The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) invites funders to a briefing to highlight the realities facing frontline organizations doing civic engagement work at a time when the costs and risks associated with building a multi-racial democracy are steadily rising. Hear what frontline organizations think funders need to know about funding civic engagement as you make commitments for this election year and look to plans for next year and beyond.
NCRP staff will be joined for this conversation by leaders from NCRP nonprofit member organizations who are doing this work:
- Judith Browne Dianis from the Advancement Project
- Whitney Celestin from Alliance for Youth Action
- Renata Bozzetto from Florida Immigrant Coalition
- Moné Holder from Florida Rising
- Janene Yazzie from NDN Collective
The urgency for the sector to move resources for the current electoral cycle cannot be overstated. The window for funders to move money that will impact this year’s elections is closing, but now is also the time to think beyond 2024 and understand the long-term, strategic investments needed in community organizing and movement infrastructure.
There's concern among organizations that funder levels for democracy work are not increasing to meet the needs of organizations who are battling state and local policies designed to limit civic participation among people of color. In some instances, funders have given up altogether on entire geographic regions, further adding to the mistrust that movements feel toward the philanthropic sector. If we want to see a true multi-racial democracy in America, then philanthropy needs to provide the support and partnership needed to fight the rise of fascism we’re seeing across this country.