A future that is inclusive, just and welcoming to all is not just aspirational, it is essential and within reach.

Our country’s success is rooted in the success of our communities. Immigrants are an integral part of our national resilience, vibrancy, accomplishments and growth.

This future is also increasingly in peril as immigrant communities face growing threats on all fronts. But responding to these attacks is a vibrant movement comprised of a diverse ecosystem of individuals and organizations nationwide fighting for human rights, equal opportunity, justice and full participation in society for all people regardless of legal status.

Philanthropy can invest in this frontline, intersectional movement and the thriving future it is fighting for by ensuring that it has the resources needed to succeed.

In 2016, movement groups received $124 million in grants. From 2014-2016, only 14% of dollars flowed directly to state and local groups and less than a quarter went to national membership networks that are directly accountable to local grassroots and impacted communities. The lion’s share went to national organizations doing litigation and federal policy advocacy through the courts and Congress.

Even when money has supported state and local work, funding often has not correlated to the areas of greatest threat.

Support for the movement is also concentrated in a small group of dedicated funders. From 2014-2016, just 11 foundations were responsible for half of all pro-immigrant movement funding.

Philanthropy has an urgent opportunity now to support immigrant communities organizing to combat hate and create a better future for all.

Here are 5 things funders can do (and do more of!) to support the movement:

  1. Give unrestricted, multi-year support to immigrant base-building organizations that are accountable to affected communities at the state and local levels.
  2. Don’t shy away from funding both community organizing and direct services.
  3.  Help grantees access 501(c)4 funds.
  4. Collaborate and coordinate with other movement funders to ensure the full movement ecosystem is well-resourced.
  5. Support the movement beyond just grant dollars.

Read the full article about the state of foundation funding in the pro-immigrant movement at National Committee For Responsive Philanthropy.