The Reynolds Foundation and Columbia University Announce Strategic Partnership to Strengthen Democratic Resilience and Global Leadership

The Reynolds Foundation is proud to announce a new strategic partnership with Columbia University aimed at advancing democratic resilience, cross-partisan engagement, and the development of the next generation of global leaders.

Through this collaboration, the Reynolds Foundation will support initiatives across Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), the Columbia Journalism School, and Columbia Global. Together, these programs will combine world-class academic excellence with the urgent work of strengthening democracy worldwide.

At SIPA, the Foundation’s support will bolster the Institute of Global Politics (IGP), including its American Democracy Initiative, which convenes faculty, scholars, and practitioners to generate innovative ideas for strengthening democratic institutions and dialogue across divides.

At the Columbia Journalism School, the partnership will expand opportunities for investigative and data journalists in Latin America through the creation of the Reynolds Journalism Fellows of Latin America. This initiative will provide intensive training in investigative reporting and data journalism, strengthening accountability and freedom of the press in the region.

Through Columbia Global, the Reynolds Foundation is also supporting leadership development programs such as the Obama Foundation Scholars Program, which equips emerging leaders from around the world to advance democracy, governance, human rights, climate justice, education, and more.

Speaking about the partnership, Álvaro Salas Castro, President of the Reynolds Foundation, highlighted the Foundation’s vision:

“At the Reynolds Foundation, we see education and open societies as the bedrock of freedom. Our mission is to invest in people and ideas that transcend borders—future leaders, courageous journalists, and engaged citizens. Partnering with Columbia allows us to combine world-class academic excellence with the urgent work of strengthening democracy worldwide.”

Max Reynolds, Director of Projects at the Reynolds Foundation, emphasized the long-term scope of the collaboration:

“Through this partnership with Columbia, we are building a portfolio of initiatives that connect research, leadership, and impact on the ground. From democratic resilience at SIPA to investigative journalism in Latin America, these programs embody our commitment to long-term investment in freedom and democracy worldwide.”

This partnership underscores the Reynolds Foundation’s core mission: to defend and expand the conditions for sustainable freedom by investing in people, projects, and partnerships that drive lasting change.