Hiding in Plain Sight: Are foundation website changes masking their values, or pulling off their masks?
CONTACT(S): Russell Roybal rroybal@ncrp.org
Jennifer Amuzie jamuzie@ncrp.org
WASHINGTON, DC – With rising threats of Congressional scrutiny of the groups that support marginalized communities, NCRP’s researchers analyzed the stances of 773 of the F1000 foundations with active websites and compared each live webpage’s content with an archived version from between March 1 and November 4, 2024.
SYSTEMIC SILENCE
Seventy-three percent of funders were silent. These foundations, together responsible for 60 percent of the $25 billion in annual giving, did not publicly address any changes to nonprofit ecosystem at all.
One in twelve foundations seem to have censored themselves, having made changes to their websites since the 2024 election that removes language related to concepts of of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the social sector. “These foundations gave twice as much as the rest of the F1000 and are responsible for nearly $1 in $4 of every dollar given for marginalized communities,” said Ryan Schlegel, NCRP research director. “These foundations may have good intentions, but self-censorship on this scale snowballs into a lot of harm.”
GLIMMERS OF DEFIANCE
Eight percent of the remaining 230 funders expressed concern but in cautious language. These funders did not speak to how we got here or how they might help get us out, effectively ceding their power. Another 8 percent are more defiant in their language.
Eleven percent of funders, responsible for an outsized 17 percent of all funding, are not only willing to speak out, but they are speaking about action they will take. Russell Roybal, Executive Vice President and Chief Impact Officer, celebrated this discovery. “Philanthropy should aspire to this sort of bold leadership. Freedom doesn’t come from playing it safe.“
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.
