Progressive Leaders Are Asking Funders For These 3 Things
“If no one else will help us protect democracy, we know that the people in this room will.”
Imagine a 2025 where Democrats control the Senate – with a majority that will throw out the filibuster – the House, and the White House. Imagine a 2025 with a progressive caucus that has not lost but expanded its diversity. This is a real possibility that our movement partners, progressive champions in Congress, and our ecosystem of donor networks are fighting for. To get there, we’ll need to crest the “siege” coming from the right.
Last week, WDN Action co-hosted a Protect the Squad briefing featuring the Working Families Party and a coalition of other donor networks and progressive organizations. We heard inspiring words from Congresswomen Pramila Jayapal and Summer Lee about the stakes of this moment and the need for bold vision and action. Organizers on the frontlines of the fight for our democracy are calling on funders to:
Understand the scale of the threats we are facing from the right. Elite interests and institutions are having an outsized influence on politicians and our democracy, silencing our movement partners and attempting to oust progressive champions with an unprecedented amount of money. Leaders who have stood for every progressive issue – from the Green New Deal to abortion access to the call for a ceasefire – are being targeted.
Reach for a bold vision of the future. In step with our grantees, courageous elected leaders, and our partners in the ecosystem, we know that our movements can win. They are being targeted not because they have failed, but because they are succeeding. The progressive movement is the majority and if we invest now, we can build the future we all deserve.
Invest early, and invest big. Our partners on the ground are activating to confront the backlash from the right; they need early resources in order to fully implement their plans and to protect the progress we’ve all fought so hard for. Understand why it’s critical to invest early.
2024 is a big year for the world, for our country, and for our network. At WDN Action we are committed to doing everything we can to meet this moment. Members of our network can stay up to date with other events and opportunities to plug into this election year through our member portal and regular newsletters.
Don’t miss our next opportunity to dive into today’s political context, including the challenges progressives face and the avenues we have to make a difference. Join our briefing on February 22, 11-12 pm PT / 2-3 pm ET: Battleground Ready: Why North Carolina Is Poised To Win in 2024, co-hosted with our partners at Way to Win. North Carolina is a pivotal keystone in the fight for our democracy. At the briefing, you’ll hear from key partners on the ground who are in formation and ready to deploy winning narrative and field strategies in the state this cycle.
WDN Action fuels the movements that are fighting to protect and advance gender, racial, economic, and climate justice.
