As we kick off the new year, it is increasingly important for all donors to embrace the role we play in building the future of our democracy. The current administration is wreaking havoc both domestically and abroad: invading communities, undermining the rule of law, and dismantling democratic institutions before our eyes. For donors, sitting on the sidelines and waiting to see how things play out is no longer an option. We know it will take years to rebuild from the damage that has been done already, and donors will play a critical role in funding the capacity necessary to realize a better future for us all.
But what exactly is the future we seek to build? Is our intention solely to roll back the clock to October 2016, before the rise of the Trump regime? Or do we seek to create a truly reflective democracy, the likes of which our country has always needed but never known? And what sorts of donor interventions are necessary to achieve this? What can donors do – and who should they fund – to contribute to the development of a stronger and more reflective pro-democracy movement?
In 2025, Ktisis Capital explored these questions and more as we facilitated the second season of our Democracy Learning Cohort program, a donor learning journey designed to deepen participants’ understanding of funding strategies to protect and strengthen democracy. From June through December 2025, two cohorts made up of donors and donor advisors met monthly to navigate the complexities of the pro-democracy funding landscape, gaining critical insights into how to maximize their philanthropic impact during this unprecedented moment for American democracy.
With underwriting from Movement Voter Fund, these cohorts explored essential themes intended to help donors give more strategically and effectively. Early sessions established foundational knowledge about giving philosophies and the role of money in democracy work, while later programming delved into the nuances of the multi-entity ecosystem – understanding the differences between c3, c4, PAC, and LLC giving vehicles. Participants learned to navigate both local and national strategies, grasped the fundamentals of co-governance, and explored how to measure and leverage power beyond elections. The program also addressed the psychological dimensions of this work, helping donors find clarity amid the cacophony of urgent needs and competing priorities.
A key feature of this program was having direct access to national democracy leaders and visionaries who bring this work to life. Sessions included webinar presentations from organizations like Movement Voter Project, Freedom Together Foundation, New Left Accelerator, The Moxie Fund, and Democracy Forward, among others. These conversations helped connect funding strategies to broader democratic transformation, illustrating how elections fit within a much larger vision for systemic change.
Since this program’s initial launch in 2024, the Democracy Learning Cohort has helped donors increase their fluency with the democracy funding landscape and gain confidence to navigate giving decisions with greater clarity and conviction. Past participants have reported that they are giving more to democracy, expanding their commitments, and embracing the multi-entity approach essential to building durable power.
As a facilitator of the DLC program, what I have found most gratifying are small-group conversations about giving strategy, and the opportunities for donors to share their own knowledge and expertise with others in the cohort. They serve as a reminder that the future we seek won’t come from an individual grant or strategic plan, but through the relationship building and alignment that is made possible through interpersonal engagement.
Democracy is built by the people who show up. If you or anyone you know is interested in learning more about our 2026 Democracy Learning Cohort program, please contact [email protected], or check back for updates in February.
