Reflections on the state of Democracy for Funders and Grantees Alike

Over the past few weeks, I attended three distinct convenings on behalf of Cohesion Strategy, each event gathering to grapple with the complexities of democracy, pluralism, and partisan divides following our most recent election.  

Photos from Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement (PACE) LinkedIn

First, I was glad to partner with Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement (PACE) and the Peace and Security Funders Group to gather a diverse group of pro-democracy funders, including large national foundations to smaller, place-based organizations, for a candid conversation on Wednesday December 4.  

Second, our event was immediately followed by the PACE Post-Election convening, which emphasized a particularly valuable lens: democracy is larger than partisanship. In this program, over the course of 3 days, funders and grantee organizations discussed democracy by focusing on the broader civic ecosystem—addressing polarization not just as a political problem but as a challenge of belonging, trust, and shared purpose. I have immense respect for PACE’s work, and was not disappointed. 

Third I attended Inter-Movement Impact Project (IMIP) gathering on Monday December 9. IMIP is more of a community than an organization, and I’ve written about them before. They bring together a movement of many movements to bridge divides, block authoritarianism and political violence, and build a multi-racial, pluralistic democracy. The event convened many grantees and some funders across these movements.  

These three events offered unique perspectives—spanning funder-only spaces, grantee-heavy discussions, and broader conversations about civic engagement — and yet, several overlapping themes emerged. These themes underscore the opportunities at the intersections of peace, democracy, and social cohesion. 

1. The Need for Repair and Healing 

A recurring theme across all three events was the central need of repair and healing in addressing trauma. Whether rooted in the legacy of racial oppression in the United States, international wars, or ethnic conflicts, unresolved trauma undermines efforts to build cohesive communities. Conversations highlighted the necessity of creating processes for healing that go beyond surface-level reconciliation. In the U.S., this means reckoning with the stories we tell ourselves—stories that often perpetuate division more effectively than policy debates. Globally, it means learning from conflict resolution frameworks that prioritize truth-telling and reparation. Both funders and grantees have roles to play in this work, and experts like me are curious and dedicated to finding effective paths forward. 

2. Local vs. National/International Tensions 

The tension between local and larger-scale efforts was palpable in each space. While national and international strategies provide important frameworks, the most scalable and effective solutions often come from local problem-solving. For instance, some funders emphasized supporting grassroots initiatives that address specific community needs, while others sought to bridge local work with broader movements for democracy and justice. Navigating these tensions requires humility, a willingness to learn from those closest to the issues, and a commitment to supporting both hyper-local and systemic approaches. It was encouraging to see how these values played out across the various events!  

3. Breaking Silos and Building Connection 

Perhaps the most urgent takeaway was the need to break down silos. Whether in funder-only gatherings or grantee-heavy spaces, participants repeatedly called for collaboration across sectors, disciplines, and geographies. Conflict was framed as an opportunity—not just a challenge. When approached with intention, conflict allows us to surface deeper issues, explore off-ramps, and move toward innovative solutions. This is work I am especially passionate about. Through dynamic facilitation and thoughtful convenings, we can all help foster connections, giving space to diverse opinions and fostering authentic dialogue. 

4. Addressing Disinformation 

One of the most daunting challenges that emerged in some conversations over the last few weeks was the growing scale and complexity of disinformation. Funders and grantees alike expressed concern about the ineffectiveness of fact-checking and the rapid spread of false information, particularly in non-English-language channels on platforms like WhatsApp and Signal. This underscores the need for more creative and culturally informed strategies, as well as greater investment in research and technology to counter misinformation. Again, both funders and grantees have a role to play, and collaboration will be key.  

Photos from Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement (PACE) LinkedIn

If nothing else, the recent election results make it clear that our nation is divided. Yet, division doesn’t have to be a terminal condition. At the nexus of peace, democracy, and social cohesion lies the potential to transform conflict into collaboration. Philanthropy and civic organizations have an opportunity to rethink their strategies, align their efforts, and invest in approaches that foster authentic connection and sustainable democracy. 

It’s collective work—but it’s work we think worth doing. 

What themes or strategies resonate most with you at this moment? Let’s keep the conversation going.