Social Justice Organizations are Under Siege. Here’s How We Fight Back.

Social justice organizations are facing yet another crisis.

The economic model that sustained social change for decades is crumbling under the weight of inflation, declining donor engagement, and the consolidation of wealth into fewer hands. At the same time, the sector's moral compass is being tested as philanthropic dollars are increasingly tethered to the interests of the ultra-wealthy, corporations, and political maneuvering.

At English Hudson, we are done with polite conversations that skirt around these realities. We know that power matters, and we know that social justice organizations must do more than survive—we must build movements that shift the balance of power toward justice.

The Threats We Can't Ignore:

The Funding Model is Rigged.

The data is clear: giving from individual donors is stagnating, and foundations are hoarding wealth rather than redistributing it. Total giving in the U.S. declined by 3.4% in 2022, with individual giving dropping by 6.4%. Meanwhile, many foundations sat on endowments that grew by billions and now seem to be running scared of the new Administration.

Social justice organizations are forced to compete for restricted grants, navigate impossible reporting requirements, and accept short-term funding that keeps them in survival mode rather than scaling real impact.

Racial and Economic Justice is Under Attack.

Social justice organizations that center racial justice, immigrant rights, LGBTQ+IA advocacy, and economic equity are facing an organized backlash. Politicians are targeting organizations that promote DEI, while extremist donors attempt to reshape nonprofit priorities by threatening to pull funding.

The philanthropic sector itself is complicit—only 10% of philanthropic dollars go toward communities of color, despite the fact that these communities experience the greatest systemic inequities. If social justice organizations do not explicitly fight for power redistribution, we risk being complicit in maintaining the status quo.

Digital Spaces Are Shifting—And We're Losing Ground.

The fundraising playbook is being rewritten in real time. While digital giving is growing, social justice organizations are losing engagement in traditional online spaces. The 2024 Benchmarks Study found that nonprofit TikTok audiences grew by 112% last year, but many organizations are still investing most of their budget into outdated strategies on Facebook. As part of this trend, organizations are continuing to focus on aging donor audiences and neglecting to invest in cultivating younger donors…a strategy which will eventually backfire. 

The rapid expansion of AI, changes to search algorithms, and declining trust in institutions mean that social justice organizations must fundamentally rethink how they communicate, mobilize, and inspire action.

The Talent Pipeline is Broken.

Nonprofit workers are burned out, underpaid, and leaving the sector at alarming rates. Executive turnover is at an all-time high, and the racial leadership gap remains stubbornly wide. Organizations cannot sustain movements for change while exploiting the labor of those working for justice.

How We Fight Back:

Own Our Power and Challenge the System.

Social justice organizations cannot just be service providers—we must be power builders. This means demanding unrestricted, long-term funding, calling out funders who perpetuate inequities, and mobilizing our communities to demand systemic change.

Funders love to claim they want "innovation," yet they refuse to fund movements that challenge economic and racial injustice. It's time to stop chasing scraps and start setting the terms.

Build a Funding Model That Works for Us.

We must shift our focus away from transactional fundraising and toward community-driven giving models that prioritize grassroots support, membership programs, and donor organizing. Crowdfunding and recurring giving programs are on the rise, and organizations that prioritize donor engagement beyond traditional philanthropy will build more sustainable movements.

Prioritize Staff and Leadership Development.

If we are serious about racial justice, we must be serious about leadership transition and equity within our own organizations. That means:

• Investing in leadership pipelines for BIPOC professionals.

• Paying living wages and offering benefits that sustain long-term careers in the sector.

• Creating cultures where nonprofit workers are valued, supported, and empowered.

Rethink Digital and Mobilization Strategies.

Digital tools must be used for more than just fundraising—they must be mobilization engines. Social justice organizations that invest in storytelling, video content, influencer partnerships, and peer-to-peer engagement will be the ones that thrive in the shifting digital landscape. 

A Moment for Courage

We know, we know… This is getting old, and folks are tired. But we at English Hudson refuse to accept the continued assault on social justice organizations. We refuse to let funders, politicians, and outdated institutions dictate the terms of our survival. We must continue to fight for power and build the world we know is possible. We are here to help with strategies that will:

Strengthen Relationships With High-Net-Worth Individuals. The rich are getting richer, and social justice organizations must recognize the power of cultivating deep relationships with high-net-worth donors. We can help you do this on your terms—grounded in values, equity, and movement alignment, allowing organizations to stay true to their missions.

Safeguard Your Revenue Mix. Too many organizations rely too heavily on one revenue stream, making them vulnerable to shifts in philanthropic trends. We can help you diversify funding sources—integrating major donors, grassroots giving, foundation support, and earned revenue—to ensure that no single change can destabilize your work.

Learn From History. We have seen this movie before and history offers valuable lessons. From the rise of mutual aid networks during the Great Depression to the grassroots donor models of the Civil Rights Movement, we can use our wisdom and experience to build for the future.