May 6, 2026
For more than fifty years, the Southern Poverty Law Center has endeavored to protect those most vulnerable to hate, safeguard communities, and advance the principle…
Ideas
Explore insights, lessons, and resources from our work
Democracy Fund staff — alongside grantees, researchers, and other field experts — regularly develops resources and shares lessons on strengthening democracy. Here you will find guides, reports, and insights from our team and network.
April 29, 2026
The Supreme Court ruling on the Voting Rights Act (VRA) marks a defining and deeply disappointing moment for American democracy. The VRA ended Jim Crow.…
March 17, 2026
Over the past few weeks, I've found myself returning to a simple sentiment from author Octavia Butler: “The only lasting truth is change.” While she…
Presidential Message
Welcoming 2026 with community, hope, and bold action
December 16, 2025
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…
November 24, 2025
From September 2024 through September 2025, Democracy Fund conducted three short surveys to understand the perspectives of funders of democracy work. Overall, we surveyed 337…
External Content
What Does It Mean for Philanthropy to Be a Community Partner Anyway?
November 19, 2025
In this article for Nonprofit Quarterly, Democracy Fund’s Janet Hernández explains the importance of trust for successful partnerships between philanthropic and nonprofit organizations.
September 26, 2025
To meet this moment, we are shifting Democracy Fund’s programs and team structure. These changes will allow us to move with purpose and contribute to a safe, free, and secure future for all Americans. Over the next few months, Democracy Fund will continue to advance our new organizational and program strategy, aiming to complete the process by January 2026.
September 15, 2025
Accurately tracking turnout rates is a challenge Accurate information on who votes in the United States is crucial for evaluating the quality of our democracy.…
September 10, 2025
Political violence has become all too common in America. It must be condemned absolutely and in no uncertain terms wherever it occurs. While full details…
September 4, 2025
We remain committed to our core mission and values, but we are adapting our approach to a world around us that continues to shift on a daily basis.
July 29, 2025
No matter their missions, nonprofits across every sector are experiencing heightened pressure. Democracy Fund's Kalpana Simhan and Dan Gurmankin explain how we’re charting new territory to…
External Content
How BIPOC-Led Philanthropy Is Rising to the Challenge
June 23, 2025
BIPOC-led philanthropy is leading the way to transform giving, invest where it matters, and respond to the ever-changing landscape of pro-democracy funding, Democracy Fund's Lauren…
Blog
Authoritarian Playbook in Play: What Funders Need to Know About Domestic Deployment of the Military
June 20, 2025
The recent deployment of the United States Marines and National Guard to Los Angeles is a new stage in the democratic backsliding of our country.…
June 14, 2025
We are devastated by the tragic loss of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and we hope for the swift recovery of…
May 8, 2025
The social sector needs new models for understanding what impact might be possible when systems fall apart. Read the full article at Stanford Social Innovation Review.
Blog
How All by April Improved 2024 Election Funding — and How Nonprofits Say Philanthropy Can Go Further
April 24, 2025
In early 2024, Democracy Fund launched the successful All by April campaign, urging funders to make nonpartisan election-related grants by the end of April. We…
Announcement
Authoritarian Attacks on Philanthropy are Coming. Here’s How We Can Stand Strong for Our Grantee Partners.
April 10, 2025
As funders, we must stand with our grantee partners – our actions can help support their services, protect their leaders, and defend their voices.
March 27, 2025
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…
March 19, 2025
Our people are at the core of living our mission every day — and we are excited to announce a new member of our board…
January 30, 2025
Local news has a growing need for robust infrastructure. As authoritarian movements threaten journalists and pro-democratic news organizations, better infrastructure can strengthen existing newsrooms, provide…