Philanthropy in Tumultous Times

This rainy spring I’m feeling a sense of renewal and hope that is magical, especially given the dark clouds on the federal horizon. To see our garden flowers come back up, honey locust tree and elderflower bushes leaf out, and my bees visiting all of the blossoms in our yard gives me more hope than I’ve had in months. It reminds me that even with the challenges our country faces and with family and friends dealing with personal crises, injuries, and illnesses, there is still hope. We are a unique species.

I usually know what to do in most situations I encounter. I’ve traveled and adventured extensively, being put in new and unusual situations all of the time . . . But on the question of the sweeping and titanic changes in the federal government and in our lives, I’m forced to ask: What should I do?

I write this question in order to force myself to answer it – even though it’s much easier to put it off or ignore it all together.

What is my role and what is my duty as a philanthropic leader to address the suffering and pain caused by a federal administration that appears to be set on undermining democracy, human lives, the environment, and decency in our country?

In my role as a nonprofit leader and in my role as a citizen of the United States I have an obligation to defend our liberties and rights and to call out injustices done by elected officials and administrations.

And so I am compelled to both speak out against many of the actions taken by the Trump administration and to mitigate, when possible, the pain inflicted on many of our lowest income citizens and most vulnerable communities. There has been no similar time in my life that such an assault on decency and democracy has existed, nor have I personally witnessed such destruction of American values and beliefs as has happened in the first five months of 2025.

Although I’m opposed to many of the policy changes happening right now, that is not my greatest frustration. Policy disagreements are fine to have and engage in and I respect that any administration will have different beliefs and priorities than I have, but there are two overriding concerns in addition to my deep disagreement with how our immigrants and low-income families are being threatened: This administration’s blatant disregard for the rule of law and the decisions made by the judiciary, and, the corruption the President is engaging in by selling access to the White House in an effort to enrich himself and his family.

Our country was built on the idea that differing opinions and beliefs could coexist – should coexist – because we were a country built on the understanding that policies and decisions made by the legislature or executive branches were subject to review and approval by the judicial branch. And, more importantly, the two branches were and are subject to the final decision(s) of the judiciary and those decisions would be accepted, enforced, and implemented by common agreement.

This is a cause of deep concern. When the Executive branch willingly ignores judicial decisions and orders it creates a constitutional crisis that threatens the very foundation of law and order in our country. It creates in the citizenry an anger and uncertainty that are potent and concerning. It moves our country away from democracy and towards autocracy. It threatens our very lives and existence.

And when the President enriches himself and his family through questionable financial deals involving digital currencies and gifts from foreign governments, and provides access to himself and his cabinet by those who support his private business interests, then he’s gone too far. Corruption eats at the core of individuals engaged in it and pushes them into extreme positions to both justify that corruption and to continue it. That does not serve our country well in any way.

My ability to do anything substantive to stop these two pernicious and dangerous behaviors is extremely limited. But my belief is that every individual must raise their own voice, even though we know this administration carries out personal and significant retribution against individuals and organizations. And fear of retribution is real and is not to be taken lightly. But the calling out and ultimately stopping the corrupt and autocratic individuals and governments must come and it comes from each of us individually and collectively.

And in my role as a foundation leader witnessing the damage done by denying food, health, and citizenship benefits to those who need them the most, I will continue to push back against this administration’s policy changes in every legal way I can, using all of my energy and hope.