www.ncfp.org Open in urlscan Pro
2620:12a:8001::1  Public Scan

Form analysis
2 forms found in the DOM

https://www.ncfp.org

<form class="search" action="https://www.ncfp.org">
  <label>
    <span class="screen-reader-text">Search: </span><input type="text" id="s" name="s" placeholder="Search term…">
  </label>
  <button type="submit">search</button>
</form>

POST https://www.ncfp.org/login/

<form action="https://www.ncfp.org/login/" method="post" class="login">
  <h3>Login</h3>
  <div class="form-row">
    <label>Email Address <input type="text" name="log" value=""></label>
    <label>Password <input type="password" name="pwd" value=""></label>
    <input type="hidden" name="redirect_to" value="https://www.ncfp.org/2022/06/24/open-call-to-family-philanthropists-please-invest-in-our-democracy-while-we-still-can/#register">
    <input type="submit" name="submit" class="button" value="Login">
  </div>
  <div><label class="check"><input type="checkbox" value="1" name="rememberme"><span>Remember Me</span></label></div>
  <div><a href="https://www.ncfp.org/login/?action=reset-start">Forgot password</a></div>
</form>

Text Content

This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to collect
information about how you interact with our website and allow us to remember
you. We use this information in order to improve and customize your browsing
experience and for analytics and metrics about our visitors both on this website
and other media. To find out more about the cookies we use, see our Privacy
Policy.

If you decline, your information won’t be tracked when you visit this website. A
single cookie will be used in your browser to remember your preference not to be
tracked.

Accept Decline
Contact Us
Join
Sign in
search
Search: search
 * About
   * Overview
   * Board, Fellows, & Staff
   * Strategic Direction
 * Programs & Services
   * Overview
   * Upcoming Events & Webinars
   * Recent Events
   * Fundamentals of Family Philanthropy Webinar Series
   * Peer Networks
   * National Forum on Family Philanthropy
   * Learning and Action Cohorts
   * Trustee Education Institute
   * NCFP Fellows Program
 * Knowledge Center
   * Overview
   * Collections
   * The Family Giving Lifecycle
   * Resources
   * Policy Central
   * Trends in Family Philanthropy
 * Our Community
   * Overview
   * Our Funders
   * Our Partners
   * Join the NCFP Network
 * News & Blog
   * Family Giving News Blog
   * Media
   * Family Philanthropy Job Board

navigation menu


OPEN LETTER TO FAMILY PHILANTHROPISTS: PLEASE, INVEST IN OUR DEMOCRACY WHILE WE
STILL CAN

 * About
   * Overview
   * Board, Fellows, & Staff
   * Strategic Direction
 * Programs & Services
   * Overview
   * Upcoming Events & Webinars
   * Recent Events
   * Fundamentals of Family Philanthropy Webinar Series
   * Peer Networks
   * National Forum on Family Philanthropy
   * Learning and Action Cohorts
   * Trustee Education Institute
   * NCFP Fellows Program
 * Knowledge Center
   * Overview
   * Collections
   * The Family Giving Lifecycle
   * Resources
   * Policy Central
   * Trends in Family Philanthropy
 * Our Community
   * Overview
   * Our Funders
   * Our Partners
   * Join the NCFP Network
 * News & Blog
   * Family Giving News Blog
   * Media
   * Family Philanthropy Job Board

 * Home
 * >
 * Family Giving News Blog


OPEN LETTER TO FAMILY PHILANTHROPISTS: PLEASE, INVEST IN OUR DEMOCRACY WHILE WE
STILL CAN



“WHEN YOU READ ABOUT THESE NEAR MISSES [OF STABLE DEMOCRACIES STAVING OFF
AUTHORITARIAN THREATS], TWO FACTORS PROVE DECISIVE AGAIN AND AGAIN: WHEN A
SOCIETY’S ELITE STANDS UP TO AN AUTHORITARIAN FACTION, USING THEIR POWER TO BEAT
IT BACK, AND WHEN THE MASS PUBLIC ORGANIZES AND DEMONSTRATES IN FAVOR OF
DEMOCRACY.”
– ZACK BEAUCHAMP, AMERICAN DEMOCRACY IS TOTTERING. IT’S NOT CLEAR AMERICANS
CARE., VOX

My grandparents came to the US to escape the Armenian Genocide but tragically,
my great-grandparents were killed. I grew up knowing that governments can commit
atrocities to intimidate and control their population. Continued denial of the
existence of the Armenian Genocide was something I didn’t understand as a kid,
but today I know that authoritarian tactics include propaganda, denial, and
disinformation.

