Tides Applauds Cecilia Muñoz's appointment as Director of the Domestic Policy Council

Tides congratulates civil rights and immigrants' rights advocate Cecilia Muñoz on being named the new White House Director of the Domestic Policy Council by President Obama. This historic announcement marks Muñoz as the first Latina in the position, as well as the highest ranking Latina in the White House.  "I am delighted that President Obama has appointed such a talented and tireless community advocate to this post," said Tides CEO Melissa L. Bradley. "Cecilia Muñoz represents the new emerging majority in this country, and has the skills and experience to change the conversation on many key domestic issues."

XL Victory as Keystone XL Pipeline is Delayed

The State Department announced this afternoon that a decision on the proposed pipeline from Canada to Texas, known as Keystone XL, would be delayed until 2013. Reversing what was once seen as inevitable approval for the project, this is a major victory for those concerned with protecting our environment and combating climate change. Many Tides clients, donors, and partners were at the forefront of the nationwide effort to combat the Keystone pipeline and they deserve thanks from all of us for their contributions to this victory.

Tides Returns to Washington, DC

Tides is known throughout the United States as a thought leader, an incubator of ideas, and a champion of social change.  We now add to that description, a facilitator of political action and advocate for progressive ideals. Working with our clients, grantees and other partners, Tides Washington, DC will become a hub for those who seek to make our country, and our world, a better place by engaging in our political process.

Why We Support the #OccupyWallStreet Movement

#OccupyWallStreet is clearly a people’s movement.  However, the media has attempted to undermine its legitimacy by minimizing its goals and effectiveness, and they have missed the power of this movement in addressing various issues and becoming a force in various cities, sectors, and elections.  As CEO Melissa L. Bradley comments, Tides is proud of #OccupyWallStreet and looks forward to the future of the movement.

Sustaining Self in a Life of Institution - Banned Books Week Essay Contest Winner

Congratulations to Gemma Baumer, the winner of the Thoreau Center for Sustainability's Student Essay Contest, sponsored by the Whole Earth Library.  The contest is a commemoration of Banned Books Week and is held in conjunction with The Bay School of San Francisco.  This year's essay contest encouraged students to consider how intellectual freedom relates to the concerns of sustainability such as ecological protection, economic security, democracy, and social justice.

Preserve Democracy: Expand the Vote, Don’t Restrict It

This year has marked the largest legislative effort to roll back voting rights in more than a century.  In response to record turnout in 2008—specifically among young voters, low-income voters, seniors and voters of color—a dozen states have passed new laws designed to impede voters at every step of the electoral process.  The Advancement Project's Judith Browne-Dianis comments on these new barriers aimed at neutralizing these surges and systematically disenfranchising already registered voters.

Broadcasting Opportunity: How Community Radio Powers Social Change

Ninety percent of Americans use radio at least once a week, making it the most common point of connection today.  And thanks to the passage of the Local Community Radio Act, groups will soon have the opportunity to start community radio stations in cities and towns across the country—as early as next summer.  As Danielle Chynoweth of the Prometheus Radio Project notes, this marks the largest expansion of community radio in U.S. history, and in many areas, will be the first such opportunity in more than 30 years.

London's Burning: Who's Responsible?

"Basically we nearly died!" was my niece Roxana’s Facebook status. It was accompanied by a few seconds of video she’d taken with her phone, showing a group of young men hurling objects and up-ending a car. Initially a response to the fatal police shooting of Londoner Mark Duggan, the riots in London spread throughout the capital and then throughout the country.  During this wave of riots, I’ve observed that those with liberal or center-left views seem more likely than before to see this as individual rather than a societal problem. We had laughed when Margaret Thatcher first told us that there was "no such thing as society," but maybe her words took root.

Melissa Bradley Talks Gender Equity at the Aspen Ideas Festival

As part of Tides’ 2011 focus on Gender Equity, CEO Melissa Bradley recently spoke at the Aspen Ideas Festival on a panel entitled, “Why Invest in America's Women?” The panel focused on women’s roles in the economy and workforce, and how changes in policy and culture are needed to improve the lives of diverse women and their families.  The panelists addressed a range of questions from both Martin and the audience, and Melissa herself discussed topics ranging from Title IX to female CEOs, capital investment in women-led initiatives, welfare reform, pay disparities, and innovative workplace solutions and systems of care.

Support the Social Safety Net, Preserve Charitable Deductions

Tides CEO Melissa Bradley recently signed on to a letter initiated by our colleagues at Independent Sector, and signed by leaders from the nation's leading foundations and non-profit organizations, urging President Obama and Congress to preserve the tax incentives for charitable giving.  As our elected officials in Washington discuss reductions in spending to lower the national debt, the signatories argue against sacrificing our nation's social safety net and entitlement programs, and caution against jeopardizing the non-profit sector's workforce and programs by capping tax incentives for charitable contributions.