Retiring Philanthropy Leader Was Always ‘A Step or Two Ahead of the Pack’

The Libra Foundation and Tao Rising LLC announced today that they are seeking a passionate, relationship-oriented, and values-aligned leader to serve as President. Review the full job description and application details. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 8, 2024 by 5 p.m. PT. Read the full position posting here.

Looking at the injustices that are engulfing marginalized communities, a clear pattern emerges: how deeply gender is woven throughout all of these struggles. Our carceral punishment system, so clearly weighted against people of color, also comes down heavily on women and LGBTQIA+ people.

The Libra Foundation announced today that Executive Director Crystal Hayling will be stepping down in 2024, wrapping up a six-year tenure marked by extraordinary accomplishments, including the founding of the Democracy Frontlines Fund in 2020. This transition will also mark the end of her extraordinary 32-year career in philanthropy.

2020 was a year of momentous and heavy challenges, for us and for our grantee partners. We were caught up in an historic moment, trying to grapple with multiple crises affecting the communities we serve. Racial justice uprisings, COVID, the struggle for democracy. Day to day, we tried to figure out how to support them and hear their concerns. We asked our grantee partners: what more could we do to help alleviate these extra burdens?

If the phrase ‘civil rights’ brings to mind 1960’s black-and-white photos, you, like many Americans, are ignoring the present even as you selectively remember the past.

Grant Makers Join Together to Learn About - and Fund - Racial Justice tells the story of Libra Executive Director Crystal Hayling’s deep roots in the movement for racial justice and creation of the Democracy Frontlines Fund.