Investing in the Movements We Power: A Letter from MAP’s Naomi Goldberg
Dear Friend of MAP,
With Pride Month underway, I’m thrilled to share some of the latest work from the Movement Advancement Project.
It has been a busy time — we’ve added new members to our board, welcomed new staff, and released a brief about 2024 election trends, an employee resource group guidebook for employers, and an inclusion and belonging playbook featured in an op-ed in Newsweek.
By all accounts, it has been a successful 90 days as executive director, but my primary objective has been dedicating a considerable amount of time to listening — to our staff and board, to leaders in the movements we power, and to MAP supporters. In these conversations I’ve consistently heard a few things:
- Appreciation for MAP’s brilliant staff who are generous with their time, sharing their expertise in coalitions, in 1-on-1 meetings, and with policymakers.
- How MAP’s work powers movements in big and small ways — our Democracy Maps are helping funders make the urgent case for work ensuring democracy thrives; our communications tools empower LGBTQ advocates in the states to have persuasive conversations; and our Open to All program creates spaces for industry leaders to wrestle with DEI efforts during this fraught moment.
- The consensus that MAP’s theory of change is needed now more than ever. We believe in listening deeply, having hard conversations, and building understanding.
As I look ahead to the rest of 2024 and beyond, I am excited for the ways MAP can continue our work, build on our core strengths, and work collaboratively to create positive change in the world.
I know that an investment in MAP is an investment in the movements we power, which is why I’m taking the following steps:
- Investing in our staff. We’ve had two new staff join MAP in the past few months, including a new full-time communications director and a new director of programs and communications for our Open to All program. We’ve promoted multiple staff across several program areas, and we have plans for more growth later this year.
- Refining and articulating the how and why of our work. We at MAP are clear about the work we do, why we do it, and how we work collaboratively to have an impact. We’re expanding these discussions internally and being more explicit about our work with our partners and funders.
- Prioritizing rest and reflection. People are often surprised by what a small staff we have at MAP. Our team is efficient and effective — and we work hard. We’re continuing to have conversations about ways to recognize the seasonality — the ebb and flow — of the work and how that differs across our teams and how to build in rest and reflection.
Thank you for your continued support of our team, our work, and our mission to speed equality and opportunity for all.
Naomi Goldberg
Executive Director, MAP
To learn more about MAP and stay connected, visit our site at mapresearch.org — and please consider supporting our organization with a gift.
