We sent our inaugural newsletter of Making Sense; Maximizing Impact on January 23 (on our new archive here). In that message we framed our intentions: to build impact and community, and to maintain our sanity in these challenging times. We also provided some options for supporting those under siege in Minneapolis and Maine.

The very next morning, Alex Pretti was murdered by federal officers and something shifted. The Dems found a toehold and – against all odds – some unity. For now, they have taken a stand against masked warrantless federal agents wreaking havoc and abandoning constitutional principles. We will see how firm they hold, for how long.

Regardless of what happens next, this is all part of a long-term fight to maintain our democracy, defeat injustice and build something better. It didn’t start this century, and it will outlive us all.

We promised to follow our first email with our current priorities for 2026 giving and taking action. But first, a quick reflection.

Jump over reflection to Our Top Priorities Now.

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A Personal Reflection

There are so many ways to take action and support change. Many of you have been doing this work longer or deeper than we have.

We all need to find what works best for us, and trust that the sum of everyone’s contributions will create the change we seek. Our recommendations below are in a proud tradition of Collective Action to bring us hope and the change we all need.

In March of 1984, Rev. Jesse Jackson inspired us both at Ann Arbor’s Michigan Theater as we prepared to graduate from the U of M. He called for a multiracial rainbow coalition to come together for a more just country and sought the Democratic nomination for President (and again in ‘88). In the wake of his death last week, we have been reflecting on the impact of individual inspirational leaders and the long road that leads to change, often circuitously and painfully slowly. But when change happens, it often takes us by surprise. (Soon, please!)

Inspiring leaders build on the work of those who came before, leaving stepping stones for others to follow. In 1984, Rev. Jackson failed to capture the nomination – despite our primary votes – but he inspired millions to take on the work.

Take a couple of minutes to enjoy Jesse Jackson’s DNC convention speech in 1984.
(key link | full speech).

If you haven’t seen Rev. Jackson leading children in a rendition of the poem I am Somebody on Sesame Street, take the 90 seconds. You won’t regret it.

In the intervening years, a lot of people continued the work and kept the hope alive. Following in Rev. Jackson's footsteps, it took another 24 years for the first black major party nominee, and the election of President Obama. (Right up to election night, we doubted our country would elect a black President.)

We cannot and will not predict the future, but we all need the hope and inspiration that comes from playing our part. And we know that change will not happen without many millions of us doing so.

For our part, we want – and hope anyone reading this– will feel pushed to take action but not feel judged if they choose to – or must – do less. For some people, the choice is a practical matter. They have more to risk because their age, ability, appearance or identity put them at greater risk. Similarly, a modest donation for some is out of reach for others. We hope to show up and invest not only for ourselves and the future, but also for those who cannot.

Some of us have more time than money; others more money than time. But whatever you choose, we hope you find your lane and dig into the work. Whether you associate it with Hillel the Elder, John Lewis or JFK:

If not us, who? If not now, when?

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Our Top Priorities Now

As we continue to learn about different approaches to change, and the work of organizations and individuals, we are repeatedly impressed by the creativity and dedication. The breadth and depth of the work – and the constant chirp of “asks” for money – can be overwhelming.

Right now, our top priority is to fuel the nationwide resistance movement, and ensure elections happen and that the results are protected and respected.

This is followed closely by the short-term demands of protecting and supporting those under attack by ICE and this administration.

1: Build Mobilizations & Resistance

As we saw in Minneapolis, there is no bigger brake on the administration than a groundswell of popular uprising. Ultimately, the people of Minneapolis curbed ICE’s presence and changed the conversation. But, it took the deaths of two (white) protestors to do so. The people of color being demonized, caged and killed didn’t curtail the action. And the horror continues in Minneapolis and across the country.

Local and national resistance created the recent change in the “conversation” nationally (and inspired the Dems to stand up, at least for the moment). It must continue to build. But it will take millions more of us!

Throughout 2025, demonstrations steadily grew:

• April: 3-5 Million across 1,400 sites at Hands Off;
• June: 4-6 Million across 2,100 sites at No Kings;
• October: 7 Million across 2,700 sites at No Kings II.

