Joe Goldman: Democracy Needs Philanthropy and Vice Versa

Sep 19

Joe Goldman: Democracy Needs Philanthropy and Vice Versa

Since recording this episode with Joe in the Spring a lot has happened.

The always-salient issues of how to protect and grow democracy have added urgency in the current climate, and philanthropy’s involvement is more needed than ever. Here’s an excerpt from his op-ed on political violence in The Chronicle of Philanthropy:

“To preserve the nation’s democracy, [philanthropic] support can’t only happen during election cycles — it must continue for the long term regardless of who wins the White House, Congress, and local elections in November. Political violence is not just a problem of the moment, but a problem of the era.”

Have a listen and you’ll hear how play is a vital protective tool needed now more than ever.

Listen in as Kristine and Joe discuss:

If you’re not protecting it, you can “lose your democracy” very quickly.
Philanthropists should stop avoiding politics. They should center it!
An ambitious effort to get funds to voting rights groups early in the cycle – don’t wait til November!
Ice cream, pinatas, and chili cook-offs are great counterweights to the serious work of saving democracy.

Key Takeaways:

We’re not trying to get back to a better era, a time when we were “getting this right.”
We need passion and ambition, not nostalgia, to build the democracy we want.
Elections are not spectator sports - they only work because we, as a society, get involved with our dollars, our time, and our votes.
Do not underestimate the power and importance of keeping your staff connected. Whether they’re remote or down the hall, your team needs to see its leaders and each other often – and for both play and work!

"A healthy democracy is what makes all the other things that philanthropy cares about possible. If you care about education, if you care about the environment, if you care about health care - none of those things work if our political system doesn't work." — Joe Goldman

More about Joe Goldman:

Joe Goldman is the President of Democracy Fund, an independent, nonpartisan foundation that seeks to create an inclusive multiracial democracy where people are treated fairly, feel they belong, and have a voice. As the foundation’s president, Joe is an outspoken advocate within philanthropy for creating a more effective and powerful field to ensure that our democracy is open, just, resilient, and trustworthy.

Joe incubated Democracy Fund for three years inside Omidyar Network — Pierre and Pam Omidyar’s philanthropic investment firm — where he was an Investment Director. He then launched Democracy Fund as a private foundation in 2014, alongside Democracy Fund Voice, a sister 501c4 organization for which he also serves as president. Since its inception, Democracy Fund and Democracy Fund Voice have committed more than $425 million to support organizations that are working to create a more vibrant and diverse public square, free and fair elections, effective and accountable government, and a just and inclusive society.

Joe has played a key role in creating and leading several bodies aimed at strengthening and growing the field, including chairing or co-chairing the Trusted Elections Fund, the Partnership for Safe Voting, the Voter Engagement Fund, and the Safe Voting Fund. He also chaired the Democracy Fund Voter Study Group for which he co-authored a series of reports on public attitudes about democracy and authoritarianism.

Previously, Joe was Vice President of Citizen Engagement at AmericaSpeaks, where he directed and facilitated large-scale public deliberations across the country, including the Unified New Orleans Planning Process after Hurricane Katrina and the redevelopment of the World Trade Center site after 9/11. Joe has also led citizen engagement programs from inside government, including Mayor Anthony Williams’ Neighborhood Action initiative in Washington, D.C., and the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission’s Common Ground regional planning process in Chicago.

Joe was a Public Service Fellow at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, where he received a master’s degree in public policy. He graduated with honors in political science from Vassar College.

Connect with Joe:
Website: democracyfund.org

Website: democracyfundvoice.org

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joepgoldman

Connect with Kristine:

Website: impactfullinc.com

Instagram: instagram.com/impactfull_inc

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kristine-breese-michie