Philanthropy New York Signs Joint PSO Statement from the United Philanthropy Forum - A Commitment to Building a National Community
Philanthropy New York joins the United Philanthropy Forum and colleague organziations across the country to urge philanthropic leaders and institutions to use their moral, civic, and social capital to voice strong and vigorous support for preserving and strengthening our democratic institutions.
A Commitment to Building a National Community
The cornerstone of our country’s democracy is the administration of free and fair elections, where every U.S. citizen of voting age has the right to vote. During this election cycle, Americans have come out to exercise this right in record numbers. Despite being in the middle of a global pandemic, nearly 150 million Americans have voted in this election—more than any election in the history of this country. Voters’ collective action to make their votes count and have their voices heard, and the resulting peaceful transfer of power that will now take place, serve as a powerful indicator that our nation’s democracy remains intact.
But much work remains to address the serious threats to our democracy that have been exposed during this election season, and philanthropy has an important role to play. United Philanthropy Forum urges philanthropic leaders and institutions to use all of your moral, civic, and social capital to voice your strong and vigorous support for preserving and strengthening our democratic institutions. We also urge you to use your financial capital to invest in organizations that are working year-round to improve the key pillars of our democracy, including free and fair elections and systems of representation, an informed and active electorate, and laws to adequately protect all voters’ rights.
As we head into 2021 and the seating of a new administration and a new Congress, the Forum continues to envision a courageous philanthropic sector that catalyzes a just and equitable society where all can participate and prosper. We stand ready to work with the Biden-Harris administration and members of Congress by advocating for legislation and regulations that address inequities across the country, recognize systemic racism, and seek to rectify social injustices. We will also continue to work to strengthen our democracy by supporting a participatory civil society with fair representation for all.
In her keynote address at the 1976 Democratic National Convention at Madison Square Garden in New York City, the Honorable Barbara Jordan (D-TX) spoke about the concept of building a national community:
“We are a people in a quandary about the present. We are a people in search of our future. We are a people in search of a national community. We are a people trying not only to solve the problems of the present… but we are attempting on a larger scale to fulfill the promise of America. We are attempting to fulfill our national purpose, to create and sustain a society in which all of us are equal.”
With the election now behind us, the Forum understands that much uncertainty remains: a global pandemic, a nonprofit sector in need of significant financial relief, and ongoing divisions that plague our country. Through all of this, the Forum and our members remain UNITED in our pursuit of that national community, equality for all, and the common good.