We have to maintain the momentum:

• March 28th: We need more than 8 Million at No Kings III. And, 34 days later, to harness the energy for
• May 1: A nationwide May Day protest – "No Work, No School, No Shopping" – in support of Labor.

So, what can we do to ensure continued growth in Mobilizations?

• Attend both March 28 and May 1;
• Inspire a larger crew to join you for each;
• Send a donation to Indivisible. They are shouldering significant additional costs to organize, promote growth and ensure security.

2: Help safeguard elections and prepare rapid responders

How do we ensure that elections happen? And that the polling places, the election officials, the workers, and the results, are protected? That those who should be able to vote can? If ICE shows up in polling places, who is going to ensure voters are safe and welcomed, and that they and their constitutional rights are protected?

We know that the far right will do everything it can to undermine elections at every step of the way (because they already have, and are only getting more desperate)? The good news is that all elections are local.

The Election Safeguard Response Network (ESRN) – a network of familiar groups and others – is our best defense against election interference.

1. Leveraging mobilizations to ensure millions turn out to insist results are respected in November.
2. Providing trained Rapid Response to combat election interference (like the recent FBI seizures).
3. Recruiting volunteers for voter protection and support at the polls (primaries start next week!).
4. Training to defend against voter intimidation (ICE?) at the polls.

Currently ESRN is mapping capacity in the most vulnerable geographies across the country and inventorying the local and county-based volunteer organizations with expertise, capacity and leadership capability.

Though this network is already recruiting key organizers, building the capacity to coordinate with state and local groups and officials, and developing the tools and training necessary for success, it all takes funding.

So, what can we do to safeguard elections and prepare rapid responders?

• Contribute via ESRN’s fiscal sponsor: All Voting is Local (a c3 charity).

All Voting is Local is a nonpartisan organization that fights for free and fair elections at the state and local level. They focus on key states, build bridges with election officials year-round, and provide local advocacy campaigns that leverage national expertise in protecting the right to vote.

3: Supporting Immigrants under attack

The majority of people in this country care about their neighbors and their rights. With each subsequent attack by ICE, the organizing and networks have built on – and built up – the collective strategies and tactics opposing them. Even though ICE raids may not be at the top of the news, they continue.

So, what can we do to support and protect immigrants?

• In Boston, join ICE watch and offer support at LUCE Immigrant Justice Network. (Join an online fundraiser March 26 with LUCE, Neighbor to Neighbor and AG Andrea Campbell. Register | Co-host.)
• Minneapolis’ community will take a long time to recover. Check out our January newsletter for ideas, or support the new Salt Cure Fund, to help the decimated restaurant community in Minnesota.
• Elsewhere? Just search Rapid Response, ICE Watch, Immigrant Rights or Mutual Aid for your area.

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And…Build long-term power

It’s never a bad idea to invest in grassroots organizing to build political power and help win elections. Here are two outstanding options.

Working Families Party is a strategic organizing force that builds power for the working class. They run candidates – within the Democratic Party or independently – to ensure the party remains beholden to people, not donors and corporations. Recently, they played a key role in Zohran Mamdani’s victory in NYC, and leaders have joined his administration. WFP puts the right kind of pressure on the Democratic party.

• Consider becoming a WFP member at a level that is right for you.
• WFP’s c4 advocacy arm, Working Families Power, is an organizing force in their own right that continues to grow and build out its network. They focus on policies and campaigns that change people’s lives, like workers’ rights, democracy reform, criminal justice reform and education.

Movement Voter Project (c4) and its PAC (100% partisan) continues to be a favorite of ours. MVP acts as a 'mutual fund' for grassroots giving. Instead of funding candidates, MVP invests in hundreds of local organizations that build year-round community power and win elections, especially in key swing states.

• MVP’s sister org, Movement Voter Fund, maintains a c3 (tax-favored) charitable fund that does nonpartisan civic engagement work.

In either case, your support leverages an excellent team with deep connections to grassroots organizing groups, and current political analysis. Organizing groups don’t just receive grants, they also receive critical capacity-building technology and consulting from people that understand their work and what the groups are up against.

Ultimately, we encourage you to invest your time and resources in the work that gives you the most satisfaction. Choose the lane that fuels your hope and keeps you engaged.

Keep the hope alive. Thank you for being in this work with us.

Tom & Julia