A coalition of philanthropic foundations, including the McKnight Foundation, Freedom Foundation, and MacArthur Foundation, has rallied against threats from the Trump administration aimed at diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives. Following a White House executive order targeting such programs, these foundations called for solidarity among philanthropic organizations to protect their free speech rights. The response has been overwhelming, with nearly 400 organizations signing a statement supporting this collective resistance, demonstrating a strong defense of their values amidst increasing political pressure.
We wanted to make sure we were speaking in solidarity," Sam Bressi, the president and CEO of the Lancaster County Community Foundation-one of the early signers-told NPQ. "We're prepared to obey the law, but we'll fight together against things that would diminish our ability to express our free speech rights, including through giving.
The leaders of three prominent US philanthropies—the McKnight Foundation, the Freedom Foundation, and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation—preemptively called for resistance and solidarity.
The foundations that have signed the Council of Foundations' statement and the subsequent rapid increase in membership underscore a collective movement against threats to diversity and free speech in philanthropy.
By the end of the week, about 20 groups had answered the call. Less than a week later, the number of signatories has grown more than tenfold.
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