PROGRAM AREA: RIGHTS AND GOVERNANCE

Protecting and advancing rights, democracy and equity.

The US Constitution never envisioned a multiracial democracy. In order to enact the promise of our Constitution for all people - and for the sake of our planet - we must follow the lead of movements and communities fighting for justice and equity, and help create conditions in which they can thrive.

Focus

This program is dedicated to securing the constitutional rights and democratic governance needed for movements for justice to succeed.

Dissent – Protecting and advancing the right to protest.

Open Government – Making the federal government more transparent, effective, and accountable.

Rule of Law – Ensuring that US national security policies respect constitutional rights, domestic laws, and international treaties.

Constitution and Courts – Building a progressive legal movement to counter conservative and corporate influence.

In the realm of international governance, CS Fund has long funded in the area of:

Trade – Making the rules of global commerce more democratic, just, and sustainable.

PROBLEM

Though constitutional rights and democratic governance are the bedrocks of our republic, they are neither guaranteed nor self-executing.

Tyranny and plutocracy constantly threaten our liberal democracy – the fight against them is never won and must be eternally vigilant. Those in power have long held it in their self-interest to quash dissent, hoard information, and abuse their authority, and corporations have captured control of areas of government like the courts and international trade. Those most at risk from the usurpation of our rights and system of governance are often the least powerful among us.

Mission

To restore and protect the individual rights and principles of democracy articulated in the Constitution, and to ensure accountability for any violations thereof.

Vision

The right to dissent, and especially to protest, is protected and used to hold the government accountable and advance progressive social change.

The public’s right to information is respected and used to ensure an open and accountable government.

The rule of law is inviolable – rights apply equally to all and democratic governance prevails, especially in the contexts of national security, policing and immigration.

The Constitution is viewed as fundamentally progressive, not conservative, and courts privilege the rights of people over corporations.

Trade regimes privilege the public interest over that of foreign governments and private corporations and is democratic, just and sustainable.

Scope

This program makes all of its grants in the US.

Current Grants

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Program Areas

Emerging Technologies

Fighting false solutions and securing precautionary assessment, regulation and oversight

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Food Sovereignty

Building capacity and power in Indigenous communities, communities of color, and social movements

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Rights and Governance

Protecting and advancing civil rights and liberties, justice and equity, and democracy

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