Will philanthropy rise to the occasion?
It’s a question many are asking just a few months into this new era in which Americans are seeing democratic institutions undermined and core norms eroded at a rapid pace.
A new survey conducted by Democracy Fund of 151 foundations, donors, advisors, and funding intermediaries in the democracy field sheds light on this question. While we have found some reasons to be hopeful, our data reveals a field that is both deeply concerned about the threats we are facing and uncertain about what it will take to overcome them.
View the full survey.
The survey is part of a larger body of research aimed at getting beyond anecdotal data to better understand how philanthropy is supporting our democracy. While these results are from a limited sample of a specialty population, we believe they are helpful to get a directional pulse check on where the field is headed.
Foundations and Pooled Funds Plan to Sustain or Increase Levels of Funding
Here’s the good news. While 89 percent of respondents say that they are concerned about a significant decline in donor funding for democracy, the majority of foundations and pooled funds say they are planning to increase their giving (26 percent) relative to 2024 or maintain the same funding levels for democracy (42 percent). Only 10 percent say that their democracy giving will decline this year and 21 percent say they are unsure.
Individual Donors Might Back Away, Though
On the other hand, evidence of a decline can be seen among individual donors (though we are working with a relatively small sample here). The majority of respondents who run philanthropic networks or serve as donor advisors say they expect the donors they work with to decrease their giving relative to 2024 (36 percent) or are unsure of giving plans (36 percent). Just over a quarter say that the donors they work with plan to increase their giving this year (14 percent) or maintain the same level of democracy giving as 2024 (14 percent).
Many in Philanthropy are Trying to Figure Out Where We Go From Here
Many donors are asking hard questions about the work they have been supporting. Only about four in 10 (42 percent) say they will not be revisiting their overall funding strategy. Compared to an earlier survey of democracy donors, optimism about the role of philanthropy in strengthening democracy has declined by 21 points, from 64 percent in October 2024 to 43 percent in February 2025.
Importantly, 44 percent of respondents say that efforts over the past decade to promote the health of democracy have been largely unsuccessful and 70 percent believe that philanthropy does not currently possess the strategies needed to significantly improve U.S. democracy.
Funders are Taking Action to Protect Against Threats
Across the board, democracy donors are deeply worried about threats to their grantees, civil society as a whole, and to philanthropy itself. Funders say they are very concerned about the potential harassment and intimidation of journalists (77 percent), opposition leaders and activists (74 percent), and pro-democracy non-profits (66 percent). Sixty-eight percent say they are very concerned about pro-democracy organizations facing legal challenges and 51 percent say they are very concerned about legislative and regulatory scrutiny.
In response, funders are making more flexible funding available (52 percent, up from 43 percent in October 2024), helping grantees respond to legal challenges and scrutiny (47 percent, up from 30 percent), and supporting grantees with improved cyber and physical security (34 percent, up from 23 percent).
Notably, the percentage who are at least somewhat concerned about harassment and intimidation against philanthropic organizations increased from 67 percent in October to 95 percent in February, including 42 percent who are very concerned.
Funders Have Confidence in Their Own Abilities, but are Concerned About Wider Philanthropy
A majority of funders believe their organization is either somewhat prepared (61 percent) or very prepared (12 percent) to act quickly and support the field on democracy issues as they emerge. However, funders feel philanthropy as a whole is overwhelmingly unprepared, with 64 percent saying philanthropy is not very prepared and 16 percent saying not at all prepared.
Overall, the Data Shows a Need for Philanthropy to Act
For many in philanthropy, the results from this survey might not be surprising, but they should be a wake-up call. Philanthropy has a responsibility to understand how our choices brought us here and to identify a path forward.
Backing off is simply not an option. We must act now and fund with purpose – doing what we can to make sure grantees know that we are with them. The key areas of concern are highlighted in the full survey results but safety, security, and legal support for grantees should be top-of-mind for pro-democracy donors.
Protecting our democracy is vital, and in order to push forward, we must focus on the opportunities and possibilities. At our best, philanthropy can be a powerful force for positive change. Let’s rise to the occasion.
Survey results can be viewed below. After reviewing the findings, reach out to partnerships@democracyfund.org to explore opportunities for addressing these challenges by partnering together.