The recent election results mark the beginning of a new chapter — one that demands resolve and urgent action from community-based organizations, like the one I lead, that are serving those targeted by and increasingly vulnerable in this new administration: marginalized communities, particularly immigrants, women, BIPOC individuals, queer and trans communities and survivors of violence. These populations will soon face intensified challenges under an administration likely to wield unchecked power with swift, often reckless consequences. The trauma will be real and it will be widespread.
For big philanthropy — defined as the large-scale giving by ultra-wealthy individuals, families and institutional funders wielding significant financial resources and influence — this moment calls for true partnership with community-based organizations to fuel our efforts to safeguard and uplift these communities. There is no playbook for what lies ahead. Yet, if recent history has taught us anything, it’s that philanthropy has the unique capacity to act with extraordinary urgency, energy and flexibility when other sectors cannot. We saw this during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the sector mobilized resources at an unprecedented scale to address immediate needs. Today, we ask for that same level of philanthropic leadership to confront the escalating threats to our communities.
At Sakhi for South Asian Survivors, we are bracing for attacks on reproductive rights, immigrant rights, heightened xenophobia, increased surveillance of Muslim communities and the erosion of protections for queer and trans individuals. For the community we serve at Sakhi, the stakes are life and death. Big philanthropy must now decide: Will it respond to this moment and follow through on its mission with the urgency it demands, or will it falter under the weight of fatigue?
A blueprint for action
To meet this moment, philanthropy must prioritize three key areas: resourcing grassroots organizations, amplifying community voices and adapting funding strategies. Here’s how:
1. Provide general operating support with multi-year commitments
Flexible, multi-year funding allows community-based organizations like Sakhi to plan for the long term while navigating immediate crises. Many of us are preparing resiliency plans to address potential funding cuts at the federal, state and city levels. General operating support enables us to respond to the unexpected, scale up essential programs and sustain our work even as the landscape shifts.
2. Amplify community voices
Philanthropy wields significant power in shaping narratives and influencing public discourse. Now is the time to leverage that power to elevate the voices of grassroots organizations and the communities we serve.
- Media amplification: Use philanthropic connections to media outlets to place op-eds, feature stories and interviews that highlight the work of community organizations. At Sakhi, we see firsthand the impact of xenophobia, gender-based violence and systemic inequities. Sharing these stories with a broader audience can humanize the issues and galvanize public support.
- Platform sharing: Invite community leaders to speak at philanthropic convenings, panels and public events. These spaces often lack representation from grassroots movements, yet they shape funding priorities and policy decisions. By creating space for our voices, philanthropy can ensure that decisions are informed by those closest to the issues.
- Bridge to policymakers: Funders can play a crucial role in connecting community-based organizations with policymakers. This can include facilitating introductions, hosting briefings and advocating for policy changes informed by grassroots expertise.
3. Re-examine pre-existing funding strategies
Long-term strategies are essential to philanthropic work, but they must be flexible enough to respond to moments of crisis. Many organizations, including Sakhi, are grappling with challenges we couldn’t have predicted even a year ago. Philanthropy must be willing to:
- Reallocate resources: Shift funding toward organizations and initiatives addressing the most urgent needs of the moment. This may require revisiting funding priorities or reallocating discretionary funds.
- Fund innovation: Support pilot programs, experiments and new approaches that respond to emerging challenges. For example, Sakhi is expanding its helpline to provide 24/7 support — a critical step to meet the growing needs of our community. This kind of innovation requires flexible funding that allows for risk-taking and adaptation.
- Collaborate with grantees: Engage in open dialogue with grantees to understand their evolving needs and challenges. Use this feedback to inform funding decisions and ensure resources are allocated where they are most needed.
4. Act before crisis strikes
Too often, philanthropy reacts to crises only after they have escalated into social uprisings or widespread harm. While reactive funding is valuable, proactive investment is transformative. Here’s what proactive philanthropy can look like:
- Resourcing readiness: Fund organizations to build internal capacity, including staff training, infrastructure improvements and contingency planning. These investments ensure that organizations can respond quickly and effectively when crises arise.
- Investing in coalition-building: Support networks and coalitions of grassroots organizations to facilitate collaboration and a united, coordinated response to threats.
- Strengthening local ecosystems: Invest in hyperlocal organizations that deeply understand the needs of their communities. These organizations are often best positioned to identify emerging issues and craft tailored solutions.
Rejecting fatigue
We recognize that the past few years have been exhausting. The first Trump administration, the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing social and political upheavals have taken a toll on all of us. But for the communities we serve, fatigue is not an option. Every day, we bear witness to the resilience of survivors, the courage of immigrants and the power of collective action. Their determination inspires us to keep going, even when the path ahead is daunting.
Big philanthropy must reject fatigue and recommit to justice with renewed energy and urgency. This is not a moment to pause or wait for the next crisis to unfold. This is a moment to act decisively, to invest deeply, and to imagine boldly.
A vision for the future
Philanthropy has the power to transform this moment of crisis into a moment of possibility. By resourcing grassroots organizations, amplifying community voices, and evolving funding strategies, big philanthropy can contribute to a future where justice prevails and marginalized communities are protected from oppressive policies.
At Sakhi, we are ready to do the work. We are expanding our programs, deepening our connections with the community and preparing for the challenges ahead. But we cannot do this alone. We need philanthropy to stand with us — not as saviors, but as partners in this fight for liberation.
The time to act is now. Let us not wait for history to ask what we did — or didn’t do — when it mattered most. Instead, let us rise to this occasion together, with courage, conviction and an unyielding commitment to justice.
Kavita Mehra is a feminist and survivor of violence. She currently serves as the executive director of Sakhi for South Asian Survivors and is a cofounder and board member of South Asian SOAR. A proud New Jersey native, Mehra resides in Jersey City with her life partner and son.
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