We have a choice as we look to 2026. We can collapse into self-interest, fear, and defensiveness, or we can expand into community, hope, and bold action. One of these options leads to entrenched authoritarianism. The other, to the inclusive, multiracial democracy we’ve been working toward — one that enables all people to thrive and pursue their dreams.
Inspiring examples of democratic resilience are all around us. A couple of weeks ago, I was in Chicago, meeting with nonprofit leaders and organizers to learn about their city’s experience facing Operation Midway Blitz. I was moved by the way Chicagoans presented a unified front: elected officials, business and labor leaders, faith organizations, philanthropic organizations, and community groups all came together to stand up for civil rights and human dignity. Peaceful and lawful protests formed, and Illinois and Chicago filed a lawsuit to block the administration from sending hundreds of National Guard troops to the city. Chicago’s playbook is now inspiring other targeted cities.
My greatest hope for the pro-democracy coalition in 2026 is that we have found our footing after a year of alarming democratic backsliding. The assaults on our democracy aren’t going to slow down, but I believe the tide is turning and we have a plan to revitalize our democracy.
Bright spots in a difficult year
It’s no overstatement to say that the pro-democracy coalition was caught off guard by the speed and scope of attacks on our democracy this year. From ICE and military deployment in our cities, to abuses of power and the dismantling of institutions, to attacks on critics from James Comey to Jimmy Kimmel, we have seen a shocking amount of anti-democratic actions.
In January 2025, I pledged that Democracy Fund and Democracy Fund Voice would not retreat from our values. I am proud of us for holding strong, and for supporting important efforts like:
- Litigation. Our grantees have filed more than 150 lawsuits aimed at slowing and stopping abusive policies and actions. These cases helped to halt deployments of the National Guard, protect federal civil servants from termination, stop the sharing of IRS data with immigration enforcers, and reverse the freezing of billions in federal funds intended for public schools.
- Accountability. Our early support for coalition spaces, including Democracy Forward’s Democracy 2025 working groups and the Not Above the Law Coalition, to prepare for Project 2025 and other anticipated abuses of power proved prudent. Not only did they support the litigation efforts mentioned above, but they seeded other efforts to defend federal workers and nonprofits. Together with state governors, attorneys general, mayors, and other elected officials, grantees are defending local communities and pushing back on federal overreach.
- Local News. In the second year of this ambitious project to support local news, Press Forward has mobilized a total of $400 million since launch, and supported the largest NewsMatch ever so that communities across the country have more access to trusted local news and information. We were also part of a group of funders who stepped up in a big way to support public broadcasting in the wake of devastating cuts. This support for local news is incredibly important to sustain during the upcoming election year.
- Community Organizing. Democracy Fund has been part of a surge of national and local funding support to local organizers and journalists in North Carolina, Chicago, and Washington, DC as they face immigration raids. We have moved more than $5 million in grants to support immigrant led and serving organizations this year. Many of our grantees also organized their communities in response to the No Kings rallies and other massive lawful protests across the country.
These are just a few of the efforts Democracy Fund and Democracy Fund Voice are supporting. There is an incredible amount of energy in the field around other powerful collective efforts like All by April, Courage Calls Us and Unite in Advance.
Preparing for 2026 and beyond
Earlier this year, Democracy Fund and Democracy Fund Voice decided to pivot our strategies so that we could better respond to the urgencies of the moment and get more resources to the field. We had to make some hard decisions, including reducing the size of our staff and making adjustments to our grantmaking portfolio. These are painful choices, but the process is not about pulling back. It’s about standing firm in our commitment to our mission and freeing up more dollars for grantmaking. It’s about making sure that we’re doing everything we can to address the urgency of the current challenges we face. In the coming months, you can expect to see updates from us on our refreshed program strategies.
One of our biggest challenges in 2026 will be ensuring that the midterm elections are free, fair, and representative of the American public. Our recent survey of democracy funders revealed that many feel angry and anxious about the state of our democracy, but also determined. Unfortunately, 85 percent reported having not yet finalized their grantmaking and strategy plans related to the 2026 election. We know from grantees that late election resources are inefficient and ineffective. When grantees don’t receive early funds, they don’t have time to plan, hire staff, and build up the infrastructure they need to be effective.
Moreover, we know the threats, pressure, and attempts to undermine election integrity in 2026 will be extraordinary. That’s why it’s time to light a fire under nonpartisan, pro-democracy donors to commit resources early. And it’s why we moved up the launch of our campaign, All by April, to call for early election-related funding. We are dedicated to doing all we can to make sure Americans can participate in free and fair elections — starting with Democracy Fund’s commitment of more than $15 million in early giving. Please reach out if you have questions or are interested in joining us.
While we prepare for the midterms, we can’t drop the ball on the many other threats to our democracy that will continue. Attacks on civil society are expanding, and funders must remain committed to strengthening our solidarity and courage. We’ve seen some universities and law firms successfully stand up to threats. We’ve seen courts holding strong, and grand juries refusing to indict in cases of clearly politicized charges. We can learn from the courageous examples we’ve seen as we defend nonprofits that come under attack, and stand firm and in solidarity as our own organizations and those of partners and allies are targeted.
We also know that abusive immigration crackdowns and domestic military deployments to US cities are not slowing down. In fact, we expect to see them ramp up. But as we’ve seen in the example of Chicago and so many other courageous cities nationwide, the public is ready to peacefully and lawfully stand up for basic civil rights and human dignity. We’re learning from each other and we know what to do to protect our neighbors. And when overreach does occur, the field will be increasingly able to leverage it – to not just slow autocratic consolidation but channel peaceful backlash into meaningful accountability.
We’re in this together
The coming year is going to be hard. But we are more prepared and fortified as a field, and there is joy and momentum in that. Democracy Fund and Democracy Fund Voice grantees and partners are some of the strongest, most inspiring pro-democracy organizations in the country. I am grateful for your work and for the gift of being in community with you.