Flint Rising is a Michigan-based advocacy group that is fiscally sponsored by Tides Advocacy. 12 It was founded in 2016 to advocate against city leadership it claims caused the mismanagement of public water utilities in Flint, Michigan. The group focuses on environmental issues and has previously advocated against the development of nuclear energy. 3
Flint Rising began its activism work by canvassing several communities and neighborhoods within Flint, Michigan following a crisis with the city’s municipal water supply. The group labeled itself the “coalition hub” during the water crisis, but its quick rise and coalition led to local and out-of-town organizations calling it a “local steering committee.” Involvement of these outside groups was often not mentioned to residents during public organizing meetings. Flint Rising received funding and reorganized to expand itself, claiming that the water crisis was an opportunity for increasing “people power” and activism. 4
Environmental Issues
Flint Water Crisis
In 2013, the government of Flint, Michigan decided to stop piping treated water from Detroit and instead switch to water from the Flint River. Residents argued of discolored and foul-smelling water as a result of the change. In 2016, a coalition of residents and advocacy groups, including Concerned Pastors for Social Action, Natural Resources Defense Council, and the ACLU of Michigan, sued the city and state officials over mismanagement. 2
Flint Rising’s demands include “complete and holistic healthcare and educational services for children, adults & seniors impacted by the water. For life.” 5 As of July 2024, court-ordered deadlines have yet to be met including identifying and replacing lead and galvanized-steel service pipes. 2
Opposition to Nuclear Energy
In December 2021, Flint Rising was one of over 100 groups that co-signed an open letter opposing the nuclear power production tax credits offered in H.R. 5376, the House of Representatives proposal for the Build Back Better Act. The groups identified nuclear power as a one of several “unproven and unnecessary technologies” and “harmful energy sources” that “would extend demand for fossil fuels.” 3
Funding
Flint Rising is fiscally sponsored by Tides Advocacy. Tides Advocacy, affiliated with the Tides Network, functions in a parallel manner to the Tides Foundation and Tides Center in that it provides fiscal sponsorship and pass-through funding to left-of-center projects. In 2022, Tides Advocacy reported $89,227,147 in revenues and $51,047,001 in assets. That same year, Tides Advocacy received $23,947,460 from the Tides Foundation, and $18,208,110 from the Tides Center. 6
People
Nayyirah Shariff is the director of Flint Rising. Shariff was a co-founder of the Flint Democracy Defense League, and was previously featured on Democracy Now! and Al-Jazeera. 7
For the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition project, aimed at addressing discrimination against people with convictions, enhancing successful reentry, reducing recidivism, and increasing public safety
To support the social welfare activities of Advance Native Political Leadership Action Fund, a project of the grantee that seeks to address the vast disparity and unique barriers that exist for Indigenous peoples in U.S. politics and civic life
