Upcoming Events in The Commons
What is the post-election future of efforts to strengthen democracy? Democracy Fund president Joe Goldman joins Chronicle of Philanthropy CEO Stacy Palmer on Wednesday, November 13, at 12:30 p.m. ET to discuss his work with dozens of funders to ensure nonprofits on the front lines — including advocacy organizations and journalism outlets — have the resources they need to meet the challenges ahead. And they’ll explore what issues must rise to the fore once ballots have been cast.
Over the past decade, Democracy Fund and its 501(c)(4) affiliate Democracy Fund Voice have committed more than $425 million to work creating a more vibrant and diverse public square, free and fair elections, effective and accountable government, and a just and inclusive society.
The event is free on LinkedIn. Registration is required to watch.
News and other noteworthy items:
- Most Americans feel little sense of belonging. That means they join in community events and activities less frequently and feel less generous, according to a new report from GivingTuesday. The report introduces a “civic intent” index that includes individuals’ attitudes toward helping others and their expressions of generosity.
- Progressive nonprofits working on issues at play in this election — including immigrant rights, abortion rights, and diversity, equity, and inclusion — are facing funding cuts or threats to their reputation, offices, or personnel, according to a new report from the Building Movement Project. In response, some groups are changing their program language, including shifting away from race-explicit terms. (Ben Gose wrote about nonprofit leaders hit by polarization for The Commons.)
- Former Wired editor Gideon Lichfield predicts in his Substack Futurepolis that victory by former President Donald Trump would give new energy to citizen assemblies and other experiments in civic participation outside of elections. “There’s already a vibrant ecosystem of local democracy efforts and it will have incentives to grow under a Trump presidency.” (George Anders wrote about a citizen assembly in Bend, Ore., for The Commons.)
