by Shelley Trott, Executive Director
I woke up on January 20, as many Americans did, with a visceral current of fear and dread coursing through me. And like many, including Michelle Obama and Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, I did not watch our country’s bombastic display of oppressive power. Instead, I chose to reflect on a powerful performance I attended the night before, A Woman’s Song for Peace, A Tribute to the Past, A Vision for the Future, with legendary artists Krissy Keefer, Holly Near, Ferron and Dance Brigade. The evening called on 50 years of queer women’s activism and featured inspiring protest songs, fierce drumming and impassioned dancing. It reminded all of us in the audience that we prevail when we build community, organize and speak truth to power.
We prevail when we build community, organize and speak truth to power.
We may not yet know the full impact of the administration’s actions, but early indications reveal sweeping changes that undermine freedom and democracy. Philanthropy has a crucial responsibility to safeguard and advocate on behalf of the most vulnerable among us. Our sector has consistently demonstrated its power to make a difference—whether through artists uniting communities in times of division, students being nurtured in innovative ways to reach their full potential, or scientific research driving groundbreaking treatments and cures. At the heart of what fuels our actions is the fundamental desire to help one another. In the coming months and years, we will need to rely on each other to face challenges and move forward with courage.
We will need to rely on each other to face challenges and move forward with courage.
The threats made during the campaign were real and are now upon us. Over 100 executive orders are aimed at dismantling decades of hard work by millions of Americans—people who suffered and shed blood—to hold the United States accountable to its promise of justice, liberty and democracy for all. Orders have been signed to:
- Terminate federal diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
- End recognition of automatic birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants.
- Deploy military personnel to the southern border.
- Lift regulations on oil and natural gas production, promoting fossil fuel development.
- Withdraw the US from international climate commitments, including the Paris Agreement.
- Recognize only two genders—male and female—based on biological sex at birth.
- Roll back protections for transgender individuals, including banning transgender participation in female sports and military service.
- Revive a commission focused on promoting “patriotic” education in schools.
- Restrict travel and funding for over 13 health agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services, a halt to new contracts, grants, external communications and medical research reviews.
Building On Community Strengths
While the Kenneth Rainin Foundation does not have an explicit focus on the environment, democracy, immigration or LGBTQIA+, the communities we serve in Arts, Education and Health are directly impacted by these damaging policies. We know from our work that Bay Area artists thrive when they have the freedom and resources to express their full identities and our shared humanity. Oakland children across all demographics learn to read when they are in safe and supportive environments; their families free from discrimination and persecution. Biomedical researchers find cures for chronic diseases when their ideas are catalyzed by private and government funds. The many innovations and advancements achieved have relied on all of us—whether born in this country or not.
These orders and actions will disrupt lives and livelihoods and create a culture of fear and anticipatory obedience—where people start following rules or orders before they’re asked, because they expect it to happen. The Rainin Foundation will not change course; we will not operate from fear. We will continue to advance our mission, remaining true to our vision and values, and building on the strengths of the communities and people we serve.
The Rainin Foundation will not change course; we will not operate from fear.
Using Our Voice And Resources
To that end, we are dedicating an additional $4 million to mitigate the destructive impact of these executive orders. Our responses will support broad efforts to protect and defend human rights, understanding those rights are not tangential but essential to our philanthropic mission. Others will focus directly on our grantees and their efforts to defend against and resist harmful actions while continuing their important work. We will invest in the following:
- Democracy and Human Rights – Join funder networks and contribute to 501(c)(4) organizations that promote the general welfare of a community by engaging in public policy education and advocacy.
- Field Organizing and Communications – Put our grantees at the heart of our efforts, supporting organizing efforts to push back on damaging policies.
- Education, Advocacy and Training – Support our staff, grantees and partners to act through education, training and cross-sector learning.
- Grantee Technical Assistance – Ensure grantees have access to legal, security and communications expertise and skills.
- Direct Support – Award grants for additional needs identified by grantees, such as capacity and wellness.
More strategic opportunities will emerge under this framework in the coming months. Our Arts, Education and Health funding remains at its current level and will not decrease with this additional allocation. We encourage our grantees to reach out to their program staff and share how your organization, work and people are affected. We continue to be flexible and nimble, recognizing the rapidly changing and unpredictable situation.
We Are In This Together
On the day we should have been celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr., I also awoke to the news that Cecile Richards had passed. She was the former Planned Parenthood President, co-founder of Supermajority and an inexhaustible activist for reproductive justice and gender equality. Her family released a moving statement with a poignant call to action.
It’s not hard to imagine future generations one day asking, ‘When there was so much at stake for our country, what did you do?’ The only acceptable answer is, ‘Everything we could.’
Family of Cecile Richards
We are in this together and will keep striving toward a fair and just future for all.
