Civic life is a cornerstone of the American experience
A healthy democracy is more
than politics
Vibrant civic life leads Americans to believe that a better future is possible and their participation helped create it. When greater investments go into improving the civic opportunities within a local community, the results are clear: America has economies that are built for the future, local culture where everyone belongs, and a stronger, more resilient democracy.
Our three core activities — grantmaking, networking, and learning — are all informed and created with the expertise and insights of the local communities and leaders that are closest to the work. Because of them, we are able to discover local funding opportunities, facilitate philanthropic investments, and learn what it takes for civic life to thrive from the ground up.
Linking national philanthropy to rural regions
The Trust invests in regions that are full of opportunities for impact, but are often overlooked by national philanthropy. These areas are historically underserved, experiencing persistent poverty or rapid economic or demographic transition. Within these communities are resourceful groups and individuals eager to respond to local challenges with creative solutions and a vision for change.
We focus our grantmaking on the Black Belt, Central Appalachia, Tribal Lands, Southwest Border, and communities in transition in the rural U.S.
Our priority regions
The Black Belt
The rich cultural heritage of the Black Belt region serves as a unifying force, inspiring creativity and innovation among its residents as they navigate the enduring effects of its plantation history.
The region has fostered resilience, a shared sense of identity, and a spirit of creativity within its communities, driving people to innovate in order to support one another.
Throughout the region, many residents are unable to easily access the basics such as food, affordable housing and even public schools. Community groups like the Trust grantees are answering with entrepreneurial ideas like building new farms and food ecosystems in food deserts. They are investing in the next generation of leaders, and prioritizing youth empowerment by providing opportunities for skill-building and leadership development. Together, Black Belt communities are creating a brighter future by engaging people in community projects and through agriculture, arts, and childcare.
Central Appalachia
In Central Appalachia, mistrust has compounded over many generations. There is little desire to work with outside institutions following a long history of natural resource extraction and subsequent coal mine closures, and outside efforts to improve the region are often looked at with skepticism.
The way to build trust in this region is from within, through those who have lived experience in the area and can relate to the realities of the community.
The Trust’s grantees are part of a growing and coordinated set of local organizations out to strengthen trust and build local agency. Because they are embedded and trusted community members, they are the right source to direct philanthropy and private capital into the places and projects most needed by the region. Trust grantees are helping their communities solve problems of all sizes, from fixing the local boat ramp to fostering a new wave of immigrant entrepreneurship. Through these initiatives, they are demonstrating how locally-led collaboration can lead to greater social trust and meaningful change.
Tribal Lands
There are 574 federally recognized Tribal Nations across the United States, each one with its own distinct governing structure and cultural history. Even if they share the same region, Tribal communities experience vastly different economic realities and varying levels of access to essential services like healthcare.
While contending with generations of systemic inequality and exploitation, Indigenous organizations and sovereign nations are creating innovative partnerships to develop tailored local solutions that address the specific needs of their communities.
Building upon that approach, dynamic organizations – often led by Native leaders – are working within Tribal Nations to promote a "creatorship mindset," encouraging individuals and communities to use their skills, talents, and available resources to create a brighter future. By introducing a new wave of entrepreneurship, volunteerism, and experimental decision-making models, while remaining rooted in Indigenous culture and knowledge, local groups like the Trust’s grantees are improving daily life in Tribal communities.
Southwest Border
From El Centro, California to El Paso, Texas, the Southwest border communities are shaped by many multi-generational, multicultural, economic and civic complexities.
Daily commutes often cross borders or span from rural to urban areas, blurring the boundaries of one’s community. In this region, cross-sector collaboration can be intimidating or cumbersome. It not only involves community leaders, government, and business, but also includes working with state and federal agencies like the United States Border Patrol and state health departments.
Local groups that understand these unique dynamics are critical to building sustainable civic ecosystems. Drawing on their strong local ties and ability to navigate the region’s complexities, the Trust’s Southwest border grantees are working to maintain civic life for longtime community members, while also welcoming and creating new civic life opportunities for migrants and commuters.
Communities in Transition
Across all parts of the country, many American communities are undergoing major economic or demographic transition.
Some are recovering from the loss of a significant employer or resource base, while others are navigating the sudden influx of immigrants or second home owners. Each community is experiencing vastly different circumstances and challenges, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
The need for a local connector like a civic hub is essential in these changing communities. Civic hubs understand how to create locally-led solutions that are tailored to the specific needs and challenges of their community members. Disconnection and division are common byproducts of major change, and civic hubs are responding by introducing new civic opportunities that bring people together across differences and help rebuild a sense of community.