Oct 08, 2025

The Raikes Foundation Announces Grants to Strengthen Communities and Democracy

Strong communities make strong democracies. When people have the voice, choice, and power to shape the decisions that affect their lives, we all prosper.

That belief is at the center of the Raikes Foundation’s Resourcing Democracy portfolio, which has awarded its first set of grants to organizations helping working people come together to shape a fairer future in Michigan, Washington, and North Carolina—and to national partners building the networks that sustain this work across the country.

These investments support organizations deeply rooted in their communities—groups that know the challenges, the opportunities, and the people driving change. Together, they are strengthening local leadership, aligning state and national strategies, and building the civic infrastructure needed for a more inclusive and resilient democracy.

This kind of progress takes time and trust. While each state and organization has its own priorities, all share a common purpose: organizing beyond short-term election cycles to ensure communities have lasting power and voice. These grants help these partnerships grow, experiment, and adapt as conditions evolve—because durable change happens when communities lead.

Here are two examples of what this work looks like in practice.

THE WASHINGTON POWER BUILDING TABLE 

The Washington Power Building Table (PBT) is a partnership of six community-based organizations—Firelands, OneAmerica, Latino Community Fund, The Washington Bus, Washington Community Action Network, and Working Washington—working together to build statewide power in low-income and communities of color in the state.

For years, PBT organizations have been on the frontlines—responding to escalating ICE enforcement, supporting immigrant families, and preparing communities for the ripple of effects of federal actions. Their efforts go beyond near-term change: they are creating lasting infrastructure so communities can advocate for themselves and influence decisions that shape their futures.

In partnership with other statewide networks, PBT helped lead a successful campaign urging state leaders to use their power to protect immigrant residents. This collective effort led the governor to establish a new immigrant sub-cabinet, ensuring greater coordination across state agencies on immigration-related issues.

Their work shows how community-rooted organizing not only responds to urgent challenges—it builds the civic muscle that makes our democracy stronger and more inclusive.

GRASSROOTS STRATEGY COLLEGE

The Grassroots Power Project’s Grassroots Strategy College shows the powerful role national organizations can play in supporting long-term, community-driven solutions—by amplifying state work, connecting groups across states, and equipping them with the tools, research, and strategies that help them succeed.

The fifth Strategy College was a weeklong convening that brought together seasoned organizers from 44 organizations across 11 states. These leaders are advancing a shift away from short-term, reactive tactics toward long-term strategies that make transformational change possible. The convening served as a community of practice—an opportunity for state leaders to learn from one another, share what’s working, and deepen collaboration.

In a political and funding landscape that too often rewards competition rather than collaboration, the Strategy College created a unique opportunity for groups to build trust, alignment, and collective vision. It’s a reminder that durable change doesn’t happen in silos—it grows when organizers, funders, and communities invest in one another and work toward a shared future.

2025 GRANT RECIPIENTS:

State:

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