Dear Kresge Foundation Grantees and Partners:

The current administration’s avalanche of executive orders and actions have not only turned the notion of reasoned and balanced public policy inside-out but have also threatened to undermine and unravel the progress that American civil society has made toward realizing a more equitable and just social and economic order. These divisive actions vary in form and focus, but have been unsettling in their breathtaking capriciousness, disturbing in their cruel insensitivity to the plight of the nation’s least fortunate, and corrosive to the nation’s enduring commitment to preserve and fortify the common good.

Kresge – along with so many of our colleagues and partners – doesn’t simply disagree with these actions on policy grounds, although that disagreement is deep and profound. It is instead a matter of unequivocally opposing the dismantling and delegitimizing of the bedrock values on which civil society – in particular, the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors – must unalterably rest. Decency. Compassion.  Respect for difference. Reasoned discourse.  Equity … and justice … and opportunity.

The ability to direct charitable resources toward meaningful causes informed by a foundation’s mission and strategies is a cornerstone of American civic life. Restricting that discretion – or circumscribing those judgments – undermines the ability of philanthropy to provide the resources and supports that are vital to a thriving and innovative nonprofit sector. And, at core, government overreach of this nature threatens the viability of social change efforts by distorting the capacity of organizations like yours to set and adhere to long-term direction, as well as your ability to adapt to ever-changing short-term needs.

The volatility and unpredictability of the environment we are called to navigate makes it critically important that Kresge express without equivocation our constancy of purpose and commitment. We will not deviate from our mission of strengthening the building blocks of equity and opportunity in American cities, and everywhere our grantmaking occurs. We will not compromise in any way our obligation to stand by you and our nearly 900 partners.

Kresge will continue to make available the full spectrum of our financial, human, and reputational resources. Please know that we will continue to provide the kind of patient capital that will help partners adapt, find new ways to meet the moment’s challenges, and amplify leadership emerging from community.

But we also understand that constancy of purpose on our part must be wedded to flexibility. We will continue to simplify our processes so that you can focus your time and energy where it is needed most. Please let us know where we can improve by responding to this email or by speaking with your program officer.

This is a period that can extract a serious personal toll. I hope you will place a priority on creating time, space, and actions that can promote healing, affirmation, and restoration. On behalf of the entire Kresge staff, I want to express my sincere hopes that you and your team will take care of yourselves.

You are not alone. We stand with you.

Rip Rapson

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