Columbia University Announces Strategic Partnership with the Reynolds Foundation to Strengthen Democratic Resilience, Global Leadership, and Cross-Partisan Engagement
Columbia University today announced a new strategic partnership with the Reynolds Foundation to advance innovative programs across the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), the Columbia Journalism School, and Columbia Global. The collaboration reflects a shared vision for democratic resilience, cross-partisan engagement, and the development of the next generation of global leaders.
At SIPA, the Reynolds Foundation’s support will bolster initiatives in the Institute of Global Politics (IGP), including programming dedicated to democratic resilience and fostering dialogue across political and ideological divides.
Among these new efforts is IGP’s American Democracy Initiative, which will convene SIPA faculty, leading scholars, and practitioners to generate ideas on how to strengthen American democracy at a moment of tremendous challenges to democratic norms and institutions.
The investment also enhances financial aid and student support, ensuring that the most talented students from around the world can pursue their studies regardless of financial circumstances.
“This partnership represents the best of what universities and foundations can accomplish together,” said Keren Yarhi-Milo, Dean of Columbia SIPA. “The Reynolds Foundation’s support allows us not only to expand the reach of our teaching and research but also to strengthen our commitment to preparing students to lead with integrity in a complex and fractured world.”
“At the Reynolds Foundation, we see education and open societies as the bedrock of freedom,” said Álvaro Salas Castro, President of the Reynolds Foundation. “Our vision is to invest in people and ideas that transcend borders—future leaders, courageous journalists, and engaged citizens. Partnering with Columbia allows us to combine world-class academic excellence with the urgent work of strengthening democracy worldwide. Together, we are not only supporting institutions, but empowering a generation to shape a freer, more resilient future.”
“The Reynolds Foundation’s generous gift to support the Obama Foundation Scholars Program at Columbia Global is an expression of the Foundation’s commitment to supporting young leaders from around the world to position them to further their aspirations.” said Wafaa El-Sadr, Executive Vice President of Columbia Global. “This commitment aligns with the mission of the Program, which invests in leaders on the front lines of civic engagement and democracy building.”
Since 2018, the Obama Scholars Program at Columbia has supported 82 scholars from 67 countries—emerging and mid-career leaders working to strengthen democracy, governance, human rights, climate justice, health, education, and more. The program’s diverse, global cohort creates a collaborative environment where leaders with academic credentials and lived experience learn from one another. Through a rigorous, full academic-year residency that combines self-directed coursework, applied learning, and mentorship, scholars return to their communities with deeper expertise, stronger networks, and greater resilience.
The Reynolds Foundation also made a significant commitment to Columbia Journalism School to support the creation of the Reynolds Journalism Fellows of Latin America. In its first year, it brought 11 reporters from Latin America to Columbia’s campus for intensive professional education programs in investigative reporting and data journalism, strengthening accountability in the region.
“This strategic partnership with the Reynolds Foundation strengthens journalism’s essential role in democratic societies,” said Jelani Cobb, Dean and Henry R. Luce Professor of Journalism. “By empowering investigative and data journalists across Latin America, we are not only preparing them to report in the public interest, but to further press freedom.”
“Through this partnership with Columbia, we are building a portfolio of initiatives that connect research, leadership, and impact on the ground,” said Max Reynolds, Director of Projects at the Reynolds Foundation.“From democratic resilience at SIPA to investigative journalism in Latin America, these programs embody our commitment to long-term investment in freedom and democracy worldwide.”