Contact: Russell Roybal | rroybal@ncrp.org
Jennifer Amuzie | jamuzie@ncrp.org
NCRP’s Newest Publication Gives Funders Tools To Combat Authoritarianism
The Summer 2025 Issue of Responsive Philanthropy highlights the stories and data that funders must use to address authoritarianism
WASHINGTON, DC – On the heels of rising political violence, an increasingly authoritarian executive, and weakening institutions, the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) published the Summer 2025 issue of the Responsive Philanthropy journal, Supporting Data and Stories that Fight Authoritarianism. This issue gives important context and guidance, offers examples of people-led resistance that have worked, and highlights the crucial role that narrative and research play in fighting fascism, so that grantmakers can meet this moment with the effectiveness that it deserves.
This means that progressive funders must invest in narrative change work, democracy and community-building funders must also fund c4 and overt political activities, and all funders across the philanthropic sector must recognize that the work of beating back authoritarianism is an ongoing exercise. “Nonprofit organizations who are being threatened are not shrinking back, because they recognize the threat to democracy and civil society is even greater,” says NCRP president and CEO Aaron Dorfman. “Philanthropy must be just as bold. Now is not the time to be meek.”
This issue of Responsive Philanthropy features essays from organizers, researchers, funders and movement leaders, all with powerful perspectives on how to buck the trend of rising fascism, and features cover art from New York-based visual artist Pyaari Azaadi.
INSIDE THE ISSUE
The following articles and all past issues of Responsive Philanthropy are available on NCRP’s website, ncrp.org:
Seeing the Whole Battlefield: Why Philanthropy Must Fund Data and Story Like Democracy Depends on It
Race Forward Executive Vice President and NCRP Board Member Eric Ward taps into his experience as a longtime civil rights strategist to assert “One of the first targets of any authoritarian movement isn’t the vote – it’s the voice.” He urges philanthropy to stop working in silos and putting our individual fires and instead look to address the arsonist – regressive funding networks supporting narrative.
Nothing Siloed Can Save Us and Nonpartisan Non-profits Alone Aren’t the Solution
Ludovic Blain challenges funders to protect vulnerable communities, including investing in electoral work. His success stories from California Donor Table are a lesson that coordinated funding leads to real wins for equity and justice.
Data and Democracy in America
NCRP’s Research Director Ryan Schlegel reminds us that today’s rise in authoritarianism is the result of long-term, strategic investment in anti-democratic civil society, and further, that American history is full well-funded anti-democratic civic groups. The only way to beat back the worst American instincts is a long-term, strategic investment in democracy.
Act Now Before It’s Too Late
ActionAid International’s Secretary General Arthur Larok and ActionAid USA’s Executive Director Niranjali Amerasinghe bring a global perspective: Americans are not alone in their fight against authoritarian power and have much to learn from communities of resistance around the world. They share an urgent message, “When an organization comes to you with a plan for supporting a vulnerable community, fighting the latest executive power grab, or engaging more people in the movement, fund it! Even if it doesn’t fit squarely in the 5-year strategy, fund it anyway! That strategy will likely be meaningless in 5 years if you don’t.”
Building the Democratic World We Want Through Anti-Authoritarian Storytelling
22nd Century Initiative’s co-founder and director Scot Nakagawa writes, “We must recognize that counter-authoritarian storytelling isn’t just about better messaging, it’s about building the Democratic world we want through the very practice of telling stories together.”
ABOUT NCRP
The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) has served as philanthropy’s critical friend and independent watchdog since 1976. For nearly 50 years, NCRP’s storytelling, advocacy, and research efforts have fostered transparency and accountability within the sector, and helped funders fulfill their moral and practical duty to build, share, and wield power to serve the public.
