Behind the Scenes: Notes from the Executive Director’s Desk
Holding the Line — and Building Forward: ERC’s 2025–2028 Strategic Plan
By: Kate Scott
October 23, 2025
The landscape for civil rights has grown darker over the last year — not only because discrimination is persisting, but because the systems designed to fight it are under direct attack.
Across the country, the work of protecting civil rights is at a crossroads. Legal protections that once served as the foundation of our work are being undermined, enforcement mechanisms are under attack, and the organizations leading this work are being asked to do more — with less — in an increasingly hostile environment.
The Equal Rights Center is not immune to these pressures. Like many civil rights organizations, we are navigating limited resources, rising demand, and shifting social and political terrain. But we are not standing still.
Our new 2025–2028 Strategic Plan is both a response to the moment and a statement of resolve. It is how we will remain effective, resilient, and courageous in an era that demands all three.
Why This Plan Matters Now
A strategic plan, at its best, is a lifeline — a way to stay focused when conditions worsen, to make deliberate choices when resources are thin, and to keep sight of the mission when urgency tempts distraction.
Our newly adopted strategic plan is the guide we’ll use to protect what’s essential, rebuild what’s been weakened, and prepare for the long fight ahead.
For ERC, this plan means:
- Protecting the infrastructure of fair housing, disability rights, and equal access that underpins opportunity in this country.
- Positioning ERC as a trusted, data-driven leader in testing and advocacy — ensuring that facts and evidence continue to cut through misinformation.
- Strengthening our internal systems and sustainability so we can continue fighting discrimination for decades to come.
Our Goals for 2025–2028
The plan centers six key goals that reflect both the urgency of the present and the vision for a stronger future:
- Expand ERC’s reach to further our mission of ending discrimination.
- Position ERC as an innovative and trusted source for testing programs and advocacy.
- Enhance organizational efficiency and effectiveness to support ERC’s mission.
- Pursue innovative measures to enhance the impact and outcomes of complaint-based and systemic work.
- Nurture a high-performing, values-driven organization rooted in equity and care.
- Build organizational resilience and strategic resources for long-term sustainability.
Each of these goals represents not just an aspiration, but a necessity — a commitment to ensure ERC can continue to do the work that others depend on.
Looking Ahead
This is a time for clarity, courage, and community. The 2025–2028 Strategic Plan is our map through uncertainty — a living framework that will help ERC and our partners hold the line for civil rights while building the next chapter of progress.
We invite you to stand with us. The fight for meaningful civil rights protections endures because we endure — together.
