An Overlooked Chance at Impact

Welcome to the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s weekly newsletter highlighting stories and conversations from The Commons, our project exploring how philanthropy and nonprofits are working to close divides, repair the social fabric, and strengthen communities.

From senior editor Drew Lindsay: Coalitions that aim to counter what they see as President Trump’s authoritarianism are overlooking key potential allies: Trump voters.

That’s the argument of Diana Aviv and Allison K. Ralph, Ph.D. writing in The Commons this week. They make the case that millions of Americans who backed the president in November liked his views on the economy, immigration, and other issues, but are worried by the concentration of power in the White House.

Funders and nonprofits could rally those who are wary, Aviv and Ralph argue — if they work with the conservative faith-based groups that they often reflexively reject as partners. And to do that, they will have to put aside some misconceptions, climb out of ideological silos, and decide that the fight to save democracy requires the biggest tent possible. Aviv and Ralph write:

"If funders rule out working with religious conservatives on strengthening democracy, they are going to miss a vital opportunity for profound impact."

Aviv and Ralph base their essay on years of experience working across religious and ideological lines of difference and with very conservative communities of faith. Take a look at their essay. This is our second piece in a two-part series on the role of faith in bridging America’s divides. Last week, we profiled two Chicago-area churches trying to build community across differences in race, class, and faith.?

Upcoming Events: a GOP Pollster on America’s Divides

I’ve been intrigued by the data-driven argument of GOP pollster and CNN contributor Kristen Soltis Anderson that post-election America presents an opportunity to reverse the decades-long erosion of trust in institutions, including nonprofits and grant makers. I invite you to join me for a conversation about Anderson’s findings on Thursday, February 20, at 12:30 p.m. ET, when she visits The Commons in Conversation. We’ll also talk about her? surveys that suggest philanthropy has an important role in closing America’s divides.

? The event is free with registration. ?

Of the Moment

News and other noteworthy items:

• Joining the Political Orphanage podcast with comedian and political commentator Andrew Heaton , philanthropists Laura and John Arnold talk about their efforts to build bipartisan coalitions to back evidence-based policy solutions. Laura Arnold said they approach each potential philanthropic venture with this question: “Is the problem such that we can create a bipartisan consensus and collaboration around a law that we could pass to make this circumstance better?” Find the podcast on Spotify, Apple, or other platforms.
• Sam Daley-Harris , author of Reclaiming Our Democracy: Every Citizen's Guide to Transformational Advocacy and founder of RESULTS and RESULTS Educational Fund , spoke with NPR’s “Here & Now” about the power of genuine grassroots advocacy in politics but also to strengthen democracy.
• In New York Magazine, Allison P. Davis reports with skepticism on a rash of start-ups — including nonprofits — offering solutions to the loneliness epidemic, including apps, conversation-skills training, and collective dance. “There are two existential threats we’ll experience in our lifetime,” one entrepreneur tells Davis. “One is the climate crisis; the other is loneliness.”