John,

The Trump Presidency has struck fear in many of our hearts. So many of us have questions: How will we go on? How will progress be possible?

In response, and on Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving back, I want to tell you a story. It’s a story of hopes and dreams – but more importantly, of plans and action.

That is the story of the last time Trump was in power.

In 2016, President Elect Donald Trump ran on a “tough on crime” platform.

He declared himself the “law and order” candidate, and in his 2000-era book, wrote, “100 percent of the people who are executed never commit another crime.”

For progressives across America, the 2016 election felt like the end of the fight to stop mass incarceration.

But John, even though everybody — and I mean everybody — said that there was no hope, you and I didn’t give up on our community members behind bars.

Armed with dreams, plans, and preparation, we built the common ground needed to make change possible against all odds.

Because of your unwavering dedication, the First Step Act — a sweeping bipartisan criminal justice reform bill — was passed on December 21, 2018.

Because of your support, over 30,000 Americans were able to return home for the holidays, and spend the new year with their families and loved ones.

As a testament to the strength of your support, Trump even bragged about signing the bill, and it became the cornerstone of his 2018 State of the Union address.

So today, on Giving Tuesday, I’m asking you to join us again in making the dream of progress a reality. We have been here before, and we’re ready to do it again. 

With your help, we can:

• Build a prison-to-power pipeline, helping leaders like Ruby Welch who spent seven years behind bars in deep-red Arkansas — and is now passing bills to help 36,000+ incarcerated women.
• Bring solutions to the fentanyl crisis, helping advocates like Amanda Hall and John Bowman share their recovery journeys to solve the opioid crisis. Because of your support, and the incredible successes in Kentucky, the Public Health is Public Safety campaign is launching in six new states.
• Create community-led solutions in climate and justice tech, supporting innovators like Dexter Turner, whose EV Charging Company OpConnect is on the brink of securing the very first loan ever given by the Department of Energy to an African-American led business. 
• Protect federal climate programs in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to create new jobs, boost the economy and foster energy independence in our communities. 

All of this — and far more than can fit in one email — was made possible by you. 

And all of it can expand in 2025 and beyond, if you are willing to help.

In recognition of the hard work ahead, and thanks to generous donors, your donation today is matched 3X.

With your Giving Tuesday gift, you can make the hard work of fixing our democracy, our communities, and our future stronger than ever before. 

If you still believe in a future beyond poverty, prisons, pollution, and polarization — please make a Giving Tuesday gift today.

Let’s make dreams real, together.

With gratitude, hope, and grit,

Nisha Anand, CEO

P.S. During the last Trump Presidency, you proved that it is possible to protect freedom, dignity, and opportunity. You proved that progress is possible, no matter who is in power. Today, on Giving Tuesday, we need your help again. Your gift is matched 3X. Please give now.