Our Mission

Our Mission is to strengthen grassroots movements to resist oppression and build towards a more equitable future. We believe that this moment calls for resistance. We must actively challenge the authoritarian threat posed by extremists, and invest in long-term, transformative change.

Core Principles

Resistance

Resistance in the face of hate and injustice is a moral obligation. Inaction is complicity.

Community Leadership

Movements for change are most effective when led by members of the affected communities.

 

Transformative, Anti-Capitalist Solutions

Dismantling oppressive systems requires bold solutions that address root causes. Justice and sustainability are possible when we transition from a capitalist economy based on extraction to a regenerative economy based on solidarity.

 

Intersectionality

The movement for social change must be a movement that is multi-racial, cross-class, cross-sectoral, feminist, anti-racist, and inclusive of the queer and trans community. Structural racism, especially anti-Black racism, intersects with all forms of injustice.

 

Our Work

Grantmaking

Arch Community Fund makes grants to support transformative organizing for systemic change. Arch does not prioritize specific issues in its grantmaking, but rather seeks to fund community-led organizing that is visionary, intersectional and focused on building power. Our grants provide general operating support for small, grassroots organizations, including fiscally sponsored projects. We are not currently making grants to alliances, networks or coalitions.

Investment Approach

We consider the totality of Arch’s assets, not just grant making dollars, through a lens of social impact. We will prioritize investments that shift control of and access to resources over those that maximize return and accumulation of foundation assets. We have developed an investment policy statement that aligns with our mission.

Who We Are

Arch Community Fund launched in 2017 in response to the alarming rise of overt racism, xenophobia, homophobia, misogyny, religious intolerance, and corporate dominance in the United States. With family members who narrowly escaped the Holocaust and went on to benefit from opportunities in the United States, the founders of the Arch Community Fund felt compelled to invest in efforts to challenge the rise of intolerance and fascism and help build a more equitable society. We are especially concerned with the rise of hateful ideologies of white nationalism in the current political climate.

Alan Preston

Fund Founder / Trustee

Currently, Alan is a Seattle-based coach and consultant who works with nonprofit leaders and donors to grow their power to advance social justice. Alan has over 25 years experience in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors, and is an experienced DEI trainer and facilitator. Alan has also been an organizer for state and national tax fairness campaigns.

Leslie Preston

Fund Founder

A lifelong social worker, Leslie spent two decades championing the mental health needs of low-income immigrant communities at La Clinica de la Raza in Oakland, CA. Forming Arch Community Fund was a top priority for her before her untimely passing in 2018.

Dean Preston

Fund Founder / Trustee

Dean is an attorney and activist at the forefront of the struggle for housing justice. He is the founder of California’s only statewide organization for renters’ rights; and championed the nation’s first universal right to counsel law for tenants facing eviction. Currently, Dean is an elected member of the San Francisco board of supervisors.

Cynthia Renfro

Consulting Director

Cynthia is Arch’s Consulting Director. Based in Seattle, she has 25 years experience in philanthropy, currently as principal & CEO at Civis Consulting LLC, supporting social justice grant making and community-based organizations. Prior to Civis, she was director of programs and evaluation at the Marguerite Casey Foundation, director of programs at the Turner Foundation, and program officer for the Beldon Fund.

Beth Rosales

Internal Strategic Advisor

Arch Community Fund greatly appreciates the generous assistance of retired philanthropic consultant Beth Rosales in helping to launch and guide this fund. Beth has over 30 years experience in progressive philanthropy. Beth continues to serve as Internal Strategic Advisor to Arch.

Connect With Us

We welcome questions, comments, or suggestions. Thank you for your interest in Arch Community Fund.
You may also email us directly at cynthia@archcommunityfund.org.