On the other hand, I know that governments can be accountable to their citizens
and guided by justice to expand rights and improve lives. I have a strong
appreciation for the benefits of American democracy, from growing up in a
privileged community in New England that had high levels of government trust and
civic engagement, to receiving a high-quality public education from kindergarten
through graduate school. I’ve spent my career advocating for citizens to take
informed and decisive action, from grassroots voter engagement to connecting
community needs with powerful policymakers in the California and U.S. Capitols.

Now, as Senior Director for Hirsch Philanthropy Partners, I listen to and
collaborate with philanthropists and community partners on critical issues every
day. I offer my expert perspective, encourage support, and advise families to
take calculated risks. Often our interests align but if they don’t, I’m not here
to impose my passions and priorities on the families I work with. Until now.

Today, I’m putting a stake in the ground.

I’m urging more individuals and families to invest in democracy now—for the sake
of our democracy and to make progress on all the issues philanthropists care
about.

You know the context already: America is in crisis. Gun violence and mass
shootings in what should be our safe spaces—schools, churches, hospitals, and
supermarkets. A global pandemic. Rampant misinformation in a fragmented digital
environment. Declining access to local journalism. Suppression of voting rights.
Threats to election administrators. The January 6th insurrection. A public
education crisis. Dismantled reproductive rights. Destabilizing inequality.
White supremacy. Racial violence. Global democracies under attack, with the
Russian invasion of Ukraine the most dire and tragic manifestation.

You already give generously to education, health care, college access, the arts,
racial justice, reproductive rights, gun violence prevention, mental health,
homelessness, climate change, disaster relief, and so much more. Devoting more
funding to shore up a well-functioning and responsive democracy will improve
America’s ability to make progress on all of these issues. In fact, progress on
these issues depends on a functioning democracy.

Just look at a few hot button issues—reproductive justice, gun safety, and
health care. 64% of Americans oppose overturning Roe v. Wade, 88% of Americans
support background checks on gun sales, and a well-functioning democracy
improves health outcomes, life expectancy and even health care coverage.
However, policies don’t match the public interest or public opinion because our
representative democracy is failing us.

Democracy is a foundational issue that must be solved and we have an opportunity
in this crisis to reimagine and create a more just, multi-racial democracy that
works on behalf of everyone, including BIPOC communities who have been excluded
for too long but whose full and vibrant participation are necessary for a
stronger democracy.


HOW TO INVEST IN OUR DEMOCRACY

I often hear from individuals and families that giving to democracy can be
overwhelming. Anti-democratic forces want us to feel overwhelmed. I’ve heard
that the issue seems too big to make an impact or too political. It is big and
it can be political. I’ve heard you wonder whether your money will make a
difference if you aren’t giving away millions in one area to solve the problem.
It does.

To make democracy giving more accessible, I want to share an approach I created
that we use at Hirsch Philanthropy Partners to guide philanthropists in funding
democracy.

For each category, we’ve provided a few exceptional 501(c)(3) organizations to
get you started. Each organization is collaborative and effective, with
impressive and diverse leadership and teams. While listed in one category, all
cut across multiple issue areas. Of course, for every organization listed, there
are many more we could have highlighted.

