts of climate change. Our hearts go out to all who have been touched by the disaster (if you’re able, please consider supporting the LA Unity and Solidarity Fund to help those in need). Meanwhile, here in Washington and across the country, many are fearful about what the next four years will bring. Whether you are the parent of a trans youth, the spouse of a federal employee, or a member of an immigrant family, the policies coming from the new administration are likely to impact countless Americans in ways we do not yet know.
No one can foresee exactly what the coming months will bring for our country. What we know for certain is that this is not a time to retreat from our core commitments or from each other. It is clear that community and perseverance are what will get us through the coming trials. Isolation and resignation will do nothing but ensure our failure.
I’ve spent a good deal of time over these past few weeks thinking about what it means to lead in this moment and how to translate our organizational values into action. The principles below reflect the posture Democracy Fund will embody as we head into the new year:
- Choose hope. We will find courage to stand up for our core values and beliefs rather than retreating out of fear.
- Stick together. We will nurture community, resist isolation, and forge relationships across differences to expand our coalition and deepen our partnerships.
- Practice solidarity. We will use our position, influence, and resources to defend those who are most vulnerable and stand with those whose rights and dignity are under attack.
- Seek opportunity. We will seek out opportunities for transformative change in the midst of instability and disruption.
- Remain humble. We will question our assumptions about how we got here and how to achieve meaningful change. Even under pressure, we will maintain a posture of curiosity.
- Bolster resilience. We will rest, practice self care, and find ways to step forward when others need to step back. We will celebrate moments of joy, progress, and beauty.
- Live our values. We will reject violence, not dehumanize opponents, and stand by the principles of an inclusive democracy.
Practically, it will take time to know all the ways that these principles will be put into practice. But there are four commitments that I can make today:
- Democracy Fund and our 501c4 partner Democracy Fund Voice will not stray from our respective organizational strategies. Nor will we reduce our budgets just because it is no longer a presidential election year. We will not turn our backs on our grantees and will pay particular attention to their safety, security, and emotional well-being.
- We will work with our peers to flatten the boom and bust cycle of election giving that has so often characterized philanthropic practices. Our team will make extra effort to strengthen and broaden our relationships with leaders across the field and peers across philanthropy.
- We will not shy away from support of grantees who come under unfair pressure and scrutiny – especially as it relates to our commitment to racial justice, just as we refused to abandon our support of BAMEMSA communities this past year.
- We will advocate for the kind of democracy we deserve and not defend the status quo. Too often in seeking to stand up for our democracy, the pro-democracy community has found itself in the position of defending broken, unpopular institutions – leaving some in the public to believe that we do not see the many ways our political system is failing them. We need to give people something to aspire to.
I very much hope that the leaders of our country will live up to their pledges to strengthen our nation. I share the goals of reducing corruption in Washington and making our political system work for the American people. Voters have clearly communicated that they are unhappy with the direction our country is going, and I for one agree that there is plenty broken that must be fixed.
I fear, however, that our nation’s leaders will misread their mandate, focusing their attention on the priorities of a narrow base rather than the public good. I fear that power will be abused and fundamental rights infringed upon. If this comes to pass, it is incumbent upon civil society to hold our government accountable and ensure that the American people see how their neighbors and fellow community members are being harmed.
If the past is a guide for the future, it is safe to say that the coming months will bring many unexpected twists and turns. Those who speak confidently about what will happen next should be viewed with suspicion. As we head into these uncharted waters, I pledge to hold to Democracy Fund’s core values and continue to support our grantees as we work towards a better tomorrow.