BY Dion Cartwright, President & CEO, The Funders Network
As the United States marks 250 years, we honor not just our history, but the ongoing work of building a nation that lives up to its highest ideals.
The promise of liberty and justice for all has never been fully realized. It has always been a call to action, not a guarantee. This week, that promise reached the Supreme Court.
In a 6-3 vote, the Court reaffirmed a fundamental truth: every child born on U.S. soil is a citizen, regardless of their parents’ immigration status.
The promise of the Fourteenth Amendment, the Court held, extends to “every free-born person in this land.” That promise didn’t enforce itself — it took people who organized, advocated and fought for their communities and future generations. That work continues today.
At The Funders Network, we know thriving, vibrant communities are built when everyone has the opportunity to belong, participate and shape the places they call home. Yet too many people still face barriers to safety, economic opportunity, representation and a healthy environment.
The pursuit of a more just future remains unfinished.
Philanthropy holds both the opportunity and the responsibility to invest in that future. We’re inspired by the funders, partners and community leaders across our network who are advancing place-based solutions rooted in equity, collaboration and the belief that lasting change begins in communities.
As we mark this milestone in our nation’s history, we are renewed in our commitment to making liberty and justice a reality for everyone — especially marginalized and vulnerable communities facing growing threats to their rights, protections and pathways to opportunity and belonging.
The last 250 years remind us that progress is made by those willing to imagine something better and work together to achieve it.
We hope you’ll join us in Cleveland this September at TFN’s 2026 Fall Convening as we continue that work — sharing ideas, building partnerships and investing in the future our communities deserve.
TFN’s 2026 Fall Convening | Sept. 14-15 in Cleveland, OH
Join funder colleagues for TFN’s 2026 Fall Convening on Sept. 14-15 in Cleveland, OH. The convening is presented in partnership by TFN’s GREEN, Inclusive Economies and PPREP working groups.
We’ll bring together funders working at the intersection of climate and environmental justice, community resilience and economic opportunity to exchange ideas, strengthen collaboration and move our work forward during these challenging times.
We’ll explore how philanthropy can work together to drive climate adaptation, economic development and community-led solutions.
➡️ Click here to learn more and register.
Photo credit: “Fireworks, Richmond” by colgregg is licensed under CC BY