The Central Valley Foundation has awarded the First Amendment Coalition a $30,000 grant in support of its growing work — and has pledged an additional $10,000 in matching support.
The grant, “in recognition of the First Amendment Coalition’s important work in safeguarding our First Amendment rights,” will support FAC’s efforts defending free speech, the free press, and public participation in civic affairs.
The $10,000 challenge grant ensures that the Central Valley Foundation will match any gift dollar-for-dollar up to $10,000 through May 2020.
Help FAC meet this matching challenge by donating now — you can do so here.
You can also mail a check made out to the First Amendment Coalition to 534 Fourth Street, Suite B, San Rafael, CA 94901.
The Foundation, a long-time FAC supporter, increased its support this year at a pivotal time, when FAC is expanding its programs to meet unprecedented threats to the First Amendment and the public’s right to know.
“FAC’s leadership is critical in safeguarding these freedoms, which are so essential to our democracy,” said Central Valley Foundation CEO Priscilla Enriquez.
The grant supports FAC’s general mission and program work, which includes strategic litigation, a free Legal Hotline, public education programs, and more.
“FAC is so grateful to the Central Valley Foundation for this generous gift,” said FAC Executive Director David Snyder. “This grant will allow us to continue and expand our fight for speech and press freedoms, public access to government records and meetings, and civic engagement.”
FAC’s recent groundbreaking work includes its efforts in defense of freelance journalist Bryan Carmody, who was raided by San Francisco police in violation of California’s journalist shield law. FAC also spearheaded a legal battle to enforce California Senate Bill 1421, the state’s landmark police transparency law, and is suing the U.S. Department of Justice for access to records about its collection of journalist phone and email records.