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In this program update, we’re asking philanthropy to fund frontline organizations, sharing updates from our Black-led solidarity economy projects, teasing our upcoming newsletter with Art.coop, and sharing information about our spring office closure. Thank you for your part in making this work possible! Whether you share our Roundup newsletter with your networks, donate to NEC, or contribute to solidarity economy projects in your region, you are supporting the growth of this movement at a time when it is most needed. |
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NEC Endorses Muslim’s For Just Futures’ Letter to Philanthropy |
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Every quarter at NEC, we have a member-exclusive call for programmatic updates, trainings, relationship building, and strategy sharing. At our first call of the year, “Solidarity vs. Fascism,” we found that state attacks on immigrants are impacting our network across the board, from worker cooperatives to education and training groups. This is why NEC moved to endorse Muslims for Just Future’s letter to philanthropy for a “Pooled Fund to Protect Organizations and Movement Groups from State Repression,” and initiate other in-house rapid response funding actions. As we build regional solidarity economies across the United States, frontline organizations and networks need to have the financial infrastructure to support our work and the oppositional legal and carceral threats. You can read more about the proposals for this fund here. |
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In the midst of criminalizing solidarity, counter-revolutionary wars, genocide, and terrorism allegations placed on BAAMEMSA people, you can support Muslims for Just Future to provide guaranteed income cash assistance to Muslim women in the DMV-area who are heads of their household. Donate. |
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Prioritizing Black-Centered Solidarity Economy Projects |
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Why We’re Building The Wellness Fund |
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In 2020, at the onset of COVID and the abolitionist uprisings, Black staff at the New Economy Coalition created the Black Solidarity Economy Fund (BSEF), which will regrant its millionth dollar this year to Black-led solidarity economy projects. In 2025, in this particular expression of American fascism, we created the Wellness Fund to support the well-being of individuals in New Economy Coalition’s network who are experiencing the impacts of anti-Blackness. This fund will be open to all individuals who work within NEC member organizations, former grantees, and working group members. Eligible applicants can apply for up to $500 on a rolling basis. Funds can be used by individuals to care for themselves, their families, and their communities as they see fit. We trust those most directly impacted to know what they need best. We understand the impacts of anti-Blackness are vast. In the history of NEC’s existence, we have witnessed a constant attack on Black communities and it aligns with our mission and values to disrupt and fight back. We recognize that anti-Blackness has impacts on individual’s mental and physical health as well as family and community groups through systemic structures.
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The Black Radical Democracy Working Group is LIVE! |
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About 40 members from different Black solidarity economy organizations, across the United States, gathered in Durham, North Carolina in July 2024. We spent a weekend studying, storytelling, sharing good food, listening, and ancestral honoring. Our quality time together created a charter for a strategic and social space at the New Economy Coalition. We named it the Black Radical Democracy Working Group. While BSEF is moving critical funds to the Black Solidarity Economy the BRDC working group is focusing on resourcing collective power through relationship and knowledge building. We are turning our energy to planning, strategizing, sharing, reflecting, raising questions, and organizing. What we felt in the gathering in North Carolina last July was like a droplet finding its way back to the river of possibility. The space was plentiful; full of hopeful visions, questioning, healthy debate, deep listening, ancestral reverence, and sitting at the feet of elders. Most importantly it was joyful, soulful, music filled, and spirit-led. Why do we gather? Why do we keep showing up? Because we know that Black people, Black power, Black love, Black creativity, Black collectivism, and Black revolutionary spirit are at the foundations of the solidarity economy. |
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Event Recaps |
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| Thank you to all who joined our event “Remember the Future: Artists Building Solidarity Economy Models at Home” to hear from systems change artists and culture workers about their cooperative and solidarity economy models & practices! We had the pleasure to learn from four of Art.Coop’s Remember the Future Fellows — Artisans Co-op, Acres of Ancestry, MeansTV, and Groupmuse. Check out the Event Recording and Slides.
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10 Times A Rapper Spit Something Lowkey Revolutionary was such a vibe. This event was our first time testing out third-party broadcasting and live performances! Check out our lessons from the event and the soundtrack to it all on our website. Learn More.
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Irresistible Newsletter COMING SOON |
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Toni Cade Bambara said, “As a culture worker who belongs to an oppressed people my job is to make revolution irresistible.” Are you an arts & culture worker or arts & culture lover who knows that we won’t get to the solidarity economy without our artists? NEC’s Arts & Culture Working Group will be launching a new public newsletter soon called “Irresistible.” It will highlight the ways artists are inspiring, resisting, building, and creating the (art) worlds we want, in the now. Sign up and share it with your friends! |
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Next week, NEC staff will be getting ready for our annual staff and board retreat, and this year we’re visiting Durham, North Carolina! Many of us will be slow to respond, and all of us will be completely out of the office on Monday, April 14th. You can still send your inquiries to info@neweconomy.net, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. The Black Solidarity Economy Fund Working Group had a ball in Durham last year so we’re all headed back to this powerful union town and historic Indigenous trading path to collaborate on renewing NEC’s 5-year direction and deepening our relationships. We also have a treat for members in the area!Follow us on Instagram @neweconomycoalition to get our retreat recap or keep an eye out for it in the next New Economy Roundup! |
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P.S. Organizations can get full access to New Economy Coalition events, funds, and informational resources by becoming a member! Fill out the membership inquiry form here. That’s all for now! Sending everyone deep care — thank you for being here with us. In solidarity, The NEC Staff Team |