A coalition of major liberal foundations is working undercover to raise at least $250 million to support civil society groups in pushing back against what they view as authoritarian threats from President Trump. The initiative, led by Deepak Bhargava of Freedom Together and supported by John Palfrey of the MacArthur Foundation, aims to fund nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofits that defend democratic institutions, including legal aid groups, activist protection efforts, and independent media. Despite its ambition, the effort, referred to by some insiders as “The Huddle”, is being kept secret to avoid political retaliation from the Trump administration.

This push highlights a key tension in today’s political philanthropy: how to raise large sums of money without drawing unwanted attention. The initiative reflects growing fear among donors about Trump’s intensified attacks on activists, law firms, and media, and concern that their foundations could be targeted by the IRS. Critics within Democratic circles question the strategy of channeling so much tax-exempt funding into efforts that won’t directly support electoral outcomes. However, Bhargava and his team argue that bolstering democratic infrastructure is a vital long-term investment.

The creation of side efforts like the $5 million Courage Project and the secretive Beacon program further reveals the project’s scope, which includes security and legal assistance for activists.