From the rising danger of cyberattacks to the increasingly assertive actions of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the United States faces complex, coordinated and urgent national security challenges. While these concerns are not new, their scale and sophistication now demand a response that is strategic, cohesive and long-term in scope.
With these mounting risks in mind, Philanthropy Roundtable recently hosted a discussion featuring two of the nation’s foremost national security experts to explore the critical role philanthropy can play in effectively responding to these threats.
The event featured Fred Fleitz, vice chair of the America First Policy Institute’s Center for American Security, and Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery (ret.), senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and executive director of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission 2.0. Fleitz was chief of staff to President Trump’s National Security Council in 2018 after more than two decades in U.S. national security roles. Montgomery served in the U.S. Navy for more than three decades, including as commander of Carrier Strike Group 5 and director of operations at U.S. Pacific Command.
Drawing on their decades of experience in defense, intelligence and cyber strategy, the speakers painted a clear picture of the dangers posed by the CCP, whose tactics include economic espionage, information warfare and the strategic use of U.S. openness to undermine American influence from within. While these concerns are not new, Fleitz and Montgomery agreed their scale and sophistication today demand a response that is strategic, cohesive and long-term in scope.
Rather than relying on direct military confrontation, the speakers each said the CCP’s goal is systemic dominance through the erosion of U.S. credibility, the weakening of alliances and the persistent theft of intellectual property. Meanwhile, cyberattacks targeting American infrastructure, such as utilities, transportation systems and government databases, are mounting in frequency and severity, revealing major vulnerabilities that haven’t been adequately addressed. Recently, two Chinese researchers were arrested for smuggling a toxic fungus into the United States, posing a threat to our agriculture and underscoring the range and audacity of threats posed by the CCP’s broader strategy.
Fleitz and Montgomery each said a resilient national security position goes beyond military investment and should include strengthening cyber defenses, modernizing institutions and fostering a culture that understands and supports strategic deterrence.
Despite years of warnings, they noted many public and private cybersecurity systems remain under-resourced and fragmented, with inconsistent standards and a persistent shortage of qualified professionals. These weaknesses aren’t confined to Washington, but span basic infrastructure to telecom and beyond, affecting every sector from education and health care to small businesses and local government.
The Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation, led by Montgomery, recently issued a comprehensive set of recommendations to Congress, many of which have already informed federal policy. But implementation remains inconsistent, and according to Montgomery, there is an acute need for sustained support, especially from the private and philanthropic sectors. More effective laws coupled with better coordination, stronger talent pipelines and long-term commitments to building the country’s cyber readiness are critical to closing these gaps.
This is where philanthropy can make a meaningful and immediate difference. Philanthropic investment can support:
- Research and policy development in national security and cyber readiness
- Education and training to grow the next generation of cybersecurity and foreign policy professionals
- Strategic initiatives to reshore critical supply chains and protect sensitive U.S. technologies
- Programs that enhance public understanding of threats and promote civic resilience
- Programs at the high school and college level
Rather than defaulting to government-led programs and initiatives, Fleitz and Montgomery encouraged donors to take an active role shaping America’s national security future. This includes funding nonpartisan think tanks, supporting K–12 and higher education programs in technology and ethics and fostering initiatives that strengthen the country’s long-term strategic posture.
Ultimately, as the global landscape grows more complex, securing America’s future not only depends on military might, but on the strength of its civic institutions, talent base and commitment to the values that define it. Because true strength isn’t just about force, but the foresight, unity and shared understanding of what makes this country worth protecting.
