What is the story about?
What's Happening?
Philanthropy is being called upon to play a crucial role in rebuilding faith in democracy in the United States, as civic participation declines and trust in democratic institutions erodes. According to Murmuration, a civic engagement organization, the loss of faith in democracy is a significant risk, with many Americans feeling unrepresented by political parties and disengaged from civic life. Murmuration's Civic Pulse initiative reveals that only a small percentage of Americans believe they can impact local issues, and participation in community events is low. However, community-focused organizations are working to reverse this trend by engaging marginalized groups and fostering civic involvement. These efforts demonstrate that trust and participation can be rebuilt, leading to thriving communities.
Why It's Important?
The decline in civic participation and trust in democratic institutions poses a threat to the stability and effectiveness of democracy in the United States. When citizens feel powerless and disengaged, democratic institutions weaken, and the potential for systemic change diminishes. Philanthropy has the opportunity to address this issue by investing in civic infrastructure and supporting community organizations that empower individuals to participate in democracy. By providing sustained, flexible funding for year-round organizing and trust-building, philanthropy can help transform momentary victories into long-term change, ensuring that communities thrive and democratic processes remain robust.
What's Next?
Philanthropy must prioritize investments in civic infrastructure to enable communities to solve problems and build futures together. This involves reimagining investment criteria to include long-term power-building through civic engagement across various issues. Philanthropy can take a patient, flexible approach, free from short-term profit goals or political pressures, to support sustained civic participation. By investing in shared civic infrastructure and expanding leadership pipelines, philanthropy can help create communities where individuals feel heard and take pride in shaping their future. This approach will protect and support democracy before trust erodes further and civic participation slows.
Beyond the Headlines
The ethical dimension of philanthropy's role in democracy involves recognizing its responsibility to support civic engagement as a means of fostering systemic change. By investing in civic networks, philanthropy can help address issues such as education, health, equity, and climate, which are increasingly subject to erosion without strong civic foundations. This approach not only supports immediate community needs but also builds the foundation for sustainable change, ensuring that democratic institutions remain resilient and effective.
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