Hewlett Foundation blog: When communities lead, trust grows

Our funding member Hewlett Foundation featured the Trust for Civic Life on its blog, highlighting work of our Civic Hub grantees. From the article:

“The Trust for Civic Life focuses on rural America — a place one in five Americans call home — with a focus on the Black Belt, Central Appalachia, Tribal Lands, and the Southwest Border. These are regions that philanthropy has often overlooked and underestimated.

“Rural regions may look resource-scarce, but they have something many places don’t: high levels of social trust,” said Charlie Brown, Executive Director of the Trust for Civic Life. “Americans living in rural communities know how to do a lot with a little, and that means relying on each other across differences. When the power goes out, you’re going to knock on your neighbor’s door even if you disagree about politics, and they’re going to help you.”

At the center of the Trust for Civic Life’s work are civic hubs — local organizations that bring residents together around shared priorities, create opportunities for people to get involved, and provide resources to help community efforts succeed. The organization has invested in 46 civic hubs, including community foundations, arts organizations, and development corporations, with another $8M in new total new grants awarded to 20-25 civic hubs in July 2026. It also directs about one-fifth of its funding to small grants for everyday activities that strengthen civic life such as library programs, block parties, and public gardens.”