In October, we held our 2024 National Convening in Detroit, Michigan, coming together to connect and strategize at a pivotal moment for our nation and for immigrant justice. Over three days, we explored how to leverage philanthropic resources in support of people who move, enjoyed meaningful and joyful performances, experienced first hand the terrific work happening on the ground in Detroit, and heard inspiring stories from directly-impacted leaders. By gathering at such a consequential moment, we hope the sense of community cultivated at our convening will help fortify us for the challenges, but also opportunities, that lie ahead.
In addition to our webinars and programming - which highlighted a diverse range of issues, communities, and leaders - in 2024 we launched new communities of practice with the aim of cultivating a transnational strategy for resourcing migrant justice, resourcing the intersection of economic justice and immigrant justice, and increasing immigrant belonging in rural communities. California funders continued to demonstrate their leadership and commitment to migrant justice through the California Immigrant Inclusion Initiative (CIII), and we convened funders in the U.S. Southeast and Michigan to explore opportunities for coordination and collaboration.
In February, GCIR led a funder delegation to Foundations on the Hill in DC to advance our values-based policy agenda by bringing the most pressing immigrant and refugee issues of our time directly to those in power. Through our Undocumented in Philanthropy Network (UPN), immigrant leaders in the philanthropic sector were able to cultivate their leadership and share their work with peers in the field. In May, we traveled to the U.S.-Mexico border with our partners at Hispanics in Philanthropy to provide funders with a first-hand perspective of the groups working to bring justice and dignity to border communities.
As GCIR continued to roll out our ambitious Im/Migration Timeline project, we delved into the many ways U.S. policies and practices have intersected with migration to understand the historical roots of people on the move today. The first timeline explored the evolution of American citizenship and how the United States has determined who belongs in this country and who does not. Our second installment shed light on how U.S. intervention in the Americas has shaped the migration flows and patterns we see today, allowing for a more nuanced analysis and deeper understanding of this topic. As part of our convening in Detroit, we helped tell the city's migration story by featuring the history of BAMEMSA communities in Detroit, in Michigan, and across the United States.
As we expanded the state and local strategy we launched in 2023, our state and local democracy project invested in democracy-focused organizations in Texas, Michigan, Louisiana, and Nevada partaking in civic engagement work - including organizing, combatting disinformation, advancing narrative change, and political education work. We also gathered for scenario planning that helped us collectively prepare for a highly consequential election. During these sessions, we emphasized the significance of investing in the infrastructure needed before, during, and after elections so that frontline efforts to strengthen our democracy and advance immigrant and refugee rights can be sustained outside of election cycles.
No matter what the coming months and years bring, GCIR remains steadfast in our dedication to advancing justice and belonging for all. As we head into 2025, we in philanthropy must be in active solidarity with movement organizations by demonstrating a long-term commitment to this work and the flexibility needed to respond to a rapidly changing world.
At GCIR, we like to think of ourselves as network weavers, and we are immensely grateful to the leaders, partners, and collaborators who have made all that we have done in 2024 possible. In that spirit, we are proud to share with you today a sampling of our programming, communications, resources, and actions from this year. We hope you find them useful.
gcir's national convening: mobilizing philanthropy | shifting power
Detroit, Michigan, October 28th-30th
- Keynote Plenary: The Narratives That Shape Us: Movement Leaders Share Their Stories
- Redefining Democracy Track Session: Activating Immigrant Power to Advance Our Multiracial Democracy
- Just Migration Track Session: Exploring Alternative Pathways: The Freedom to Move and to Stay
- Special Session: A World Where Everyone Thrives: The Intersection of Gender and Migrant Justice
- Infographic: Michigan: Newcomers and Neighbors
- Social Media Series: Day 1 Recap Video, Day 2 Recap Video, Day 3 Recap Video
- Blog: Emerging Leader Scholarship Recipient Reflects on GCIR’s 2024 Convening
exploring the history of migration
- GCIR Im/Migration Timeline: Citizenship in the United States, December 2023
- GCIR Im/Migration Timeline: U.S. Intervention and Modern Migration in the Americas, September 2024
- Timeline Podcast: How History Should Inform Our Understanding of Migration in the Americas, October 2024
- GCIR Im/Migration Timeline: Destination Detroit: A Timeline of BAMEMSA Migration, October 2024
DEFENDING DEMOCRACY
- Webinar: 2024 Election Scenario Planning: Immigrant Justice SWOT for Philanthropy, July 2024
- Webinar: Building a Multi-Racial Democracy by Investing in Immigrant and Refugee Movements Before, During, and After Elections, July 2024
- President’s Message: Redefining Democracy by Building Multiracial Power, September 2024
- Statement: GCIR Statement on the 2024 Presidential Election, November 2024
- Webinar: The 2024 Election and the Path Ahead, November 2024
- Webinar: Immigrant Media and the Fourth Estate: A Democratic Imperative, December 2024
pushing philanthropic practice
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Community of Practice: Advancing Economic Justice Community of Practice
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Community of Practice: Transnational Strategy Community of Practice
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Community of Practice: Resourcing Rural Belonging Community of Practice
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Newsletter Series: California Dignity for Families Fund Final Report: Summaries and Highlights, January 2024
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Amplify Podcast: Filmmakers Paco de Onis and Pamela Yates on What Philanthropy Should Know About Narrative Power, May 2024
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Blog: Florida’s Child Labor Laws are the Latest Target of Anti-immigrant Exploitation, August 2024
- Social Media Series: Learnings from the California Dignity for Families Fund, August - October 2024
ADVOCATING FOR JUST POLICIES
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Announcement: GCIR’s 2024 Policy Agenda, last updated May 2024
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Podcast: ‘Let’s lean in and be courageous’: Inside GCIR’s Advocacy Tour Through Washington, DC, April 2024
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Podcast: What I learned as a funder by joining an advocacy tour through Capitol Hill, November 2024
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Sign-on Letter: Challenging Proposed Federal Budget Cuts, February 2024
- Sign-on Letter: Challenging Proposed Budget Cuts in California, June 2024
STRENGHTENING STATE AND LOCAL NETWORKS
- Group Page: California Immigrant Inclusion Initiative (CIII)
- Group Meeting: Southeast Regional Community of Practice, February 2024
- Webinar: Enhancing Engagement and Strengthening Support for Michigan’s Immigrant and Refugee Communities, September 2024
working in a networked way
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Webinar: Collective Liberation: Disability and Immigrant Justice, March 2024
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Webinar: Funding Like You Want to Win: Philanthropy and Movement Investments, March 2024
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Blog: A Powerful Journey to the U.S.-Mexico Border, May 2024
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Podcast: Changing Perspectives and Making Connections: One Funder's Reflections on the US-Mexico Border, June 2024
- Webinar: The Value of Learning in Grantmaking to Migrant Communities, July 2024
- New Pooled Fund: California Immigrant Justice Infrastructure Fund