Systemic Change in the Fight for Democracy
📷 credit: Unseen Histories via Unsplash
As we near the November election, many donors are feeling anxious about the role they play in the fight for the future of our democracy. The specters of white nationalism and rising global fascism have progressive donors asking, “How can I direct my investments to best protect and strengthen democratic practice? Where are my resources needed most?” This was the subject of a recent blog post, as well as the impetus for our Democracy Learning Cohort series – 9-month learning engagements with groups of donors who are interested in maximizing their impact in the democracy space (you can learn more about our DLCs here).
These questions are relevant to anyone working in the philanthropic sector, regardless of where we are in the election cycle. How can we best leverage our access and resources to build the democracy we have never had? What is our role in effecting systemic change? What factors does systemic change rely on? Below, we will explore these questions, as well as some of the foundational concepts we use in our DLC program to help donors consider how their giving strategies impact the future of our democracy.
Achieving Systemic Change
The staggering wealth inequality in the U.S. is directly linked to the accumulation of political power. Multiple Supreme Court decisions have ensured that the more money you have, the louder your political voice may be. These dynamics are responsible for the decades-long and largely successful efforts of wealthy opportunists to systematically undermine the institutions of democracy. We see the fruits of this labor all around us: election denialism, gerrymandered districts, mass voter purges, attacks on the ballot initiative process, the partisan capture of SCOTUS and lower courts, the criminalization of protest, and more. The resulting imbalance of political power drives the social and economic disparities progressive philanthropy ostensibly seeks to address. Solving the social problems that plague us requires more than treating symptoms. The true work of progressive philanthropy must be to invest in changing systems that allow financial wealth to determine political outcomes.
Achieving this relies on the pursuit of three primary “pillars of systemic change:” 1) the advancement of structural reform, 2) building organizing infrastructure, and 3) narrative development. These three pillars comprise the foundation for fundamental realignment in how power is recognized, utilized, and shared – and enable a truly reflective democracy to be built. In addition to these components, it is critical to also make ecosystem investments that cultivate conditions that are conducive to reform.
Structural Reform
Structural reforms are shifts in policy or practice that change the way power is codified. These reforms open the door to achieving longer-term changes in who has access to levers of power and how that power is recognized. If we imagine the burden of community organizing as a Sisyphean boulder that must be rolled uphill, structural reforms are “wedges” that enable us to prevent backsliding in the aftermath of incremental progress.
For example, it is a common experience that our communities will secure a win (e.g., election of an ally to local office, passage of a progressive ballot measure at the state level, or the introduction of democracy reform legislation in US Congress) only to see that progress undone due to actions driven by moneyed interests (e.g., the unseating of a progressive champion, repealing successful ballot measures that defy corporate interests, or cynical machinations to prevent the passage of immensely popular national legislation). The constant battle over the same ground is made possible because the structure of our democracy elevates the interests of the wealthy over those of the general public.
Structural reforms open the door for power to be shared differently. They allow communities to achieve more durable wins and help ensure that future battles will be waged over new ground. In a democracy, structural reform looks like the reinforcement of voting rights, redistricting reform, money in politics reforms, or changes in how elections are administered. Such policies change how voices are recognized and valued by our political institutions and pave the way for communities to play a stronger role in governance.
The pursuit of racial equity and racial justice in America is directly tied to changing how power is held, recognized, and wielded in our democracy. The advancement of structural reform makes this possible.
Organizing Infrastructure
Actualizing structural reforms requires that these reforms be grounded in the needs, energies, and analyses of communities most impacted by injustice. Structural reforms open the door for power to be shared, but communities must be mobilized to cross the threshold and recognize the opportunity to shift the balance of power. This mobilization relies on a robust organizing infrastructure.
We measure organizing infrastructure by the relationships, resources, narratives, and actions that community-based institutions facilitate. The most effective movements for progressive change have emerged from multiracial community networks that are well-resourced, trusted, savvy, and audacious. These conditions enable organizations to build the capacity necessary to engage more people to take bold action and tell the story of their efforts in a way that compels others to accommodate their victory. Structural reforms that emerge from well-organized communities ensure that policy victories are more fully implemented and utilized; as a result, the balance of power is more likely to shift.
However, organizing without an eye toward structural reform undermines the durability of any gains that may be won. As attention moves to the next fight, opponents of reform redouble their efforts to maintain control, and the boulder slips back down. For this reason, both of these pillars are critical in the pursuit of systemic change.
Narrative Development
As communities build structural and organizing power, it is imperative to also reinforce community-driven narrative infrastructure to ensure that the dominant story that emerges elevates the conditions that have allowed these changes to occur. If we don’t control the narrative, we cede that space to those who may oppose our fight for justice. Ceding that space undermines our immediate organizing position and any learning that future generations may glean from the historical accounts of victories won.
Similar to the impetus for structural reforms, the stories that emerge must be rooted in communities most impacted by the issues that are being addressed. This ensures that leaders begin to recognize the inherent power of communities of which they may not be a part. It also places opponents of reform in a more defensive posture as their efforts to regain control are more likely to face social and cultural backlash from the masses.
