An Anti-Authoritarian Playbook for Donors
The Democracy Fund’s Joe Goldman offers a three-part framework for donors who are concerned that America is backsliding into authoritarianism.
October 3, 2025 | Read Time: 1 minute
President of the Democracy Fund Joe Goldman offers both urgency and clarity for donors concerned about America’s democratic backslide into authoritarianism in this conversation. As the second Trump administration consolidates power, Goldman offers a practical three-part framework for strategic, democracy-focused giving: strengthening guardrails, powering breakthrough strategies, and working toward reconstruction.
In a conversation that grapples with difficult questions about donor fear and the paralyzing sense of overwhelm that many feel when considering the breadth of threats to democracy right now, Goldman shares specific examples of organizations doing critical work, and an array of ways that donors can get involved. His message is clear: “Courage breeds more courage. Solidarity breeds more solidarity.”
We appreciate the opportunity to share this podcast and want to note that the interview was conducted by Buchanan and Nicolette with no involvement from the Chronicle’s newsroom.
