Our Vision
We envision a world where communities thrive in a healthy environment and where all people have the power to challenge and transform the economic and governing systems impacting their lives.
Our Mission
Leadership. Ideas. Money. Voice.
Solidago collaborates with field and other partners to build inspired leadership, experiment with bold ideas, and organize with courage to realize the democracy and justice we all deserve.
Solidago is the Latin term for the goldenrod plant, whose name means, “to strengthen or make whole.” Inspired by this widespread and deep-rooted flower, the Foundation seeks collaborative and creative approaches to deep-rooted injustices which keep communities from accessing power, wealth, and safe working and living conditions. We partner with individuals, funders, academia, and community groups working collectively to elevate voice and create lasting structural change.
Our Theory of Change
We believe that to change people’s lives, communities must build their collective power.
Our role is to support action, organizing and movement building, help seed ideas, catalyze relationships, and create and evolve the mechanisms by which money and influence are centered in community-based organizations. When we support those most impacted by structural inequity to build and wield power in collaboration with allies, they can radically challenge current systems and create new, more just, infrastructure.
Our History
The Foundation was founded in 1996 with the intent to completely distribute our endowed assets by 2020. However, the need for nimble progressive philanthropy is greater than ever. Our future depends on bold and empowered community-rooted solutions and the foundation is committed to continuing and expanding our operations toward that end. In 2006, the Foundation developed a c4 organization to engage in electoral work to better serve grantees and the full range of activities necessary to bring about lasting change.
In addition to our significant grantmaking, we continue to lead the field of philanthropy as an early funder – incubating ideas, resourcing the field and amplifying progressive voices.
Since our inception, we have issued over 3600 grants in the amount of over $60 Million, to 950 organizations and projects. Because there will always be a desire to restore injustice, we remain steadfast in our mission of empowering those fighting on the front lines for equality.