Tides project Define American on cover of Time Magazine

The cover of TIME Magazine features the culmination of a yearlong journey for Jose Antonio Vargas and Tides project Define American. It is a reflection on what he has experienced traveling across the United States, after “coming out” publicly as an undocumented immigrant a year ago this month.

Nominate a Young Activist for the 2012 Mario Savio Young Activist Award

"To me, freedom of speech is something that represents the very dignity of what a human being is. That's what marks us off from the stones and the stars. You can speak freely. It is really the thing that marks us as just below the angels."

Giving ‘til It Heals – Won’t You Be A High Impact Contributor?

It is clear that the challenges facing poor communities at home and abroad are formidable, but the strategies for success are within reach. Tides has long recognized a visionary approach to philanthropy. What is often missing is an intimate understanding of the motivations of donors and the means to turn philanthropic intention to strategic and sustainable community support. This year alone Tides has already launched two impact focused initiatives – Civic Participation Fund and (Ad)venture Philanthropy. Our goal is to re-ignite the spirit of social change giving and philanthropy at home and abroad through donor education and the creation of linkages among this growing community of well-intentioned, and potentially high-impact givers.

Announcing the Civic Participation Fund

Tides is thrilled to announce the opening of it’s newest grant-making vehicle, the Civic Participation Fund, which we launch today in response to shrinking resources and growing concerns about Americans’ rightful access to their ballots in 2012.

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.