Welcome Message

Speak out and ask questions: These are the challenges made by organizations supported by the Arca Foundation, and institutions representing diverse voices are rising to that challenge.

Since 1952, in its mission to pursue social equality and justice, the Arca Foundation has helped support organizations of far-ranging goals. Whether building solid structures for innovative work or responding to crisis, the many wonderful organizations supported by the Arca Foundation empower new and previously unheard participants to engage in civic life.

The nation and the world are witnessing results from the organizations funded through Arca’s Media and Democracy program. Through the exciting use of new technologies, organizations are shaping media ownership policy, shedding light on compelling stories, laboring to restore balance to the public space for debate, and serving as watchdogs in protecting independent and trusted journalism.

The Arca Foundation is committed to the challenges involving new voters and disaffected communities in the vigor of civic participation. While our specific program focus may change in response to needs we foresee in our society, we know certain needs remain: vibrant democracy requires speaking Truth to Power. The complex policies of the day demand vigorous public education and debate, and with adequate information, an organized and informed citizenry will make the right choices.

Yet how much change can occur if these voices go unheard by those in power? The next crucial step is ensuring a government that responds.

Into the future, we at the Arca Foundation see the importance of ensuring that our government responds to its citizens’ concerns both here and throughout the world. Through our country’s free media, new insights and information rose to attention about questions of war and peace, the impact of money in the campaign finance and election process, and abuses at home and abroad in the name of national security. Through environmental disasters including tsunamis, earthquakes and the tragedies of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, we gained an acute awareness of our global interconnectedness with our environment and with each other—and, to speak frankly, of the inadequacies and inefficiencies of our country’s response.

The organizations Arca supports illuminate these realities and empower citizens to take their rightful role in shaping public policy that can create the world we want—because a true government of the people is one that by definition responds to the people.

We look forward to the progress in maximizing civic participation and expanding debate and dialogue these organizations work so hard to attain. We are proud to assist them.