Telling the right story with sufficient reinforcement from media and communications infrastructure ensures that any gains in the fight for racial justice may be more readily incorporated into the dominant culture. This is the ultimate goal of power-building efforts.
Ecosystem investments
The three pillars above are the most critical components necessary to achieve systemic reform. However, the speed at which reform occurs is heavily impacted by the ecosystem from which change efforts emerge. Ecosystem investments include philanthropic commitment to things like research, training, leadership development, building grassroots fundraising capacity, and organizing philanthropic alignment around shared values and practices. These components intersect with efforts related to structural reform, organizing, and narrative infrastructure, but can exist somewhat outside of those activities. They prep the soil for future growth and ensure community-led efforts are better positioned for success.
Perhaps surprisingly, elections also fall into this category – even in a year like 2024. Elections on their own do not shift power. The identities of elected leaders are largely inconsequential unless their presence results in shifts in governance. Our goal in electing a champion is that they will operate differently than their predecessors. If this is not the case, then our elections fail to meaningfully shift power for our communities. The true thrust of pro-democracy work is to create the conditions in which community voices are valued equitably within our political and cultural practices. Elections, while critically important, are just one component of the foundation on which the pillars of systemic change are built.
In an election year like 2024, many donors tend to think of the November election as an end date – the end of a campaign cycle and, often, the end of their democracy giving (for a while, at least). At Ktisis Capital, we encourage donors to instead think of election day as the start of a new chapter in a story we are deeply invested in. As we consider our roles as progressive funders, how are we committing our time, energy, and resources toward reinforcing the pillars of systemic change, not just during an election year, but ongoing? What role do we want to play in the next chapter of reform? These are some of the themes we continue to explore within our Democracy Learning Cohorts.
We’re not going to stumble into the democracy we’ve never had
📷 credit: Josh Barwick via Unsplash
We are at a critical juncture for the future of our democracy. From the shifting dynamics of the US presidential race to intensifying fights over election integrity and against disinformation, one takeaway is clear: democracy is in the balance.
Given the stakes, donors are very engaged around the election. But the democracy space is complex – and determining effective action can be fraught. This was the impetus for launching our Democracy Learning Cohorts, which involve monthly non-partisan donor education sessions exploring strategies and lessons for funding civic engagement and political work, with an eye toward impact between now and November 5th. Programming covers sensemaking of the 2024 elections, tips and framing for navigating the range of organizations and funds in the space, guidance on developing and refining strategy for political and 501(c)4 giving, and exploring critical questions to deepen donors’ thinking about this work.
Much of that critical questioning has centered around what’s brought us to this point in the first place, including the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation, a global rise in fascism and authoritarianism, broken electoral and governance systems, retrenchments from funders of organizing, the influence of monied interests, the criminalization of protest, increasing attacks on democratic institutions, and more. Most centrally, though, are decades of concerted, multi-entity investments from the Right.
Conversely, much of these conversations have centered around how we should respond. The “too-long-didn’t read” answer is: if malicious, intentional, coordinated actions and investments brought us to this precipice, then commensurate strategic action can allow us to chart a better path. However, merely responding with commensurate effort and investments is also not enough. We must move beyond “protecting” or “preserving” democracy – for the democracy we’ve had has never worked for many people, especially populations systematically ignored or attacked by prevailing power systems and structures.
We’re not going to stumble into the democracy we’ve never had – and c3 and electoral investments are not enough. Building long-term, durable power that looks fundamentally different will require multi-entity investments that animate a multi-pronged, systems-based strategy. Those prongs include and implicate electoral victories, but just as much – if not more – prioritize co-governance, movement building, building organizing capacity, shifting structures, and pushing promising democracy reforms (e.g., reforms around automatic voter registration, redistricting, money in politics, disclosure requirements, etc.). It also requires deepening our commitments after the election, regardless of the outcome.
The Democracy Learning Cohorts are currently focused on integrating these principles and lessons into giving plans as the November election rapidly approaches – and starting to set intentions and strategies for action and investment after the election.
The throughline of these conversations is: if you haven’t given yet, the time is now.
Supporting Maui: Rapid Response Funding Opportunities
📷 credit: Anaclara Vardiero via Unsplash
Amidst the picturesque landscapes and serene beauty of Maui, a profound tragedy continues to unfold, leaving our hearts heavy and our spirits shaken. The fires that swept across this paradise left a trail of destruction in their wake.
As we mourn for the people of Maui, we hope you will join us in transforming our grief into purposeful action. Together, we can offer solidarity, support, and hope to the communities impacted by this catastrophe.
How you can help
We recommend the following four organizations and initiatives committed to providing aid and relief to the affected communities. Through our contributions, we hold the power to play an essential role in Maui's recovery from this disaster and initiate the journey towards healing.
Hawaii Community Foundation – The Maui Strong Fund was created to provide community resilience with resources for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
Hawaii People’s Fund – The Maui Aloha: The People’s Response facilitates swift and secure support for grassroots community organizers and organizations addressing urgent needs in the aftermath of the fires, prioritizing vulnerable communities and fostering care and empowerment.
Maui Community Power Recovery Fund was established in partnership with the Amalgamated Foundation to house, feed and support displaced families and resource the long term efforts to rebuild and advance structural change. Partners of the Fund include:
Maui Mutual Aid: Local volunteer led response
Our Hawai’i: Grassroots Organizing
‘Āina Momona: Environmental health and sustainability
Funder Hui: Serving Hawaiʻi’s philanthropic community
Kākoʻo Maui: The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA)
Seventh Generation Fund – We know that any time devastating events of this nature occur, Indigenous communities are often disproportionately affected and are the least likely to be reached with aid or to be able to access resources. The Flicker Fund responds to already vulnerable and stressed Indigenous communities on the frontlines of climate caused crisis and emergencies.
Reflections about how to respond and the dynamics of natural disasters, especially on remote and island locations (with thanks to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy in particular for informing these reflections):
Send money, not items – Any time a tragedy like this occurs on an island, the question of capacity and space is raised. Fires cause a lot of debris, and with many physical spaces in Lahaina being destroyed, there will be backlogs of items that need to get on and off of Maui. It is important to not clog ports and other channels with miscellaneous support items. Instead, consider sending financial donations to the organizations listed above. This will help to alleviate that clogging as well as help to support the economy of Hawai’i and the funds are spent on other Hawaiian islands.
Avoid traveling to Hawai’i – Many people have been displaced by the fires and with the limited and expensive housing market, it is important to leave the remaining accommodations to those in need. This goes for more than Maui – many folks from Maui will have to find refuge on other Hawaiian islands or on the mainland. Travel to Hawai’i, unless coordinated by someone on the frontlines – even for disaster relief work unless that is with a current coordinated effort – should be avoided. Instead, consider making a donation to one of the organizations above so that they can financially support those already there or reach out to find formal volunteer opportunities where your presence will align with recovery efforts underway.
Environmental impact – Everything that has been burned – wood, building materials, machinery, appliances, even the chemicals to fight the fires leak toxins into the soil and water. This means that Maui has a long road to physical recovery ahead. Before rebuilding can happen, those toxins must be remediated from the land and water. Consider supporting the long-term efforts to get those displaced home.
Tourism & the economy – As stated above, Maui and the rest of Hawai’i have a long road ahead of them. The tourism industry is effectively paralyzed and economic strains on the other Hawaiian islands are just beginning. Long term investment in the people of Hawai’i will be important for their recovery, especially to ensure that the recovery is one that is just and fair, avoiding further displacement of indigenous peoples and other communities of color and ensuring environmental sustainability.
Beyond Independence Day: A Meditation on Celebrating the 4th of July
This year I took my kids to watch the 4th of July fireworks display at Seattle’s Gas Works Park. It was our first time doing so as a family. Normally, we escape the city to avoid the noise and chaos of the evening, as the explosions throughout our neighborhood make it difficult for children trying to sleep. However, my boys, growing older and more curious, insisted on experiencing the city’s celebration firsthand.
As fireworks illuminated the night sky and patriotic songs filled the air, I found myself reflecting on both the impressiveness of the spectacle and the subtle discomfort I tend to feel around this time of year. It’s not just the noise that has kept me away from the city, if I’m being honest, but the gaudiness of what Independence Day has come to mean for so many: a day of blind patriotism, of listening to Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” on repeat while waving flags and drunkenly igniting incendiary devices.
It all just feels a bit…insufficient. We think of Independence Day as a completed story, a recounting of a scrappy, startup nation’s successful bid for freedom. But in doing so, we neglect the stories of those of our people who have yet to find their happy ending. What did our victory over the British mean for Indigenous communities, decimated by colonialism and the myth of manifest destiny? How has the birth of America sustained and strengthened Black and Brown communities that have never felt the full light of democracy, despite the stories we tell ourselves? Whose freedom are we celebrating, when trans people are attacked for their mere existence and women lack full autonomy over their own bodies?
When we celebrate our nation’s independence from an authoritarian regime, how do we square this with the rising fascism that marks this current moment in the American experience?
As I watched the fireworks dance across the sky, I was reminded that there is still so much work to do. Sitting there with my kids, I also held onto the hope that this celebration could be more than just a display of pyrotechnics. It could be a reminder of our collective responsibility to challenge complacency, to strive for a more inclusive society, and to build a nation that truly lives up to its ideals. The 4th of July fete I envision is one that connects the best parts of our nation’s founding with the spirit of revolution that so many of us are in pursuit of today – one that not only recognizes that which our forebears achieved, but illuminates our collective path toward a better future.
America has always been a work in progress. Let us transform this celebration into an opportunity for growth and unity, where patriotism is not blindly accepted but earned through our commitment to justice, equality, and the betterment of our communities. Considering the full breadth of our nation’s history, it’s hard to imagine a more patriotic meditation than this.