Harassment of U.S. funders and their grantees is increasing and is likely to be an ongoing problem as authoritarians erode America’s democratic norms. Harassment comes in many forms, including physical, cyber, legal, and political threats, and it affects a range of organizations and leaders, from social conservatives to progressives. The common thread is that it makes it harder for grantees and their funders to be effective, as it closes the civic space that is vital to any functioning democracy. Harassment drains resources, stops institutions from advancing their missions, and sends a chilling signal to others.

Fortunately, funders are in a position to make a difference on this urgent issue for the field. Please join the Democracy Funders Network and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation for a briefing with leading experts, including Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Senior Fellow Rachel Kleinfeld and philanthropic strategist Peter Teague, on the nature of the problem and potential solutions to keep funders and grantees safe and effective, keep the public space open, and de-escalate tensions that lead to violence. This program is relevant for funders in the democracy space as well as a range of other areas such as climate change, education, women’s rights, and LGBTQ+ rights.

Register here.