 * Voting Rights & Reform: Defend, protect, and expand the right to vote and
   access to free and fair elections; end voter suppression and election
   subversion. Examples: Voting Rights Lab, Demos, Florida Rights Restoration
   Coalition
 * Civic Engagement & Movement Building: Increase voter engagement and civic
   participation, including among historically underrepresented communities and
   the New American Majority (people of color, young people, single women).
   Examples: Drum Major Institute, Georgia Alliance for Progress, Equis
 * Media & Media Literacy: Combat misinformation and disinformation; support
   media and news literacy; and build a robust, free, and independent media
   ecosystem. Examples: News Literacy Project, National Trust for Local News,
   The 19th
 * Money in Politics: Reduce the corrupting influence of big money in politics
   and expand the influence of citizens in the electoral process by increasing
   transparency and limiting special interests. Example: Issue One
 * Civic Education: Expand access to civic education in schools and communities
   to increase knowledge of how our government and political systems work,
   promoting interest in public service and democracy. Examples: iCivics,
   Generation Citizen
 * Electoral Strategy & Political Leadership: Train and recruit local, state,
   and federal leaders to fill the public sector talent pipeline with people who
   care about democracy and aligned issues (e.g., gun safety, reproductive
   justice, racial justice, climate, marriage equality); support candidate
   education; and advance or defeat ballot initiatives that undermine democracy.
   Example: IGNITE
 * Courts, Legal & Executive Action: Ensure executive branch accountability and
   ethics; expand health of the judicial system and judicial independence; and
   promote government transparency and accountability. Examples: Protect
   Democracy Project, Presidential Reform Project
 * Census & Redistricting: Support a fair and accurate census count that’s
   fundamental to public funding and a functioning democracy, including
   education and outreach for undercounted populations; advance a fair
   redistricting process to end gerrymandering. Example: Census Equity
   Initiative


THERE’S STILL TIME

If we act with urgency, there’s hope for philanthropy to bolster our democracy.

Philanthropy’s best and highest responsibility is to take a high-level, holistic
view of our problems; sustain exceptional nonprofit organizations and leaders;
complement the public sector with public-private partnerships; catalyze great
ideas; and make bold bets on innovative approaches that lead the way for others
to join. This is how you can stand up to authoritarianism.

The brilliant and hardworking nonprofit leaders protecting and strengthening our
democracy need your support now more than ever. The less time they need to spend
fundraising, the more they can roll up their sleeves on the long, arduous
journey of rebuilding our democracy to be more resilient, more innovative, and
more equitable.

Please join the most important fight of our generation.

In unity,

Adrienne Bousian
Senior Director, Hirsch Philanthropy Partners


email
 * email Email
 * Gmail
 * Yahoo
 * Outlook
 * AOL Mail

Twitter Facebook print
DATE POSTED
June 24, 2022
Written By
Adrienne Bousian

Senior Director, Hirsch Philanthropy Partners

Categories
 * Featured Article
 * Ask the Center
 * From NCFP
 * Case Studies
 * Voices from the Field
 * Friends Focus
 * Family Philanthropy Speaks


 * CONTRIBUTE TO THE BLOG
   
   Share your case studies, advice, and lessons learned on the NCFP blog.
   
   Learn More


 * SUBSCRIBE TO OUR E-NEWSLETTER, FAMILY GIVING NEWS
   
   Keep up with trends in family philanthropy.
   
   Subscribe


 * GET ASSISTANCE
   
   NCFP is here to help you on every step of your philanthropic journey.
   
   Get Help

We’re here to equip you with the tools you need to make a meaningful impact.
Contact NCFP for support!

Get in Touch

Keep up with trends in family philanthropy. Subscribe to our newsletter!

Signup

Gain access to personalized support and a network of peers. Join our community!

Join Now

1667 K Street, NW | Suite 550
Washington, DC 20006
P: (202) 293-3424

NCFP@NCFP.org
 * About
 * Programs & Services
 * Knowledge Center
 * Our Community
 * News & Blog

 * Family Philanthropy Job Board
 * Donate
 * Brand Assets
 * Financial Reports
 * Terms of Service
 * Privacy Policy
 * Cookie Notice

TwitterFacebookLinkedIn


THIS CONTENT IS AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY TO NCFP FRIENDS OF THE FAMILY. TO ACCESS
IT, PLEASE LOGIN OR JOIN THE FAMILY.


LOGIN

Email Address Password
Remember Me
Forgot password
Join the family

Notifications