Published in Chronicle of Philanthropy

By Heather Gerken

At a moment when many Americans are deeply distressed about the state of our democracy, I see hope.  

Even as the gale-force winds of polarization pull us apart, the American people still agree on the fundamentals:  Our elections should be free and fair.  Our processes for casting and counting votes—safely and securely—should function without partisan interference.  The will of the voters should prevail.  

The work to ensure that the United States honors these basic principles—and our shared democratic values more broadly—has been the work of my life. It has also been the work of my first months as the Ford Foundation’s president, as we’ve invested $60 million in new funding to defend the rule of law, fortify voting rights, and boost civic participation.

Read the full op-ed.