Pro-democracy funders' goal is to strengthen communities—but are they leaving some of their most effective partners out of the equation?
A new piece I coauthored with Diana Aviv is out in the Chronicle of Philanthropy, where we explore a challenge I’ve seen again and again in the philanthropic space: why many funders avoid working with faith-inspired organizations—and why that needs to change in this moment of urgency.
This isn’t a new argument. Faith-inspired organizations have long been at the forefront of social services, humanitarian aid, and community resilience—yet many funders still hesitate to engage with them, sometimes out of concerns about ideological alignment or neutrality. I’ve written about this issue before, including in What If They Preach? A Guide for Funding Faith-Inspired Grantees, which provides practical guidance for funders navigating these partnerships.
Now, pro-democracy groups rooted in religious identity and community are still struggling for funding. These organizations may be the best suited to reach and partner positively with communities that have been targeted by anti-democratic forces. In our Chronicle of Philanthropy article, Diana and I lay out why and how pro-democracy funders can move past these barriers and recognize the essential role that faith-inspired organizations play in strengthening civil society.
If your organization is looking for ways to better engage across ideological and religious differences, or if you're interested in integrating pluralism into your funding strategy, we'd love to connect.
At Cohesion Strategy, we help organizations navigate these challenges and build partnerships that expand impact.
Let’s work together to create a more inclusive and effective philanthropic sector. Reach out to learn more about how we can support your work.
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