@joegoldman.bsky.social sheds light on the administration's claims of voter fraud in his latest Hope in the Dark column. It’s through collective action that we can ensure people are supported, protected, and able to participate fully in our democracy. nonprofitquarterly.org/free-and-fai...

Free and Fair Elections Are Under Attack Under the Guise of “Voter Fraud” | Nonprofit Quarterly | Civic News. Empowering Nonprofits. Advancing Justice.

Claims of voter fraud are the cover for tactics that undermine faith in our elections and make it harder to participate in democracy.

nonprofitquarterly.org

We are halfway through 2026 and four months from election day. Democracy funders, how do your predictions from 2025 measure up against where you currently stand? Let’s take a look back at the survey results.

In March, our President, @joegoldman.bsky.social, identified four tests for the viability of our democracy in 2026. Test four, “Will we have free and fair elections?” was thrust into the spotlight last night. Discover the answer and what needs to happen: nonprofitquarterly.org/hope-in-the-...

Hope in the Dark: Four Tests for the Pro-Democracy Movement in 2026 | Nonprofit Quarterly | Civic News. Empowering Nonprofits. Advancing Justice.

Our democracy has already moved into being a competitive authoritarian system in which the playing field is uneven. If we fail the four tests, then that unfairness may well get locked in for decades t...

nonprofitquarterly.org

What role can philanthropy play to lessen the systemic burnout problem for nonprofits? A major one. Democracy Fund’s Kalpana Simhan and Dan Gurmankin dive into the benefits of flexible reporting for nonprofit burnout. Read more: nonprofitquarterly.org/burnout-rate...

Burnout Rates Across Nonprofits Are Rising—but Flexible Reporting Could Help | Nonprofit Quarterly | Civic News. Empowering Nonprofits. Advancing Justice.

Burnout in the nonprofit sector is, and will continue to be, an ongoing issue. But advocates see flexible, relationship-centered grant reporting as a solution to burnout and a step toward more equitab...

nonprofitquarterly.org

Last week, our president, @joegoldman.bsky.social, and @protectdemocracy.org's @ianbassin.bsky.social released a new op-ed in the @inquirer.com, highlighting how the DOJ has forfeited the benefit of the doubt and that we must now act accordingly. Read more: www.inquirer.com/opinion/comm...

July 4 also marks the 12th anniversary of Democracy Fund as an independent grantmaking foundation. Our work of defending and strengthening democracy has expanded into reimagining it. We're working to fulfill the promises of liberty and justice—and to rebuild a stronger nation for the next 250 years.

“When judges, attorneys, and academics no longer believe the government’s lawyers, something fundamental breaks in the American legal system.” Read @joegoldman.bsky.social and @ianbassin.bsky.social's new op-ed on how the DOJ has forfeited the benefit of the doubt: www.inquirer.com/opinion/comm...

The Trump Justice Dept. has forfeited the benefit of the doubt. Act accordingly. | Opinion

When judges, attorneys, and academics no longer believe the government’s lawyers, something fundamental breaks in the American legal system, write Joe Goldman and Ian Bassin.

inquirer.com

Strong communities depend on trusted local information. We're honored to be part of Press Forward's new $1.5 million investment in state-level efforts to strengthen local news, ensuring more communities have the information they need to make decisions about their lives. Learn more: bit.ly/44kXA5E

Press Forward Invests $1.45 Million to Advance State Policies Supporting Local News | Press Forward

The investment will help coalitions advocate for states to expand access to trusted local news.

bit.ly

The collective fuels our democracy. It's thanks to our communities that we remain united as an inclusive, multiracial democracy. In his latest piece, @joegoldman.bsky.social names the current authoritarian playbook hoping to divide us: anticipatory obedience. nonprofitquarterly.org/series/hope-...

$268M has been moved to support nonpartisan election organizations through #AllbyApril. But they still need your support to fill funding gaps before the general election—and for some, primaries still to come. It's not too late. If you are considering supporting, the best time is now. allbyapril.org

Capacity is not a side issue. Staffing, burnout, and infrastructure shape what advocacy organizations can sustain. @rxfoundation.bsky.social's Signals from the Field names what leaders are experiencing. www.rxfoundation.org/report/signa...

Even in difficult times, there are reasons for hope. “Hope in the Dark” is Democracy Fund President @joegoldman.bsky.social's ongoing search for bright spots: the forward movement and tangible signs of progress toward a democracy that works for everyone. 🧵1/3

$268 million in 501c3 support has been moved to strengthen nonpartisan election work. We are grateful for all the funders who have participated in #AllbyApril. But the work is far from over, and critical funding gaps remain. It’s not too late to still have an impact. allbyapril.org

The issues that affect our daily lives, from healthcare to finances to housing, require democracy to help us solve them. A thriving democracy starts with strengthening our communities, so people can shape their futures and change the systems that impact their lives. www.rwjf.org/en/about-rwj...

