What's Happening?
At the 2025 Narrative Power Summit in New Orleans, organizations such as Elemental and Our Collective Practice discussed the changing landscape of philanthropic funding for narrative work. Despite increased
rhetoric about the importance of narrative in social transformation, actual funding has decreased. Prominent organizations like The Opportunity Agenda and IllumiNative have announced closures, reflecting a broader trend of reduced support. The summit highlighted the need for funders to prioritize narrative infrastructure and long-term investments over short-term content-focused projects.
Why It's Important?
The shift in funding strategies has significant implications for social movements in the U.S. that rely on narrative power to drive change. Reduced funding can hinder the ability of these movements to sustain their efforts and achieve long-term goals. The closure of key organizations may lead to a loss of expertise and resources, affecting the broader ecosystem of narrative-driven change. This situation underscores the need for funders to adopt practices that support the sustainability and growth of narrative infrastructure, which is crucial for advancing social justice.
What's Next?
As foundations reconsider their strategies, there is an opportunity for them to adopt new funding practices that align with the needs of narrative power builders. Movement leaders are encouraged to advocate for changes in funding criteria and practices to ensure that narrative strategies can succeed. The summit's discussions may influence future funding decisions, potentially leading to more sustainable support for narrative work. Nonprofit organizations can play a role in pushing for these changes by engaging with funders and highlighting the importance of narrative infrastructure.
Beyond the Headlines
The decline in narrative funding raises ethical questions about the role of philanthropy in supporting social movements. There is a risk of funders co-opting narrative work for their own agendas, which can undermine the autonomy and effectiveness of grassroots efforts. The summit's focus on narrative infrastructure highlights the need for funders to act as resource stewards rather than gatekeepers, ensuring that communities have the power to shape their own narratives. This shift could lead to more equitable and impactful funding practices in the long term.
