With each passing day, we continue to experience threats to our democracy: the dismantling of our civil liberties; the militarization of our cities; the defunding of public media; and—through it all—a deepened solidarity between far-right organizers and funders. As elections near and we approach an opportunity to rejigger political power across federal, state, and local lines, we are committed to resourcing leaders and organizations organizing for more fair and inclusive election processes.
We also know that protecting our democracy requires an expansive approach—one that equally prioritizes elections and the freedoms that make civic engagement possible. We recognize that strategies to preserve and expand our democracy must include the resourcing of citizens at the forefronts of movements for equity and justice.
Healthy democracies are built on civic engagement—and made possible through collective opportunity, security, and justice; on access to knowledge, information, and resources. A thriving democracy is impossible without a thriving people. At Borealis Philanthropy, we fund with this awareness at the center. The 400+ organizations that comprise our grantee cohort are each, in their own way, leading us towards a more just and loving future, situated in a truly inclusive, multiracial democracy. This powerhouse network includes groups who are approaching democracy …
… as voting access.
- By advocating for the successful passage of SB444 (Act 771), DecARcerate helped ensure that an Arkansan sentenced to prison as a juvenile can file for the restoration of voting rights after five years.
- Member organization Detroit Disability Power’s organizing includes resources like The A to Z of Effective, Inclusive Campaigns: Win Elections by Getting Out the Disability Vote, a how-to for designing a voter contact campaign with access and inclusion front and center.
- Between their Plain Language Policy Dashboard, which breaks down complex legislation into plain language covering 14 Southern States, and work highlighting the significant obstacles disabled voters are forced to overcome, New Disabled South is ensuring greater civic participation for disabled communities.
… as access to information.
- As migrant rights are threatened, The Black LGBTQIA+ Migrant Project’s legal sessions ensure that local community members understand how to navigate the legal bureaucratic system to gain asylum.
- Entities like Mississippi Free Press are being recognized for reporting on unreported polling-place changes and challenging a determination by the Mississippi Ethics Commission, ensuring accountability via journalism.
- By releasing tools like Speaking Out Against Bigoted, Dehumanizing Rhetoric: What We Can Do and January 6 Scorecard: Analyzing Threats to Democracy, Western States Center is shining a light on threats posed by anti-democracy movements, and offering key actions for resistance.
… as safety and self-determination.
- Through years of research and grassroots organizing, Bold Futures NM successfully championed New Mexico’s Senate Bill 10 (Repeal Abortion Ban bill), securing New Mexico as a critical safe state for abortion access.
- Organizations like Decarcerate Memphis and Marijuana Justice successfully pushed policies in Tennessee and Virginia to limit non-safety-related traffic stops, curbing the escalation of violence.
- Mijente is among the nonprofits suing LexisNexis over its collection and sale of personal data to ICE in a $22 million contract, which put millions of immigrants at risk.
… as economic opportunity
- Workers’ rights organization Equity And Transformation directly challenges unfair labor practices, and advocates for wealth redistribution and fair wages in myriad ways, including through policy analysis.
- Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants played a pivotal role in passing the Fair Chance Hiring Ordinance in Baton Rouge, ensuring that formerly incarcerated individuals have a fair opportunity for employment, significantly aiding their reintegration back into society.
- Through offerings like their NEST-EGG Savings Program and financial literacy workshops, SisTers PGH provides direct economic support for trans and nonbinary people, addressing extraction and exclusion from public investment.
… as wellness
- Liberation Medicine School advocates for a Black trans centered healthcare system through its varying efforts, such as a training programs for aspiring street medics.
- By working with the Colorado Medical Society to implement S.B.144, National Pain Advocacy Center is eliminating barriers to care for patients with chronic pain and promotes individualized methods of care.
- An interactive digital resource that helps QTBIPOC connect to QTBIPOC mental health practitioners, the National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network is essential to help communities gain greater access to therapists who are aligned with healing justice.
… or simply, as justice—for all.
- By creating and publishing Black, Indigenous, and Deaf People of Color (BIPOC) educational materials and curricula—as well as educational and equity-based workshops, trainings, and retreats—Black Deaf Project is increasing cultural understanding, promoting respect, and creating pathways to joy for Black deaf folks.
- El/La Para TransLatinas works towards a world where trans/intersex/gender diverse Latinx people are welcome, safe, represented and valued in all spheres of life—advocacy that has extended as far as the Vatican!
- Through programs like its Free Passport Workshop, Solutions Not Punishment Collaborative is working to end the criminalization of Black people and to build alternative economies of care and safety for all.
This is what democracy looks like.
Resourcing organizing as not only the foundation of democracy, but as the important practice of holding people close, visioning in community, and advocating for more—ensures that a more equitable, just, and loving world is possible.