Matthew Kennis

@SeaIF @Adriana_SeaIF @Eric_Latam I’m thrilled to join @SeaIF! I started my career assisting civil society to advance justice & accountability in Guatemala, and I'm excited to champion human rights, democracy, and equality in Central America today. SIF is a powerful convener, connector, and partner.

We are excited to announce that Matthew Kennis has joined Seattle International Foundation as our Director of Development & Strategic Partnerships! Matthew brings over 20 years of experience in fundraising, human rights, and international development, with deep roots in Central America. Most recently he co-led a consulting practice advising human rights NGOs on fundraising and strategy and previously held senior roles at Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. Matt will lead our development strategy, build our individual and corporate giving programs, strengthen our foundation partnerships, and help shape key SIF initiatives like the Central America Donors Forum. Join us in welcoming Matt to the SIF Team, and check out our new website to learn more about our work across Central America and ways to get involved. 🌐 Visit our new website: seaif.org #TeamGrowth #HumanRights #Democracy #Equality #CentralAmerica

Join us on Thursday November 4 at 11 am EST to discuss investigating the police in Latin America osf.to/3nwVOc1 via @OpenSociety The event is in English, Spanish and Portuguese with @INDECOM_JAMAICA @CentroProdh @idmjracial #ManakaInfante Thanks @adgarcia22 @AramBarra

Great achievement by the @IRCT membership. Strong commitment of quality support to @torture survivors and clear expectations of engagement and support from everyone we work with to create a #WorldWithoutTorture @NilsMelzer @LeckerC @DKUNmisgva @apt_geneva @omctorg @REDRESSTrust

Azimjan Askarov fought for the rights of others, and for his 10 years in prison insisted on his innocence. We remember Azimjan and other victims of 2010 ethnic violence in Kyrgyzstan and state abuses that followed. RIP. Our statement osf.to/2Db00KE via @OpenSociety

Foundations and other supporters of the Sustained Collaboration Network have committed more than $20 million in grants so far to help nonprofits figure out new ways to work together. bit.ly/3eACZyU

I wrote this piece a few years ago. There should be an independent investigation each time police kill or injure someone: huffpost.com/entry/create-i…

“Your underinvestment in advocacy and community organizing for years has amplified the inequity of the current moment. Do not make the same mistake again. Now is the time to significantly increase funding for systems change, not cut down on it.” nonprofitaf.com/2020/05/funder…

Deep Breadth continues to offer Probono Consulting for Nonprofit Leaders. We are focused on providing Emergency Mission Reviews (EMRs) to assist orgs to weather and adjust to the crisis and prepared to transform and thrive in the years beyond. Contact db@deepbreadth.co.

On February 25th, NISGUA accompanied survivor organizations on the National Day of Dignification for Victims of the IAC. We gathered this footage as tribute to the wisdom survivors have shared with us, and in commemoration of those killed by state violence @AJRIximulew

El Salvador’s Millennial President Promised New Era. Then Came the Crackdown. nytimes.com/2020/05/05/wor…

@NonprofitAF One thing I think that people don't understand is that nonprofits spend months (up to a year sometimes) pursuing these grants. What funders are doing is cancelling all these 'pipeline' grants that did not have final signatures yet. NPOs sink 100s of hours into proposal dev. 1/2

Informed by the #StoppingAsSuccess learning project between @peacedirect @cdalearning and @SFCG_, our latest blog shares 4️⃣ key lessons that INGOs should apply to ensure safe aid transitions both during and after #COVID19. bit.ly/2W1wg99

Excited to support @SongsforGood in a first-of-its-kind songwriting competition to create a new soundtrack for democracy. Orgs like March For Our Lives, ZeroHour, RepresentUs, National Children's Campaign will use top rated songs to amplify our power. Submissions through June 30!

The US Government must urgently use readily available alternatives to detention for #migrants held in overcrowded and unsanitary administrative centres to counter the risk of a #COVID19 outbreak – @UNSR_Migration 👉 ow.ly/eiEU50zpbrD

📢NEW! 50+ #HumanRights & #Democracy groups launch #Covid19 resource centre to guide response to crisis and inform on how our common rights & freedoms are impacted by the pandemic. Public health and respect for human rights go together. #TheWorkGoesOn bit.ly/2KF79Uk

More than half of the environmental activist murders in 2018 happened in Latin America, with many afro-descendant & indigenous leaders affected in particular (@Global_Witness). In honor of #EarthDay2020, we reflect on leaders who have been killed for protecting our Earth 🌎

LAWG is proud to join 125 legal, faith-based, humanitarian, human rights & community orgs calling on @DHSgov to halt expulsions of asylum seekers & unaccompanied kids. This policy is not about public health–it’s another attempt to close the border to those seeking protection.

Just got asked for my opinion on the future of philanthropy. Listen, there won’t be a future for anyone if we don’t all take bold actions. Foundations and DAFs need to light a 🔥 under their assets and give out significantly more funds and be willing to engage with politics

With my colleague and friend @NatashaArnpr we looked into litigation strategies to protect those in detention from COVID-19. INSIGHT: Five Ways Attorneys Are Protecting Human Rights of the Incarcerated news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/in…