I bet that, like us, you’re thinking a lot about how the philanthropy field is addressing (and not addressing!) our current moment.
That’s why we applaud and thank the Scherman Foundation for being a leader—standing up clearly and proactively against authoritarianism by fueling innovation and action.
The Scherman Foundation recently announced that they are “countering unprecedented attacks on civil society” by increasing and accelerating their grantmaking. “This moment calls for decisive action, and we are responding,” said Marianna S. Schaffer, Scherman Foundation Board President.
We’re honored that Scherman recognizes our commitment to ensuring movements have the skills and inspiration they need to innovate and adapt. In the past months alone, our work has included:
- Energizer Labs training hundreds of activists in new tactics
- the Innovation Leadership program preparing movement leaders for what’s next,
- Field Tests researching which creative strategists work best on the ground, and
- the How to Win Series sharing how activists succeed even under authoritarianism.
Scherman chose us for the Future Fund because we create and realize innovative approaches that change narratives, shift culture, and build coalitions grounded in research about what really works.
As Scherman Program Director Gisela Alvarez said, “This crisis is an opportunity for philanthropy to re-examine and adapt its practices and structures.”
The Scherman Foundation board and staff are calling on their fellow funders to protect and strengthen frontline organizations. They’re right: philanthropy must abandon entrenched norms and embrace the swift, responsive action this moment demands.
We applaud and thank Scherman for their vision and proactivity—and invite you to join them.
The Future Fund grant gets us 50% of the way to our 2026 fundraising goal. With your support, we can fully fund dozens of campaigns to fight for fair judicial systems that stand up to authoritarianism, protect reproductive rights, ensure fair elections, ignite climate movements, fuel youth civic engagement, and so much more.
Donate today to stand with Scherman in fueling innovation, culture-shifting campaigns, and the creativity our movements need to win.
