Tomorrow is Election Day and I do hope that if you have not already voted, you have a plan. Here is a link to voting information in every state in case you need it. In more ways than one, this presidential election will be one for the record books. More money has been thrown at this election ($14 billion!) than any that came before. Billions of dollars have been given not only to candidates, but also to issues that affect our democracy, like redistricting, voter enfranchisement, and registration. The spending zeal was even more urgent given the twin crises of the COVID-19 pandemic and racial protest. This is clearly the most consequential election season of our lifetimes. But now that Election Day has finally arrived, what’s next for the political donors who are newly committed to funding the causes that promote a fair and just society?
To achieve lasting impact in one’s philanthropy, we stress the importance of “working upstream” or funding systems change (the root cause of disagreeable/unhealthy outcomes) rather than direct relief—the band aid that staunches the bleeding of an acute problem. And yet, while there is no doubt that attacking society’s biggest problems at their source is an excellent and necessary strategy, this year, the funding of democracy-related issues has been very similar to the approach taken for natural disasters. Having been blind-sided by an unanticipated cataclysmic problem, an “all hands on deck” mentality is initially required to get it under control. Funds flow quickly and often haphazardly, but it is to be expected due to the gravity of the situation. And then finally, when the worst is over, we begin to assess the damage and see what will need to be rebuilt.
That is how money moved this year. On top of the fervor for the opportunity to elect new leaders, people from all socioeconomic backgrounds leaped into action to relieve as much acute pain as possible from COVID-19, the civil unrest after police shootings, and the weakening of democratic norms. While the problems are far from solved, we have arrived at the point where we can assess how we move forward and deal with the fallout from these disasters in the long term.
Here are a few ideas for donors who are still in the fight and plan on keeping the lessons of 2020 front and center in their philanthropy:
You heard it before, but it bears repeating again: plan to give unrestricted and multi-year gifts. If you’re an individual donor, this means you make a plan to fund an organization at the same amount for at least 3 years. You should also communicate your plan to the organization so that they can budget and make wise financial decisions based on anticipated income. Practically, if you fund from a donor advised fund, you can book gifts as “recurring.” Set it and forget it.
If you went all-in on candidates, referendums, and voter registration efforts, you can keep that momentum going the next four years regardless of who wins. If we learned nothing else these past couple of years, it’s that we get the government we deserve and it requires our sustained engagement to keep it healthy. You can shift from funding campaigns and the like towards supporting causes, such as an independent media that provides fair, fact-based, and impartial news to keep the electorate informed; or movement-building organizations that keep communities connected, educated, and aware of their civil rights. And don’t forget that there will be Congressional and local elections in 2022, which will be here before you know it. Now is the time to support new leaders and get educated on the local issues that will directly affect your day-to-day life. Maybe you’d consider running for office yourself.
And in just eight months, COVID-19 has killed more people than the flu did during the last five flu seasons combined. The fallout from COVID-19 will have generational ramifications. The biggest issues that were again put in stark relief were the lack of accessible healthcare and affordable housing and systemic racism. Donors can sustain their COVID relief efforts by advocating for fair housing policies, humane labor practices, and health equity. Many givers contributed to these areas for the first time by funding local relief efforts for schools, restaurant workers, mutual aid groups, and more. While we desperately needed a Band-Aid approach in March, these are systemic issues that will be with us at a heightened level of intensity for the foreseeable future and require our dedication and vigilance to eradicate.
And finally, COVID was just one national comeuppance we faced this year. The number of high-profile police killings marked a profound turning point for many. Money poured to Black organizations, businesses, and even individuals. It was almost as if a spontaneous mini-reparations movement sprung up from the ashes of our burned cities. The Black community has been under-resourced for generations, and it was heartening to see so many people finally seeing what had been ignored for so long. But how can this attention be sustained? There are a few ways. Donors can commit to dedicating a percentage of their annual giving budget to Black community organizations, they can support Black leaders by sharing their networks and offering mentorship, and lastly, donors can be conscious of where they spend their dollars by supporting Black-owned businesses.
While I never am comfortable predicting the future, I can say with full confidence that philanthropy after 2020 will never be the same. Our collective experiences this year have sparked a cultural shift that will see so many more of us tune in to and become aware of the importance of civic engagement for a healthy democracy. I hope you can find your place in a new and healthier ecosystem and make a difference for the long haul.