February 5, 2026 | By: Emily Drake
As we end our first month of 2026 and move further into a new year, we find ourselves facing more heaviness than we had hoped. The challenges facing our country and our communities are not abstract or distant; they are intensifying, immediate, and demanding more of all of us. Last year began in turbulence—tectonic shifts at the federal level created sudden funding cliffs, communities faced renewed assaults, and many organizations across the social sector were unsure how to respond. This year we face a different kind of turbulence, but one that we bring determination, focus, and resolve to.
And yet, even in this sobering reality, the momentum for justice and meaningful change remains alive.
Looking ahead, our work in 2026 is driven by a simple, urgent belief: communities deserve safety, dignity, and justice—and they deserve them now. We are directing our expertise and energy toward engagements that not only reflect this belief, but actively advance it. We are doubling down on elevating community voice, supporting a more pluralistic and thriving democracy, and standing firmly with partners who are confronting harm and inequity in real time.
Below are three areas of work we’re especially energized to champion this year.
Transforming Systems and Structures
For decades, LFA has partnered with clients working toward long-term systems change—efforts that examine and shift the policies, practices, and power dynamics shaping outcomes for equity and resilience. This work strengthens the foundations of our society and helps build a more just future. As we continue on this path, we remain grounded in the long horizon and honored to accompany clients committed to the deep transformation of systems.
Lifting Up Community Voices
Social movements across the country remind us, daily, of the power of community self‑determination. The clearest way to understand what works on the ground is to ask the people who are living it—and to ensure their leadership is embedded from the beginning. For more than twenty years, we have integrated participatory methods into our evaluation, strategy, and needs assessment work, and in 2026, that commitment only grows stronger. Community voice is not just an approach; it is a necessity for achieving equitable outcomes.
Supporting a Pluralistic Democracy
A healthy democracy requires diverse voices, distributed power, and the freedom for ideas to flourish. As anti‑immigrant rhetoric and enforcement escalate, supporting a pluralistic democracy means defending the freedoms of those targeted and amplifying the voices that dominant systems attempt to silence. We are committed to supporting organizations that build bridges, strengthen coalitions, and uphold the conditions communities need to thrive—not just survive. We will look for engagements with clients who elevate diverse voices, champion decentralized instead of monopolized power, and believe in self-determination for communities.
This year is not about optimism for its own sake — it is about standing firm in the face of injustice and choosing action over resignation. We are here, ready to partner with those who are organizing, resisting, building, and imagining better futures — especially in communities where safety and dignity are under threat.
Arundhati Roy reminds us that “Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.”
Another world is on her way, but only because people are pushing for her with courage and persistence. We’re here for that fight, alongside all who are doing the work. In 2026, we are bringing our expertise, our partnership, and our joy to the movements and organizations working every day to make that world real. As you think about what’s next for your work, we look forward to connecting. Reach out at CEOs@LearningForAction.com.