Answering the Call for a Healthy, Inclusive Democracy

During a time of calculated attacks against our democracy, we hear a call for justice from every neighborhood and community. A call for those with power, privilege, and resources to put those on the l...

rwjf.org

"Anticipatory obedience is a choice. So is standing up for one another." The second @joegoldman.bsky.social's six-part series on democracy is out in @npquarterly.bsky.social 🧵1/4

Can philanthropy step up for American democracy? Join Issue One on May 18 for a discussion to answer this question and more. Featuring Glen Galaich of the Stupski Foundation discussing his new book with leading democracy funders, including our President, Joe Goldman. RSVP: booktalkdcmy26.rsvpify.com

Can Philanthropy Save Democracy? - RSVPify

May 18, 2026 @ 5:00 PM - Grey Oaks Country Club - 2400 Grey Oaks Dr N, Naples, FL 34105, USA

booktalkdcmy26.rsvpify.com

Though April is over, the spirit behind #AllByApril continues. It’s not too late to support free and fair elections. Thank you to every funder, grantee, and donor who helped ensure organizations can hire earlier, plan more effectively, and activate faster.

We're proud to share that our President is one of TIME’s 100 most influential people in philanthropy. This reflects Joe’s steadfast leadership and the importance of philanthropy in building a democracy that works for everyone—especially those it has historically left behind. time.com/collection/t...

We are grateful to @staceyabrams.com and Virginia Kase Solomón for participating in yesterday’s panel at FCCP’s Annual Convening, moderated by Democracy Fund’s José Morales Jr. Thank you for your tireless work in building an inclusive, multiracial democracy—both now and for the future.

Our collective future depends on more than halting the growing authoritarian movement — it requires us to act courageously to carve a new path forward. Learn more about our new programmatic approach: democracyfund.org/idea/embraci...

For over 50 years, SPLC has fought for the dignity and equal treatment of every person in this country. With 30+ partner funders (and counting) committed to democracy, justice, and a healthy civil society, we stand firm in our support of SPLC. Read our statement: democracyfund.org/idea/sign-on...

The Supreme Court ruling on the Voting Rights Act marks a defining and deeply disappointing moment for American democracy. The consequences will be felt in communities across the country, limiting our ability to have free and fair elections. Read our full statement. democracyfund.org/idea/stateme...

​Today marks the end of April and the final call for the #AllByApril campaign, which has urged funders to get their election-related grants out early. The threats to free and fair elections in 2026 are real and growing, and there’s still time to make a difference. Let’s keep going: AllByApril.org

Thank you, Remaya Campbell from Open Shadows, Hannah Fried from All Voting is Local, and Mazin Sidahmed from Documented, for joining us during our Home Week, sharing the important work you all do to protect democracy, and helping us in our pursuit of continued education.

“What Does It Mean for Philanthropy to Be a Community Partner Anyway?” Janet Hernández, an associate director at Democracy Fund, wrote about what it actually takes for philanthropic partnerships to work. nonprofitquarterly.org/what-does-it... @npquarterly.bsky.social

Streamlining the grants management process can help get dollars out the door faster. In the spirit of #AllByApril, consider how you can ease the burden on nonprofit grantee partners. Get tips from our grants management team on how to apply best practices. ➡️ nonprofitquarterly.org/burnout-rate...

Smaller, grassroots nonprofits — especially those led by and serving communities of color — bear the brunt of late funding. They're the first to cut programs, freeze hiring, or turn down opportunities. Early funding isn't just good practice. It’s a necessity. allbyapril.org

Last year, we conducted a survey of 151 foundations, donors, advisors, and funding intermediaries in the democracy field to find out how philanthropy is responding to a changed world. Check out the summary of our findings below, and see the full results here: democracyfund.org/idea/what-de...

In the first installment of the Hope in the Dark series for NPQ, @joegoldman.bsky.social proposes four tests to determine the viability of our democracy. If we pass these tests, we earn the opportunity to create a society that is more open, free, and representative of all Americans.

Hope in the Dark: Four Tests for the Pro-Democracy Movement in 2026 | Nonprofit Quarterly | Civic News. Empowering Nonprofits. Advancing Justice.

Our democracy has already moved into being a competitive authoritarian system in which the playing field is uneven. If we fail the four tests, then that unfairness may well get locked in for decades t...

nonprofitquarterly.org

"Realizing the American democracy of our dreams means ensuring all people have what they need to thrive, feel a sense of belonging and community, and can navigate their lives with dignity and agency." Learn more from Sanjiv Rao about what’s ahead for Democracy Fund and our updated strategy.