What will it take for philanthropy to unlock the extraordinary potential of 501(c)(4)s? In this episode, co-hosts Glen Galaich and Ralph Lewin, Executive Director of the Peter E. Haas Jr. Family Fund, challenge the fake rules telling philanthropy to stay neutral, avoid risk, stick to funding 501(c)(3)s, and keep political work at arm’s length.
They’re joined by Leah Greenberg, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of Indivisible, a nationwide movement of everyday people organizing across all 50 states. Leah pulls back the curtain on what happens after the protest: local organizing, voter registration, advocacy, mutual aid, relationship-building, and the hard work of turning moments of public anger into sustained political participation. She also challenges funders to stop treating 501(c)(3) status as a moral status and to take seriously what well-resourced 501(c)(4) work can unlock. Together, Leah, Ralph, and Glen pose a sharper question to philanthropy: if the goal is real democratic change, are funders willing to back the people actually organizing to win?
💡Leah Greenberg: “Anybody who's frustrated with, “why am I not unlocking the impact that I should have with the amount of resources that I am putting in,” should really think about whether they're actually putting their resources in in a way that allows us to tap into that impact.”
💡Ralph Lewin: “Organized people shift what's possible, and then institutions and politicians follow.”
Learn more and get involved withIndivisible. Check out itsHands Off Our Vote movement, supporting efforts to ensure eligible voters can cast their ballots and have those ballots counted.
Order your copy of Glen’s book, CONTROL: Why Big Giving Falls Short.
Learn about the Stupski Foundation.
Co-Hosts: Ralph Lewin & Glen Galaich
Guest: Leah Greenberg
Executive Producer: Claire Callahan
Production Team: Podfly
Video Editing: Edith Belmont
Graphic Design: Middle MGMT
