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.