President of the Democracy Fund Joe Goldman offers both urgency and clarity for donors concerned about the U.S.’ democratic backslide into authoritarianism in this conversation. As the second Trump administration consolidates power, he offers a practical three-part framework for strategic, democracy-focused giving: strengthening guardrails, powering breakthrough strategies, and working toward reconstruction. 

In a conversation that grapples with difficult questions about donor fear and the paralyzing sense of overwhelm that many feel when considering the breadth of threats to democracy right now, Goldman shares specific examples of organizations doing critical work, and an array of ways that donors can get involved. His message is clear: "Courage breeds more courage. Solidarity breeds more solidarity."

Additional Resources

Democracy Fund

Democracy Fund Voice

Free DC

Press Forward

More Equitable Democracy

Protect Democracy

Democracy Forward

Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection at Georgetown Law

Government Accountability Project

GovAct

States United

Community Change

New America

Demos

Unite in Advance 

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