Savannah Barrett

But these analyses ignore the economic and cultural context that make Trump and his agenda appealing to so many. And it brushes aside the underexamined role that philanthropy and institutions played in creating the conditions for his ascent. Threats to democracy arose long before the New York billionaire descended his golden escalator and became a populist icon, and they won’t evaporate when he leaves power.

SHARE THIS STORY: March 5, 2026 | Read Time: 1 minute Are words like “build civic capacity” and “anti-displacement strategy” really the best way for nonprofits and grant makers to convey their hopeful messages? This short video examines how the sector became so addicted to jargon and why a return to plain language can create clarity and build trust. The Commons is financed in part with philanthropic support from the Arthur M.

As grantmakers, we distribute scarce resources, so I worry when panels cannot have an open, honest discussion about important issues like cultural appropriation and how that might result in how we mete out funds. If tokenism limits the ability of people of color to impact grant decisions, or panel dynamics shut down discussions about uncomfortable issues, we are not doing our jobs.