Proteus Fund

"At a time when narratives of isolation are being used to instill fear—justifying power concentration and the erosion of rights—we need stories that restore our awareness that, far from being a burden, our connection to others is the key to greater well-being and a stronger democracy." ?? Check out this thought-provoking piece from Mónica Roa López, founder of Puentes, a fiscally sponsored project of Proteus Fund, on interconnection as an antidote to #authoritarianism. Puentes' narrative change work is helping to connect social movements in Latin America with other regions around the world.

In a new opinion piece in Nonprofit Quarterly, RTF Director Rana Elmir asks a critical question: "As Immigrant Communities Face Intense Pressure, Is Philanthropy Ready?" In the piece, she details how recent executive orders are laying the groundwork for deportations and another travel ban. She also shares how movement groups are pushing back against these attacks and offers steps for how foundations can support their efforts. Read it here ?? https://lnkd.in/eeP4ThMG #executiveorders #travelban #philanthropy

Proteus Fund’s RISE Together Fund is growing! We’re hiring for a Capacity Building Officer— a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of Black, African, Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim and South Asian movement organizations who is interested in building their capacity and operational resilience. This is a new and exciting position at a time of great need. Salary and benefits are included in this detailed job description.

Through fiscal sponsorship, Proteus Fund supports emerging innovative initiatives that are doing exciting work to advance racial, gender, queer, and disability justice and inclusive democracy. Check out a few fiscally sponsored project highlights and visit their pages for more information! ??? On February 27, Disability & Philanthropy Forum will host a virtual discussion with Black disabled leaders on how philanthropy can support the critical racial and disability justice work forged by Black disabled communities amidst ongoing attacks and rollbacks.? ?? On February 25, the Prevention Collaborative is hosting a Q&A on Bluesky about its latest evidence review on “Improving the #MentalHealth of Parents and Caregivers as a Strategy to Prevent Family Violence.” ??? EmbraceRace has launched a campaign to raise $100,000 to support Embrace Color-Bravery in 2025. These funds will power resources, community, and field-building to help caregivers and educators raise thoughtful, brave children.

In a recent blog post, RFDC Program Officer Rev. Kenyetta Chinwe wrote about the role that faith and religion has played in her life. She also shared her experience with the weaponization of faith and why now more than ever, as the threat of White Christian nationalism intensifies, it is vital that progressive faith communities are resourced to counter the attack on our democracy. Read the blog post: https://lnkd.in/grpyTm_G

As Missouri’s LGBTQ+ public policy and advocacy organization,?PROMO Missouri?works to confront systemic inequities that harm LGBTQ+ communities. In recent years, the state has passed a number of discriminatory laws, including ones banning gender-affirming care and prohibiting transgender athletes from competing. The Rights, Faith & Democracy Collaborative (RFDC) offered PROMO and other grantees scenario planning support in the fall to help them be as prepared as possible for any potential outcome of the election. Hear Katy Erker-Lynch, PROMO's executive direction, talk about why the scenario planning process was a difficult, but ultimately valuable experience for her team. Learn more about PROMO's work ?? https://lnkd.in/ebP25NxJ

ICYMI: Check out this comprehensive study from Trust, Accountability and Inclusion Collaborative, a fiscally sponsored initiative of Proteus Fund, focused on Global South Intermediary Organizations (GSIs). This study examines the important role GSIs can play in bridging the gap between international #funders and local implementers to advance localization efforts and achieve equitable governance outcomes.???

This month marks the 15th anniversary of?Citizens United v. FEC, a decision that reshaped our democracy by amplifying the voices of billionaires at the expense of everyday people. ?? Last election, 18% of all funds raised in the presidential race came from billionaires. ??? Now at least 20 billionaires are holding powerful positions in government in the Trump administration. ? The consequences are clear: political power has been concentrated in the hands of a wealthy few, leaving millions of Americans struggling to have their voices heard. But this is not the future we have to accept. Together, we can fight for a democracy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy elite. ? Piper Fund's Money in Politics program supports community-based organizations that are advancing reform efforts to limit the influence of money in politics and build community power. The work of protecting democracy belongs to all of us, learn more here ?? ?https://lnkd.in/eSAwthrP

Last week, the Solidarity Collaborative, Proteus Fund’s newest donor collaborative, held its first convening in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The gathering, which included donors and cohort participants, was a valuable opportunity to build and deepen relationships, identify and articulate key challenges in building cross-movement #solidarity, and develop a shared understanding of the transformative potential of the Solidarity Collaborative. The Solidarity Collaborative was launched earlier this year to promote and support the impactful work of solidarity between and among #racialjustice leaders and organizations. Particularly in light of the current reality, the powerful connections formed and strengthened through this convening will be foundationally important to the vital work ahead in 2025 and beyond!

The Sikh Coalition was founded as a volunteer organization on the heels of 9/11, as the #Sikh community experienced hate, violence, and discrimination, alongside Muslim communities. Today, it is the largest Sikh #civilrights organization in the United States with roughly 25 staff members in 15 states, organizing the Sikh community to fight back against hate crimes, workplace discrimination, and school bullying. Harman Singh, the Sikh Coalition's executive director, talks about one of the organization's major initiatives in 2024 and the vital support RISE Together Fund (RTF) provides.