In a political landscape increasingly characterized by compliance to authoritarianism, John Palfrey, president of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, stands firm in advocating for resistance among charitable organizations.
Palfrey asserts that at a time when tech giants, law firms, and academic institutions appear to be accommodating Donald Trump’s presidency, philanthropies have an imperative to collectively uphold core democratic principles.
“We have an opportunity to unite and advance,” he expressed in a recent interview. “There’s a chance here for us to stand together on a series of very important bedrock principles, and do so with linked arms, and do so in such a way that allows us to serve every community in America in a way that will ensure a strong republic for years to come.”
With Trump’s re-entry to the political sphere drawing comparisons to authoritarian regimes, critics note a culture that rewards alignment and penalizes opposition.
Prominent figures, including Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and several leading media outlets, have been accused of surrendering to the Trump administration’s agenda.
In contrast, Harvard University has recently organized a pushback against the administration after losing $2 billion in federal grants, which garnered support from former President Barack Obama, and saw over sixty current and former university presidents rally behind a supportive editorial in Fortune.
Against this backdrop, Palfrey warns that charitable organizations might soon find themselves under scrutiny and attack.
The MacArthur Foundation, established in 1978 with a $7 billion endowment, is known for funding crucial work in various fields, including social justice, climate change, criminal justice reform, and media.
Recently, Palfrey, in collaboration with Tonya Allen of the McKnight Foundation and Deepak Bhargava of the Freedom Together Foundation, wrote a public solidarity campaign’s call to action highlighting the need for philanthropic institutions to assert their freedom to give.
The article, backed by over 300 organizations, expressed concerns about the potential for “weaponized oversight” and the intimidation of philanthropic initiatives disguised as transparency.
Palfrey commented on the vital need to preserve fundamental rights, notably freedom of speech and freedom to give, which he believes are essential to the foundation’s mission.
“It’s important to draw some bright lines at this point and say these are lines that need not to be crossed,” he stated.
As a historian, Palfrey reflects on the foundations of the United States and the significance of the First Amendment, emphasizing the revolutionary principles that define the nation’s ethos.
He remarked, “We decided we wanted the rule of law, not the rule of one man, and we decided, as we set up our constitution, that the first thing we would enshrine is the right of free expression.”
With governmental actions reminiscent of authoritarian regimes, Palfrey expressed concerns about the future of civil society in the U.S.
“If where we are headed is on the model of Hungary, we are going to see a repression of civil society that will not be good for communities across America,” he cautioned.
Despite the political strife, Palfrey maintains an optimistic vision for the country.
He implores those with the privilege of free speech to actively engage in dialogue: “It’s one of those things: you have to use it or lose it. Communicating who we are as a people and continue to be as a people is very important as a message to ourselves and to the rest of the world.”
The MacArthur Foundation has a global reach, having supported organizations in 117 countries, with offices in India and Nigeria.
However, the foundation finds itself navigating an uncertain landscape, especially as the U.S. government under Trump has cut back aid in international development through drastic measures by figures like Elon Musk.
Palfrey emphasized the urgency of philanthropy’s role, particularly amid federal funding cuts that threaten crucial research and community development initiatives.
He acknowledged, “There is so much need in communities right now. Some of it does of course have to do with cuts to federal funding.”
Highlighting specific examples, Palfrey invites readers to envision the ramifications of funding cuts on life-saving medical research, stating, “If you are an organization that funds cancer research, your money is needed more than ever, so we need to step up.”
To meet this pressing need, the MacArthur Foundation plans to increase its funding by over 20% for the years 2025 and 2026.
However, Palfrey pointed out that private philanthropy cannot completely replace the loss of government funding, yet it can still play a pivotal role.
He said, “I do feel like we can and should do more, and this is what we’re called upon to do in this moment.”
In his article, Palfrey emphasizes that the philanthropic sector is often slow to react, a design flaw that could be detrimental in the present climate.
He encourages organizations to communicate clearly and avoid overly complex jargon and philanthropy-specific linguistics, urging a more straightforward approach to advocacy.
Palfrey envisions a collective movement, aiming for the business community, academic institutions, and philanthropic organizations to unite in articulating their fundamental ideals.
“I’d love to see the business community say: this is what’s super-important to us, and this is how we’re going to come together around it,” he stated.
Ultimately, Palfrey envisions a collaborative response, where diverse sectors come together to reaffirm commitments to shared values essential for the U.S. and its communities.
This united front could symbolize a significant stand against the encroaching forces of authoritarianism and a push toward preserving the values that have long defined American society.
image source from：https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/19/philanthropy-foundations-trump-resistance
