Leaning In: RTNF Launches a New Fund to Strengthen Democracy

At the Ray and Tye Noorda Foundation, our mission has always centered on supporting justice, health, education, and livelihoods—both globally and here at home. Today, we’re proud to share a new step in that journey: the launch of a small, dedicated fund to support nonpartisan efforts to strengthen democratic systems in the United States.

This decision comes at a time when many of the systems we rely on to advance opportunity are under strain. Civic institutions, norms, and infrastructure—essential to a healthy democracy—require active stewardship. Without them, the long-term impact of our work is at risk.

This new fund reflects something simple: democracy only works when people care for it. Supporting the systems and institutions that keep it healthy isn’t separate from our mission—it’s part of ensuring that the progress our partners build every day can last.

Why This Matters

Democracy can sound abstract—like something we only notice when it’s missing. But every day, it shapes the world right in front of us: whether schools stay open, whether clean water flows, whether communities have a say in their future. When it weakens, we feel it everywhere—in education, health, justice, and opportunity.

We’ve seen how deeply these challenges intersect with the lives of the people our partners serve. Our team was in Africa in February when USAID—whose budget is allocated by Congress—was unceremoniously and unconstitutionally shut down. It was a stark reminder that democracy’s strength, or fragility, reaches far beyond borders. That’s why we believe it’s time to invest in the upstream systems that make long-term progress, values-based decision-making, and stability possible.

A Strategic, Values-Aligned Approach

This isn’t a shift away from our core work. Just as we support local capacity in the countries where we fund, we believe it’s equally important to strengthen civic capacity here at home. We’re committing roughly 5% of our annual giving to this effort—not as a detour, but as a strategic investment in the broader conditions that make our impact sustainable.

We know this space is complex and evolving. We don’t have all the answers, but we’re committed to learning alongside trusted partners who have been working on these issues with integrity and care.

Looking Ahead

In the months ahead, we’ll be reaching out to partners to understand how their strategies are evolving in response to these shifts. Our goal is to support a small group of organizations whose work reflects the values we hold: transparency, inclusion, and long-term thinking. At the same time, we’re mindful of balancing urgent priorities—supporting the brave and sleepless defenders of democracy—with the slower, relationship-based work of renewal that takes root over time.

As we embark on this effort, we’re guided by a simple truth: democracy thrives when thoughtful, committed people show up.

We’re grateful to our board for leaning in with courage and clarity—and hopeful that this new fund will help strengthen the civic foundations that support all of our work, now and for generations to come.