Foundation Awards Grants To Promote Free And Fair Elections

In response to mounting threats to the integrity of the upcoming November elections, the Kenneth Rainin Foundation recently awarded $900,000 to organizations that promote free and fair elections. We will continue to ground our funding in our values, and our commitment to supporting communities and organizations doing essential work. The grants will support reducing barriers to participation and strengthening access to the democratic process for all, with a focus on marginalized and underrepresented groups.

This is part of a timely, strategic effort as philanthropic and nonprofit organizations across the country work proactively and collaboratively to safeguard our electoral system and strengthen democratic institutions. As a philanthropic organization, we strive to stay attuned to the conditions affecting the people and places we serve and to provide ongoing support as they navigate change.

The Rainin Foundation’s mission and democracy are inherently linked. A healthy democracy is essential to achieving the impact we seek—vibrant arts and culture ecosystems, enhanced early childhood literacy and scientific advancements—and our grants fund the institutions and values that sustain it. By supporting civic infrastructure, we are investing in the systems that make participation possible and help organizations and residents thrive.

Why Election Integrity Matters

Communities depend on the electoral process to choose political officials, make collective decisions and participate in civic life. When people can participate meaningfully and trust that elections are conducted fairly, our communities and institutions are stronger, fostering more peaceful and constructive engagement. The reverse is also true. When the election process is compromised, public trust and political accountability can erode, affecting the capacity of our institutions, the stability of our systems and the lives of community members.

We are keeping a close eye on potential risks that could compromise the upcoming elections, such as voter suppression and intimidation, state voting policies and pressure on election officials. These risks are particularly significant for historically marginalized or underserved groups, which often face greater barriers to participation and are disproportionately affected by voter suppression tactics.

Promoting election integrity is not about supporting a particular political party or electoral outcome. It is about maintaining election processes that are trusted, accessible and properly administered. It is the clarity of and fidelity to the electoral process that allows all voices to be heard and true democratic decision-making to unfold.

Preserving The Democratic Process

Foundations across the country are coordinating their support and resources to invest in nonpartisan organizations and coalitions working on safeguarding elections, defending civic freedoms and upholding rule of law. The MacArthur Foundation has committed $100 million to this cause; the Ford Foundation has committed $60 million; and the McKnight Foundation has increased its granting budget by 60%, with a total of $20 million going toward supporting communities and defending democracy in 2026, which they call a defining year.

The Rainin Foundation is partnering with Unite in Advance, a coalition of more than 700 foundations working to defend the freedom to give, prepare for disruption and protect the civic infrastructure on which people and institutions depend. We are drawing on our Response Fund to support this opportunity. We see this as an exceptional and time-sensitive investment that will help advance the Foundation’s goals and support the work of our grantees.

The following were among the grants awarded:

• All Voting is Local: $50,000
• East Bay Community Foundation for California’s Future Advancing Equitable Public Policy Solutions in the East Bay Project: $50,000
• The New Venture Fund for Funders for Fair Representation in Redistricting: $250,000
• People’s Action Institute: $250,000
• Silicon Valley Foundation for California Democracy Partnership Pooled Fund: $50,000

Protecting What Matters

We are inspired by the coordinated efforts across the philanthropic sector and hopeful about the ways we can continue working together to support the institutions and processes that help our democracy thrive.

While we understand the significance of the challenges facing this November’s elections, we also hold a sense of hope. Retaining that hope is part of our job as philanthropists. Together, we can preserve what is essential so that we can continue working toward what is vital.

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