Fire & Bliss

Senate rulekeeper blocks public lands sales — including in Colorado — from Republican budget bill A GOP budget bill provision that would mandate the sale of federal public lands across the West — including in Colorado — doesn’t meet reconciliation rules, the Senate rulekeeper …

Senate rulekeeper blocks public lands sales — including in Colorado — from Republican budget bill https://trib.al/TsyzQ1U

📚✨ No gatekeeping here! The Freedom to Read Foundation is on a mission to protect your right to read, think, and explore. #uniteagainstbookbans #readbannedbooks #bookbans #bannedbooks #stopbanningbooks #stopcensorship #FreedomToRead #StopCensorship #IntellectualFreedom #InclusiveLiterature

Your voice matters! Contact your representative today and tell Congress to fund IMLS and keep libraries open for students, seniors, job seekers, and everyone who relies on them. Click the link to take action now! oneclickpolitics.global.ssl.fastly.net/messages/edi...

#uniteagainstbookbans

Podcast with our founding partner: Serve, Don’t Sell

Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6oC1...

House panel: Trump's bills to Secret Service 'exorbitant' Donald Trump’s private company arranged for the Secret Service to pay for rooms at his properties in excess of government-approved rates at least 40 times — including two charges for more than $1,100 ...

USAID did not actually spend taxpayer money to send celebrities to show solidarity with Ukraine under Russian attack.

But Trump's companies did charge the Secret Service and US taxpayer at least $1.4 million to defend the Trump family 2017-2021. apnews.com/article/trav...

Eggs are not getting cheaper

A screenshot of two tweets. The first tweet is from Rick Wilson. It reads: "The executive order creating DOGE specifically said unclassified systems only". The second tweet is from Angry Staffer. It reads: "Why does DOGE need access to classified material? And who is reading them into these programs?"

They have already blown past their own authority. The courts must enjoin them now.

So, quit freaking out. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Protect your mental space, get out of your reptilian brain, rest and think.

And get help. You likely need communications and government relations support that is different than you’ve had in the past.

#philanthropy #nonprofit #authoritarians

✨ Make a communications plan. Again, it isn’t as much about statements and proclamations. It’s about winning in the court of public opinion for your very existence. It’s about providing your grantees the tools they need to protect themselves.

✨ Remember you have power. Authoritarians want us to think resistance is futile. It is not.

✨ Resist smarter than you did last time. This isn’t just about marches and a political or judicial fight. It is protecting the your 501(c)3 status and the values and people you hold dearest.

Feel like you are drinking from a fire house of unthinkable executive orders?

Then you are right where the current administration wants you. That is the way authoritarians win power and submission. They “flood the zone” with noise and confusion. They paralyze you with bad news.

What to do?

They are taking away the basis to challenge it legally and planning to do it anyway. It’s an attempt to avoid having their actions scrutinized by a judge and potentially having a ruling they don’t like.

In other words, an end-run around the law

Yesterday’s #SCOTUS United States v. #Skrmetti oral arguments offered some key insights into how we should approach this case from a communications perspective. While the stakes are high, I’m feeling skeptically optimistic. Here are a few takeaways: 🧵

Colorado schools commit to protecting students ahead of potential mass deportation “We will take care of you,” one Denver Public Schools board member said during a recent work session as he promised to keep immigrant students safe

Colorado schools commit to protecting students ahead of potential mass deportation

Important information for #philanthropy as a whole -- get on the phone w/your Reps. and Senators, particularly if you're a donor.

Hi, we are Fire & Bliss.

The Gill Foundation, an LGBTQ Powerhouse, Dives Into Pro-Democracy Funding | Inside Philanthropy One of the country’s largest LGBTQ funders is giving $4.3 million to democracy nonprofits in the lead-up to the 2024 election. It’s the latest example of a key, cause-focused philanthropy embracing ...

Democracy & LGBTQ rights are inextricably linked, so this move by the Gill Foundation is a welcome development. For @insidephilanthropy.com #philanthropy