I was a teenager when the first Earth Days were organized in the early Seventies. Despite fierce worldwide struggles against war, violence, and oppression, environmentalism was animated by optimism. People spoke unironically about peace, love, and harmony as they promoted bicycling, recycling, vegetarianism, river clean-ups, and an end to nuclear testing and weapons. Their efforts catalyzed the global environmental movement and gave rise to changes in policy and practice that we still benefit from today.

Lately, the vibes haven’t been so hopeful and upbeat. Decades of work that biodiversity funders have heavily invested in are at risk. The administration may target BFG members because they are prominent supporters of environmental and climate justice or because they stand unapologetically behind their equity values. The normally cautious foundation community is slowly rising to the occasion, taking uncharacteristic public stances and issuing calls to action.

For instance, BFG and nearly 250 funders and philanthropy-serving organizations have endorsed this public statement:

Everyone—wherever we’re from or whatever our point of view—wants to live in a nation that upholds the fundamental rights and liberties we all deserve and need to thrive.

As charitable giving organizations – private and family foundations, community foundations, corporate foundations, and more – we contribute to communities in every corner of America. Together, we support new parents and elders, veterans and school children, hospitals and libraries, churches and food kitchens, artists and researchers throughout rural, suburban, and urban communities in every state and territory. Yet, at this moment, we face the threat of governmental attacks on our ability to carry out this vital mission when the communities, organizations, and individuals we support need it most.

We don’t all share the same beliefs or priorities. Neither do our donors or the communities we serve. However, as charitable giving institutions, we are united by our First Amendment right to offer as an expression of our own distinct values. Especially in this time of great need, we must have the freedom to direct our resources to a wide variety of essential services, issues, and places to improve lives today and build a stronger future for our country. The health and safety of the American people, our nation’s economic stability, and the vibrancy of our democracy depend on it.

Many leaders and field experts are not okay in the face of a blizzard of new programmatic, financial, legal, and personal challenges. If you haven’t already done so, please consider reaching out to your grantees and partners to see what help they might need. They need to know that their funders see them and have their backs.

This Earth Month, I’m not letting the political and corporate actions counter my core values and make me feel that I—or that we—have no power. We have knowledge, resources, influence, networks, and movements. Our missions are urgent and worth defending. This is the perfect time to collaborate with other funders across issue silos.

Sincerely,
Judy Hatcher
Executive Director