If you’ve been paying attention to the news, you may have heard that the U.S. has recently hit a jobless rate not seen since the Great Depression. Americans — and so many others around the world — continue to face unprecedented physical, emotional, and economic challenges due to COVID-19. In honor of International Workers’ Day, this month, we wanted to take a minute to pause and raise up our national and international workers — many of whom are on the frontlines and are being hit hardest by the pandemic. In our featured story, we dive deeper into what it means to be an immigrant worker in a COVID-19 world, and we explore the ramifications for undocumented workers specifically. Read more.

May is also Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, and here at Tides we’re proud to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. This month, Tides will be exploring conversations related to issues impacting the AAPI community with a goal to honor the rich diversity of our fellow Asians and Pacific Islander Tidesters, and raise awareness of current challenges impacting the AAPI community. Tides is proud to stand alongside 365 groups and individuals in the philanthropic sector against anti-Asian violence happening during the pandemic. Learn more.

The undocumented immigrant community is facing even greater hardship with their health and livelihood during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 11 million undocumented migrants across the U.S. are disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, and 6 million migraints are considered “essential” workers in roles ranging from agriculture to transit. Tides has been working alongside these communities for decades, providing support in their efforts to obtain better legal protections and shining a light on their stories. In the face of a global pandemic, we are dedicated to providing the help they need to stay safe and healthy. Read more.

Tides is proud to announce the 2020 Pizzigati Prize winner to Software Developer Piero Toffanin of OpenDroneMap, an organization helping to turn drones into accessible tools that improve and protect local communities. The Pizzigati Prize honors software developers working to create open-source applications that support activists and nonprofits in their push for social change. Read more about Toffanin’s work and why he won this year’s prize!

Tides Advocacy, the 501(c)(4) affiliate of Tides, has appointed Romilda (Romy) Justilien as its new CEO. Romy previously served as Tides Advocacy’s Deputy Director, growing the organization’s reach, impact, and commitment to building power for communities of color and those at the margins. Learn more.

In times of uncertainty, evidence provides leaders with timely, actionable information to make decisions and address urgent needs. Tides’ partner, Project Evident, harnesses the power of evidence for greater impact, helping nonprofits, funders, school districts, and education agencies strengthen the way evidence is generated and used. Project Evident is generously offering free consultation for organizations seeking guidance on using data and evidence to understand new needs, adapt their programs, and optimize their outcomes. If you’re interested in learning more about their work or partnering, please contact Cedric Charlier at [email protected].

Even before COVID-19, the plight of workers was becoming increasingly dire as income inequality intensified. Today, the situation is far more uncertain. Just prior to the pandemic, Tides published a landscape analysis to understand the make-up of the low-wage worker ecosystem. After hearing from policymakers, union leaders, and grassroots organizations, the report found several key areas of support for workers across the state. A major finding indicates that philanthropic dollars are not reaching The Central Valley to the extent that it should. Shifting systemic injustice for low-wage workers requires us to explore how philanthropy pays attention to the worker ecosystem, now more than ever. Read the report.

Tides Corporate partner Zuora announced that the company’s philanthropic arm, Zuora.org, has opened its first public grant through the Zuora Impact Fund at Tides Foundation. The Zuora Impact Fund is seeking to award grants to organizations that support the communities where employees live and work. The fund will make strategic grants to global nonprofits and social enterprises focused on creating more equitable and prosperous communities, including those communities that strengthen educational foundations, create innovative workforce development opportunities, and stimulate local economies. The deadline is May 31, 2020. Learn more and apply.

This month, Tides grantee and partner National Immigration Forum launched the #AllOfUS campaign. Coming together through a broad coalition of faith, civil rights, and immigration organizations, the campaign aims to remind the public that all Americans, regardless of how long we’ve been in the U.S., are contributing to conquering the pandemic. This campaign enhances the National Immigration Forum’s work, bridging policy and politics to create the solutions necessary for our country and all its residents to prosper—regardless of where they were born. To learn more and participate, visit allofuscare.com.

Communities who are not eligible for unemployment benefits, such as unsalaried artists and undocumented immigrants, are most at risk due to the current economic climate –– and funders are mobilizing to support them. Tides’ Venturous Theater Fund has joined the Bret Adams & Paul Reisch Foundation in providing $200,000 of direct support for playwrights, composers, lyricists, and librettists who have had a full professional production cancelled, closed, or indefinitely postponed due to the COVID-19 closures. If you’re wondering how you can support, you can donate to one of our recommended organizations.

• In the past 8 weeks, Tides advisors have worked more closely with our Social Ventures than ever before, and the pandemic has only reinforced the benefits of having a strong, interdependent, and nurturing network. Learn more about how fiscal sponsors like Tides are uniquely positioned to bring support during crises like the one we’re experiencing today.
• Tides’ partner Revolution Foods has partnered with school districts to feed students. Since the pandemic started, they have expanded from supporting San Francisco, to supporting several other Bay Area school districts. Read more.
• With shelter-in-place orders, avenues to protect those experiencing domestic violence have reduced to a startling degree. Tides’ partner Shalom Bayit supports domestic violence victims in the Bay Area and shares what they’re doing to adapt and support their community during these challenging times. The organization remains open and has gathered resources for those who need it. Learn more.