As youth head back to school—mostly virtually—we wanted to acknowledge what an incredibly unique year it’s been for kids. From remote learning to the lack of in-person social interaction with friends due to COVID-19, 2020 has thrown a number of curveballs that are hitting our younger generation hard. On top of this, we are about to have a presidential election that will dictate which way America and our democracy heads for the next four years. Yet, in the face of all of these challenges, youth remain resilient. Read more below on how youth across the country are rising up to get out the vote, and learn how philanthropy is stepping up to support them.

In communities throughout the country, youth are organizing to get out the vote this November, despite the pandemic. Groups like Detroit Action and Engage Miami Civic Foundation are using phone banking, social media, and other outreach tools to ensure young people register to vote. With so much at stake and with so many critical issues—and our democracy—on the line, this election is just too important to ignore, especially for this empowered generation of social activists. Read more»

Feeding our nation’s children through school meals has always been a community effort, from farmers and distributors to teachers and school nutritionists. During this pandemic, it’s been made clear that workers who keep our kids and families fed—many of whom are Black, Hispanic, Indigenous and other people of color—are often unseen, underpaid, and undervalued for the contributions they make in our communities. That’s why this October, National Farm to School Network, a Tides Center partner, will focus its annual National Farm to School Month campaign on expressing appreciation and amplifying underrepresented voices in order to shift power to essential workers and create a more just food system. Join us throughout October to celebrate those who feed us and our children, including a virtual community discussion on October 14 with Karen Washington about shifting power and building food justice. All are welcome and encouraged to join. Learn more and get involved at farmtoschool.org/month»

The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans, a project of Tides Center, continues to lead a national response to COVID-19 for the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community through its COVID-19 Taskforce and the Emergency Response Network (ERN) website. The coalition of 37 national AAPI civil rights and nonprofit organizations created its taskforce to organize information ranging from health resources to combating anti-Asian racism. In a parallel effort, NCAPA launched the ERN website to serve as a clearinghouse of COVID-19 information from the broader AAPI community, bringing together a wide range of organizations and partners beyond its core coalition membership. Learn more about the Emergency Response Network»

As our nation seems continuously more divided, we need to bridge conflict among us and make belonging a part of our consciousness. This starts with our youth. Teaching Empathy Institute (TEI), a Tides Center partner, designed a program that addresses this important issue. A Year of Belonging teaches educators how to make belonging a part of the consciousness that pervades the school, classroom, and community settings by exploring what is needed to promote emotional safety, resilience, mindfulness, equity, empathy, and diversity. The program was born out of the earliest days of TEI founding director David Levine’s career as an educator with a dream to create connecting and transformative school experiences for educators, students, and parents. David’s book of the same title won the Nautilus Book Award in 2019. Learn more about becoming a partner or supporting TEI’s work»

Native American communities are often invisible in “normal” times. This is exacerbated in times of crisis. Native communities are ripe for the effects of COVID-19 to intensify at extraordinary levels as they are already battling economic and health disparities beyond the current pandemic. In recognition of this need, Tides Foundation is pleased to work with a generous Tides partner in announcing $1.5 million in grants to three organizations: Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples, The Hopi Foundation, and the Navajo Nation COVID-19 Relief Fund. More support is forthcoming, enabled by the generosity of our philanthropic partners. Tides Foundation clients may reach out to their Tides philanthropic advisors to learn more about how they can support Native American communities. If you're new to Tides, learn how Tides can support your philanthropic grantmaking.

As this year’s election will be markedly different, stay informed on key dates for your state. Please be sure to register to vote, and tell others to do the same. Not sure if you are registered at your current address? Check here: https://www.vote.org/am-i-registered-to-vote. Our democracy depends on it.

• In his Tides Perspectives post, Edward Wang shares reflections about three major events that have shaken our society and how the corporate world is evolving.
• Trying to advance racial equity at work? Learn from the experts. Equity in the Center recently published an excellent report: AWAKE to WOKE to WORK: Building a Race Equity Culture.
• Corporations support voter turnout because supporting democracy is good for business, according to a report by the Ash Center at Harvard Kennedy School.