If there was ever a time for philanthropy to step up and leverage its power in service of our communities, it is now. It has been just over two months since the new administration came into power, and the attacks on historically marginalized groups, democratic processes, and governing institutions have been relentless and cruel. Migrant communities - among others - have been consistent targets of these brutal, outrageous, and unconscionable attacks. But, as philosopher and professor Judith Butler wrote, “While there is every reason to be outraged, we cannot let that outrage flood us and stop our minds.”
And it must not stop our actions, commitments, or strategies. Movement partners, grassroots organizations, and communities are engaged in the fight of our lives, and, as the last few weeks have borne out, the robust and active civil sector continues to protect the most vulnerable among us – while also building for a better future in the long term.
Groups are working across sectors, networks, and issues to protect and defend communities, and they are doing so while experiencing growing safety and security threats as well as funding “pauses” or cuts from government and private donors. As we laid out in our pre-inauguration recommendations, “Philanthropy has a responsibility to act, and to act now. Protecting immigrant communities – and by extension the fate of our multiracial democracy – will require a decisive and unwavering commitment from funders that takes seriously the threat before us in this moment.” After the developments of the past two months, this call to action is more urgent than ever.
While we are heartened by the work of those funders that are increasing their annual payouts or mobilizing resources through internal or shared rapid response funds, we invite the larger community of funders to step up and stand up for migrant communities in decisive and significant ways. Step up to advance welcoming policies. Step up to block hostile attacks against communities. Step up to connect with other funders to maximize the impact of your dollars and your voice. Step up to leverage your great privilege and power to tackle the challenges that deny individuals the freedom to stay, to move, to work, to transform, and to thrive.
We are stepping up at GCIR. Recognizing the limited avenues for action at the federal level, we are expanding our local and state strategy, leaning into opportunities and defending against attacks at the state and local levels. We will continue our work with strong funding partners in California while expanding our regions of focus from eight to twelve geographies. While we activate existing networks and deepen our relationships with grantmakers in strategically selected locations, we will take advantage of the specific opportunities available in those areas to achieve the greatest possible impact.
We are also advancing an updated policy agenda, focused on promoting protection and safety, advancing health and well-being, fostering belonging, and strengthening our multiracial democracy. In February, GCIR led our 3rd delegation – our largest to-date – to Washington, D.C. for the annual Foundations on the Hill event. Our contingent showed up energized to advocate for our immigrant communities, and we found the Hill to be buzzing with the many others who were making their voices heard in defense of our democracy, motivated by the urgency of the moment. At GCIR, we will - in partnership with funders and advocates - continue to advance our policy agenda in diverse localities across the country, despite the hostile political context of this moment.
We continue to amplify efforts to build power and expand protections and opportunities for migrant communities over the long-term. Through recent GCIR programming about building resilience in Texas, strengthening the economic and worker power of migrant women, and supporting children in immigrant families, we are leaning into our role as a political home for philanthropy at a time when collective action and mutual support is essential. Together, we can be in active solidarity with movement leaders and organizations so they are ready to take decisive and effective action in service of transformative social change at this critical moment.
During this time of intense fear, brutality, and uncertainty, we need to keep an affirmative vision of the kind of society in which we want to live and thrive as our north star. In her book, When No Thing Works: A Zen and Indigenous Perspective on Resilience, Shared Purpose, and Leadership in the Timeplace of Collapse, Norma Wong writes, “In a time of maximum fear, we have a responsibility to create and manifest hope - the hope grounded in truth-telling, seeing that for which it is, what it can be, what it will be.” While the challenges that lie before us are daunting, we must never cease the work of imagining and fighting for the world we want to bring into being.
Onward,
Marissa Tirona