TRF and Maxwell School Launch Strategic Alliance to Strengthen Global Democracy

The Reynolds Foundation (TRF) has entered into a new strategic partnership with the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University to support the creation of a global map of democracy and to build bridges between philanthropy and those working on the front lines to defend freedom worldwide.

The initiative, led by Professor Tina Nabatchi and the Program for the Advancement of Research on Conflict and Collaboration (PARCC), will map the global democracy movement, connecting individuals and organizations on the ground with those able to provide resources and support. The project, titled “On the Front Lines of Democracy: (Re)Shaping the Ecosystem of Freedom and Philanthropy”, is designed to generate both insight and actionable strategies to reinforce democratic resilience globally.

“With 72% of the global population now living under authoritarian rule, the erosion of democracy is not a distant concern but an urgent global emergency,” said Dr. Álvaro Salas-Castro, President and CEO of TRF. “This project shines a light on why democracy and freedom remain underfunded and creates practical ways to bridge that gap. It embodies our mission to defend freedom by investing in people, projects, and partnerships that generate lasting impact.”

For TRF, this collaboration represents much more than financial support—it is a strategic alliance.

“This initiative embodies the kind of bold, systems-level thinking we urgently need,” added Maximilien Reynolds, Director of Projects at TRF. “By connecting those on the front lines with meaningful resources, this project transforms research into strategy, and strategy into real-world impact.”

Maxwell School Dean David M. Van Slyke emphasized the importance of the partnership:

“There are few things more important in the world—or more central to Maxwell’s mission—than the preservation and promotion of democracy. This partnership with The Reynolds Foundation will allow us to expand the reach and impact of those investing in the foundations of democracy worldwide.”

This initiative also reflects TRF’s longstanding commitment to building ecosystems rather than one-off interventions. The Foundation specializes in identifying emerging talent, supporting disruptive projects, and creating platforms for collaboration where philanthropy, academia, and civic leadership converge to foster freedom and opportunity on a global scale.