FICS’ vision is a world where people, communities, and movements who advance democracy, human rights, social and economic justice, and environmental protection are equipped with the resources they need to expand civic space. FICS originated in 2016 as a donor affinity group, launched by funders working on civic space. We began as a place for funders working on civic space to connect and learn from each other.
Arial view of ‘Anti-Trump’ protest in sand at Ocean Beach, San Francisco (Source: Tim Gouw)
Following the publication of our landmark report Rethinking Civic Space in 2020, FICS transitioned from being a donor affinity group to a think tank, convener and incubator.
FICS is now a locus for expert analysis, collaboration, and strategic grant-making to support innovation in the field – with a small staff team supported by a global network of advocates, futures-thinkers, and academics.
FICS is governed by an international Advisory Group of movement leaders and policy experts, and is fiscally sponsored by Global Dialogue.