Knowing What You Don't Know: A Case Study in Flexible Leadership

The Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr. Fund Flexible Leadership Awards (FLA) Program, a Tides Center project, recently released a video case study of our work with the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR). The video highlights the importance—and the impact—of investing in social justice leadership.  The video tells the story of how NCLR, in a very short time, grew from a well-respected but relatively small nonprofit to the forefront of the movement for marriage equality. And it shows how—lacking the time or knowledge to create a broader culture of leadership or a solid structure for decision-making—NCLR leaders Kate Kendell and Shannon Minter felt pressure to do it all themselves.

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."

Tides Applauds Social Citizen Ambassadors

Tides is pleased to join the Case Foundation in congratulating its inaugural cohort of Social Citizen Ambassadors, ten Millennial generation leaders whose passion and engagement in cross-sector work is truly innovating the social change sector.  As the Case Foundation highlights, all of the Ambassadors demonstrate "an appreciation for openness and transparency, a passion for technology, a strong desire to collaborate in new and innovative ways – and all are having a transformative impact in their respective fields."  We couldn't agree more.

How Do YOU Define American?

Define American, a project of Tides founded by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas dedicated to changing the conversation about immigration, just launched a story feature that enables anyone, anywhere, to share their personal experiences as well as thoughts and beliefs about what it means to be an "American" today. Over 500 stories and definitions have already been submitted by immigrants and their allies, and will be unveiled over the next few days.  As Vargas noted, "I shared my personal story to lay bare the realities and complexities of living as an undocumented immigrant. But I'm just one person; it's just one story."  Take a look at Jose's video:

The Story of Broke

We’re not really broke—our public money has just been hijacked.  Annie Leonard talks about her new film, The Story of Broke, which shines a light on the choices our leaders are making with our money: handing out tax breaks for oil companies reaping record profits; paving public roads that only go to one place—a new Walmart; granting permits to mine public lands at prices set in 1872; cleaning up toxic messes made by giant chemical companies; and offering public funds for corporations building nuclear reactors and other risky ventures.

Creating Shared Value in the Real Estate Industry

“You gotta spend money to make money.” It’s a familiar phrase, and whether you’re a company spending millions on advertising or a nonprofit paying a full-time grant writer, new income comes at a price.  But what if we replace the word “spend” with “give”? Imagine the resources that would be unleashed if philanthropy became an integral part of profitable commerce, rather than simply an afterthought.  Investing In Communities' model allows real estate professionals to replace traditional business development costs with client-directed philanthropy.

Tides ECO Initiative Awards $850K to New Voices in Chemicals Policy

More than 80,000 chemicals are in use in the United States today.  Since 1976, when the federal Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) became law, 20,000 chemicals have been introduced into our lives without any testing or safety measures.  We are happy to announce that the Tides ECO Initiative has awarded  $850,000 to 24 groups for its New Voices in Chemicals Policy program, which aims to support organizations that bring new voices into toxic chemicals policy at the local, state, and national levels.

Experience Progressive Change at This Year’s Bioneers Conference

Experience the leading-edge of progressive system-change at this year’s Bioneers Conference, October 14-16, in San Rafael, CA and in 21 other sites around the nation.  Bioneers is offering a registration discount of 20% to members of the Tides community who’d like to register – just enter code: TIDES20.

Tides Collaborates to Create Forest Conservation Park

In the Strait of Georgia, between Vancouver Island and the mainland of British Columbia, sits Cortes Island, home to a pristine 153-acre forested property known locally as Hank’s Beach.  The local community and visitors have hiked through the forest and enjoyed the quiet seclusion of the beach for many years.  Columbian black-tailed deer, gray wolves and cougars extensively utilize a wildlife corridor on the property, and several sensitive ecosystems are represented, particularly on the bluffs above the beach.  However, some years ago the property became threatened by potential development and logging.

9/11 Stories: September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows Prepares for Ten Year Anniversary

As we approach the ten year anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, Tides project September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows is commemorating this date with a renewed call for compassionate, just, and nonviolent solutions in the face of war and terrorism.  As Peaceful Tomorrows reminds us, "Ten years since the attacks of 9/11, it is more pressing than ever that we on this shared earth learn the vital lessons of how to live together peacefully."