Civil society is a sector of society where individuals, organizations, and movements come together to address societal challenges, advance shared interests, and create positive change. When civil society is strong, leaders and organizations can build institutions that foster dialogue, collaboration, accountability, and civic participation from all members of society. A strong civil society is essential to achieve progress toward our collective goals of a healthy climate, an ocean that sustains us, equal access to opportunities and resources for women, thriving families and communities, and a just society. 

Across the globe, we are witnessing threats to civil society. It is estimated that more than two billion people, or 28% of the world’s population, live in places where restrictions on rights mean that people can’t organize or express themselves freely – and they often face intimidation and harassment if they do. When civil society becomes constrained by a lack of resources and support, or when civic space is threatened or closed it limits the ability of leaders, organizations, and communities to drive progress.  

Our aim is to ensure that, across all the issues we support at the Packard Foundation, our partners and the many others who participate in civil society have the resources and capacity to achieve their goals. We do this by investing in the skills and strengths of leaders and organizations through coaching, training, resource hubs, and peer support spaces. We also invest in the behind-the-scenes structures that help nonprofits succeed – such as strong operations, safety and security, and healthy workplace cultures.  

Beyond individual organizations, we fund broader networks and partnerships that connect groups across different issues, helping them learn from each other and stay strong as they work to improve their communities and create a more just society. Additionally, we invest in efforts to create and maintain a safe and open civic space where these leaders and organizations can freely and safely do their work.    

Working together, we hope to better address the barriers to change, not just for our grantees, but for many of the actors who compose civil society.