Is Racial Justice 'Too Divisive' for Election Season?

Funders are asking equity advocates to wait patiently in line (opinion); plus: rural communities as engines of democracy [Philanthropy Today Logo]( This is a special weekly edition of Philanthropy Today featuring stories and content from [The Commons](. You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. If you no longer want to receive the Philanthropy Today newsletter, [unsubscribe](. Visit [The Commons]( for our latest content, sign up for [The Commons LinkedIn newsletter]( and join the conversation in our [Commons LinkedIn group](. From The Commons OPINION [Progress Is Won by Pursuing Justice, Not Waiting Patiently in Line]( By Nwamaka Agbo [STORY IMAGE]( Philanthropy that aims to save democracy says calls for justice are too divisive. But organized resistance led by Black Americans forged democracy’s greatest advancements. FOUNDATIONS [Major Funders Bet Big on Rural America and ‘Everyday Democracy’]( By Drew Lindsay [STORY IMAGE]( Takeaways from a new $50 million venture with national grant makers investing in philanthropy-starved rural America: “No one is coming to do this work for us.” Of the Moment Noteworthy news and items: - Democracy-minded business leaders John Fees of GradGuard and Adam Goodman of Goodmans furniture in Arizona [launched a group]( to defend threatened election officials. The state has seen more turnover in election offices than any other. - Rajiv Vinnakota, head of [Institute for Citizens & Scholars]( [writes in Inside Higher Ed]( how college leaders can prepare for student protests this fall. - The number of partisan-backed news outlets designed to look like the real thing now tops the number of local daily newspapers, [writes]( Sara Fischer in Axios. Many are targeting swing states in the 2024 presidential election. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE [Chronicle of Philanthropy Subscription] Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to nonprofit news and analysis. Webinars [July 18 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( It isn’t easy to create holiday appeals that capture donors’ attention during the busiest fundraising time of the year. To get a jump on these critical campaigns and a handle on what to expect this year, join us for Planning a Year-End Fundraising Strategy in the Current Giving Climate. You’ll learn from Skyler Reep of KSPS PBS and Seth Rosen of The American LGBTQ+ Museum as they share real-world appeals, proven approaches, and tips for planning ahead while staying flexible. Editor's Picks TRENDS [Nonprofits Are Taking a Stance on Gaza — and Paying the Price]( By Sara Herschander [STORY IMAGE]( Some progressive groups say donor response to their political statements about the Israel-Gaza War are leading to painful conversations about whether to tone down messaging to preserve needed revenue and avoid layoffs and program cuts. OPINION [What the YMCA Taught Me About Community, Civil Society, and Democracy]( By Eboo Patel [STORY IMAGE]( The regular people who worked at my local Y showed me how everyday institutions can bridge divides and level the playing field. GOVERNMENT AND REGULATION [As LGBTQ Rights Come Under Threat, Lambda Legal Mounts Effort to Raise $180 Million]( By Stephanie Beasley [STORY IMAGE]( The group is urging donors to support its efforts to take on more cases, particularly at the state level, where more than 500 bills targeting LGBTQ+ people were proposed and nearly 90 were enacted last year. [Chronicle of Philanthropy Logo]( This newsletter was sent to {EMAIL}. [Read this newsletter on the web](. [Manage]( your newsletter preferences, [stop receiving]( this email, or [view]( our privacy policy. © 2024 [The Chronicle of Philanthropy]( 1255 23rd Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037