The Stakes Have Never Been Higher

As we step into this new era of federal leadership, we must confront an undeniable truth: The values of equity and opportunity that we have fought so hard to advance are under attack. From rollbacks on reproductive rights to threats against LGBTQIA+ protections, from assaults on climate policy to policies that endanger immigrant communities, the progress we have made is at risk.

In moments like these, history has taught us two things. First, progress is never guaranteed  —  it is always contested. Second, when communities come together with a shared commitment to justice, we can push back against forces that seek to divide and dismantle.

What’s at Stake

The current political landscape is reshaping the rights and protections that many Americans rely on.  We are witnessing:

• The erosion of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives under the guise of “anti-woke” policies, silencing conversations on racial and social justice.
• The weakening of our social safety net with federal cuts to food, healthcare and other basic needs programs.
• The dismantling of reproductive justice, limiting access to critical healthcare for millions of women and marginalized communities.
• Environmental deregulation, putting vulnerable communities at even greater risk of pollution and climate disasters.
• The resurgence of anti-immigrant policies, threatening families, workers, and the fabric of our communities.
• LGBTQIA+ rights under fire, with legislation targeting transgender individuals and eroding hard-won legal protections.

These are not isolated issues. They are deeply interconnected, and their impact is felt most by those who have long been marginalized. The question we must ask ourselves is: How will we respond?

What We Are Doing

At The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, we refuse to stand by while hard-fought rights and social advancements are dismantled. We are:

• Committing to protecting our most vulnerable communities by prioritizing grant-making to nonprofits and others who serve them and investing in grassroots organizations that are on the front lines advocating for policy change.
• Strengthening our democracy through investment in civic engagement, ensuring that all voices — especially those historically silenced — are heard in our democracy, while we also offer convenings that provide opportunities to learn and grow together, and invest in data, nonprofit journalism and legal defense.
• Using our platform to speak out against injustice, recognizing that philanthropy is not just about charity but about power and systemic change.
• Building coalitions across sectors, uniting nonprofit, community and business leaders in a shared fight for equity and opportunity.

What You Can Do

This is not a time for silence or complacency. Federal actions are being felt locally. If you believe in a just, inclusive society, here’s how you can take action:

• Stay informed. The first step to resistance is knowledge — educate yourself on policies and their impact. Join our convenings, share information about others and make suggestions to us about areas where you’d like to learn more.
• Support local nonprofits and advocacy groups. Organizations on the ground need resources to continue their work.
• Give to The Foundation’s Community Now Fund for current use grant making to respond to community needs.
• Speak out. Whether at your workplace, in your community, or through social media, amplify the voices of those affected.
• Be civically engaged. Join local organizations, volunteer for them. Meet your neighbors and build connections across our region. Vote and organize. Elections have consequences. Mobilize your networks to participate in the democratic process.

Moving Forward, Together

This moment is defining. It is testing our collective resolve. But let me be clear: We have been challenged before, and we have always found ways to push forward. Our community connections in Greater New Haven are a source of strength and resilience for our region. 

The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven remains steadfast in our commitment to equity and opportunity, and we invite you to stand with us. Because when we act together, we are powerful. And when we refuse to accept injustice, we can — and will — create change.

Let’s get to work.

 Karen DuBois-Walton 

Karen DuBois-Walton, Ph.D. 
President and CEO, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven