Philanthropy for a Multiracial Democracy

What can philanthropy do to strengthen US democracy?

Bridgespan is increasingly hearing from donors wrestling with questions like: What kind of contributions matter? Where to go from here? We have spent months—before and after the recent US presidential election—talking to donors, field leaders, and advisors, reading what others have written, and reflecting on our own work to try and provide insight into those questions.

While the role of philanthropy in building a stronger democracy is a complex one, there is no avoiding the reality that outside funding is involved in our current system—and funders should be aware of the potential for impact.

It is possible to build a democracy that works for everyone, and there are bright spots where it is already happening. In fact, many people who now experience the greatest threat are also proactively leading the charge, benefiting the broader society by offering a vision of what democracy can look like.

The desire for a democracy that works for everyone is not a partisan pursuit. In fact, not getting trapped by a party or partisan framing allows multiracial, pluralist efforts to thrive. Join this discussion that will cover three key lessons for democracy donors and four ways people are working to build a multiracial, pluralistic democracy.

LEARN MORE:
Philanthropy for a Multiracial Democracy: How Investing in Pluralism Can Open the Aperture for Democracy Funders (02.05.25)