Giving Back

Americans have continued to develop new mechanisms for civic engagement while breathing new life into some time-honored forms of active citizenship. Much of this grassroots democratic activity is sustained or encouraged by private philanthropy.

Websites

Knight Foundation

The Knight Foundation has compiled 18 essays where authors wrote about challenges and opportunities for American democracy and what role philanthropy can play in addressing those challenges.

Everyday Democracy

Everyday Democracy supports organizing across the country by bringing diverse groups of people together, helping them structure and facilitate community dialogue on pressing issues, and training them to use a racial equity lens to understand long standing problems and possible solutions.

Democracy Northwest

Philanthropy has unrealized potential as a critical partner in strengthening our democracy. From mission-driven activities that build democratic citizenship, to more deliberate contributions to civic engagement, community-building and public policy work, to direct investments in democratic reform — philanthropy can more strongly step into its opportunity to shape a healthier, more inclusive democracy.

Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement

Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement (PACE) is a community of funders that invest in democracy and civic life in the United States so that Americans are informed and empowered to contribute to the health and vibrancy of the country’s democratic process.

U.S. Democracy Program

The Hewlett Foundation’s U.S. Democracy Program is a nonpartisan initiative focusing on strengthening democratic norms, values and institutions—especially Congress—in a time of political polarization. It supports nonprofit organizations across the ideological spectrum who seek to understand and improve the political system so that elected representatives are better equipped to solve society’s greatest problems and in turn, earn public trust and support.

Books

Civil Society, Philanthropy, and the Fate of the Commons

Bruce, R. Sievers

Beyond the Money: Reflections on Philanthropy, the Nonprofit Sector and Civic Life

Edward Skloot

Democracy in America

Alexis de Tocqueville

A House Divided

National Issues Forums Institute

Just Giving: Why Philanthropy is Failing Democracy and How it can do Better

Rob Reich

Wealth and Democracy: A Political History of the American Rich

Kevin Phillips

The Citizen Solution: How You Can Make A Difference

Harry C. Boyte

CommonWealth: A Return to Citizen Politics

Harry C. Boyte

Further Resources

Philanthropy Northwest

Learning Life

My Civic Workout

International Association for Public Participation

Nathan Cummings Foundation

The Arsalyn Foundation

Hewlett Foundation

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