Investing in the Long Arc of Justice: Post-Election Convening

As we begin to look beyond the November 2024 election, one thing is clear: regardless of which administration takes office next year, the work towards justice is not over. Community-based organizations and movement leaders will continue to organize and advocate on behalf of marginalized communities for policies and systems that will advance equity and justice. Philanthropy has a role to play in ensuring movements are fully resourced and prepared for the long-term fight for justice. Steve Phillips, best-selling author and national political leader, will join Marc Philpart, Executive Director of the California Black Freedom Fund in conversation to reflect on this political moment and share his vision for a multiracial democratic future, and what’s needed from philanthropy in this moment and beyond.

Attendees will:
• Preview the national political landscape for the next four years
• Understand philanthropy’s role in supporting long-term movement building
• Leave inspired by a vision for an equitable, just, and democratic future

While final election results will not be certified in California until mid-December, there is a lot we will know at this time. Preliminary results on various ballot initiatives, Congressional races, and local races will trickle in in the days and weeks following the election. Movement leaders on the ground, who have been organizing voters for months, will share lessons from the field, early wins, and what comes next for California organizers.

Attendees will:
• Hear organizers’ analysis of preliminary state and local election results and lessons
learned from running integrated voter engagement campaigns
• Learn movement leaders’ post-election priorities and needs and how philanthropy can
support the long-term work in the region

Major urban hubs like the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles receive significant statewide and even national attention and resources, and thus have sophisticated and extensive organizing infrastructure. However, rural and suburban areas of California, places like the Central Valley and the inland Bay Area, often get left behind in philanthropy conversations. These regions also face very real challenges around housing and economic security that will require local communities and organizers to leverage political power to change. What do the next 5 to10 years of organizing in these regions look like? How can philanthropy support organizations outside of urban hubs to build power?

Attendees will:
• Understand the complex politics of organizing outside of progressive urban cities
• Learn about the unique opportunities and challenges facing power-building
organizations in rural and suburban California
• Explore philanthropy’s role in mobilizing resources to these region

Philanthropy plays a critical role in funding social movements on all sides of the political spectrum. Over the last few decades, conservative philanthropic donors and institutions have implemented a clear, long-term investment strategy enabling the emergence and momentum of rightwing policies and politics that we’re seeing across the country today, including here in Northern California and other parts of the state.

What highlights and lessons can we glean from the 2024 election cycle, foundations’ funding strategies, and grantee partners insights? What are some of the opportunities and threats our field and movement partners are facing across the region? How can progressive foundations better align with movement partners and each other around a common vision, priorities and strategies to maximize resources for the movement ecosystem and increase impact? What does it mean to fund year-round advocacy, organizing, and power building work, especially in the face of increasing authoritarianism?

This is an in interactive session that will include self-reflection, large, and small group discussions. We ask participants to come with a willingness to engage and share how you and your institution are grappling with these questions, and how you are thinking about and planning for 2025 and beyond.

Attendees will:
- Have the opportunity to reflect on key takeaways, lingering questions and the application of learnings from throughout the day.
- Engage in a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) exercise to start building a shared understanding and assessment with colleagues in philanthropy of the current moment.
- Think about and identify ways to take action now and in the future.