Why Philanthropy Must Push Back

Years ago, I sat in a boardroom where leaders of a major nonprofit were debating whether to take a public stand on an issue that directly impacted the very community they served. Some feared backlash from donors. Others worried about political consequences.

I’ll never forget what one staff member said: “If we don’t speak now, then what are we even here for?”

That moment has stayed with me throughout my career. It’s why I believe so strongly that nonprofits and philanthropies cannot afford to be silent when values are under attack.

This week, the New York Times published an article about the Trump administration’s mounting attacks on liberal philanthropies. The piece describes foundations being accused of partisanship simply for funding racial justice, democracy protection, climate resilience, and other essential causes.

Let me be clear: I stand firmly with those organizations. Not only should they push back against this administration’s attempts to undermine their work - they are obligated to.

The Myth of “Neutrality”

There’s a dangerous myth that philanthropy should be “neutral”. That to fund equity, voting rights, or human dignity is to somehow cross a partisan line. But neutrality has never been real.

Silence, in the face of injustice, is not neutrality. It is complicity.

As someone who has spent nearly two decades in this sector, I’ve seen organizations wrestle with whether to speak up. Some worry about alienating donors. Others about jeopardizing funding. Yet time and again, I’ve watched the same truth unfold: when organizations live their values out loud, donors rally. Communities rally. Trust deepens.

Pushback is a Responsibility

We’re in a fragile trust moment. Giving has dipped below 2% of GDP. Public confidence in nonprofits has slipped. The largest foundations are under intense scrutiny. But trust is not preserved through silence - it is earned through courage.

If the Trump administration wants to attack philanthropy for standing with marginalized communities, let them. That criticism is not a liability; it’s a badge of honor.

Because philanthropy was never meant to be safe. It was meant to be transformative. And transformation always sparks resistance.

Where We Go From Here

This is the crossroads the sector finds itself in: will we shrink back to protect endowments and reputations, or will we lean forward to protect people?

For me, the answer is clear. Philanthropy must push back. It must embrace transparency, partnership, resilience, and humility. But most of all, it must embrace courage.

Because at its core, philanthropy is not about neutrality. It is about justice. And justice is always worth the fight.