About
This Report
Photo by Aina Dang
This report summarizes findings from the Kataly Foundation’s 2025 Movement Partner Questionnaire (MPQ), a first of its kind survey, created to assess the needs and experiences of our grantee partners, particularly within the current political climate.
This report is designed to support peer funders in better understanding:
Capacity strengths and gaps among organizations working to build the economic, political, and cultural power of Black and Indigenous communities, and all communities of color
Barriers and threats to organizational sustainability and resilience
Strategies to address emerging and time-sensitive needs from social movement groups
For more information about the MPQ and our methodology, see Appendix A.
About Kataly &
Our Capacity
Building Program
Photo by Bethanie Hines
Founded in 2018, Kataly is a spend-out foundation working towards a world in which Black, Indigenous, and all people of color have the resources, power, and agency to execute their own visions for justice, well-being, and shared prosperity within their communities.
The Capacity Building Program supports Kataly’s mission and vision by:
Connecting movement partners with values-aligned capacity building organizations and practitioners for learning and development at low or no cost
Supporting movement-driven infrastructure development projects
Creating spaces for grantee network development
For more information about Kataly’s Capacity Building Program Appendix B.
Executive Summary
Social justice movement organizations are facing unprecedented challenges amidst rising authoritarianism and state repression. Despite these conditions, they continue to organize the resistance, support communities in peril, and build towards a vision for a liberatory future.
The Movement Partner Questionnaire (MPQ) allows leaders to self-identify strengths and needs related to various organizational capacities, as well as identify ways in which Kataly’s Capacity Building Program, the Foundation more broadly, and other funding partners can best support them in their work in the current social and political climate.
The in-depth survey respondent data and quotes revealed
five overarching themes and specific calls to action for philanthropy:
1
Safety & Security
Movement leaders feel unsafe and have major safety and security concerns for their staff, family members, and communities. They are looking to funders, networks, and alliances for technical assistance and support for implementing necessary security measures.
2
Resilient Leadership
Persistent crisis conditions have worsened the rate of burnout among movement leaders. They are calling on funders to prioritize investment in sabbaticals, succession and transition planning, strong governance, and conflict transformation.
3
Expanding the Resource Landscape
Major funding losses due to philanthropic retraction are jeopardizing organizational sustainability. Groups are asking funders to increase resources, to offer flexibility in funding, to organize other funders to support their work, and to fund the exploration of revenue generation outside of philanthropy.
4
Connection & Convening
Rates of loneliness and isolation are increasing among social justice organizations. They desire greater connection to peers who share their values and priorities, and are looking to funders to facilitate and invest in opportunities for convening and relationship-building.
5
Capacity Building Approach
Leaders appreciate the need for capacity building across their organizations, yet often face barriers in accessing these opportunities. Funders can make specific investments in capacity building tools and resources for their grantees.
Each theme corresponds to a section in this report.
Each section details survey findings, how Kataly is responding, and makes recommendations for peer funders to consider.