As the United States confronts the limits of its own divisions, it can feel as though blame has replaced problem-solving in nearly every area of public life. That perception has led to public trust in just about every major institution — from government to media, religious institutions, and nonprofits — reaching historic lows.
But Americans are tired of division — and new research confirms that. A national survey by the Council on Foundations and Hattaway Communications found that nearly nine in ten Americans (89%) support working across differences, and 80% believe charitable foundations should play an important role in that collaboration.
In a moment when polarization dominates headlines, Americans still believe in the power of working together. The large majority of survey respondents agreed with the statement: “To make a difference in the world, you need to be able to work with people you disagree with.” The survey shows they believe every sector has a role to play — starting with government, but extending to businesses, faith groups and philanthropy.
The hope people expressed in these findings already has a home in the charitable sector. Whether it’s the local church feeding neighbors during an economic downturn, or the local YMCA providing emergency child care for first responders during the pandemic, foundations and nonprofits are a steadying force that show up in our darkest times, tapping into the strengths in our differences.
Across the country, charitable foundations are providing the resources and support necessary to not only help local nonprofits support job creation, small-business recovery, and affordable housing — but also provide a critical model for supporting the dialogue, participation and collaboration that healthy societies depend on.
Consider Lilly Endowment’s $22.4 million grant to support Weave, a program of the Aspen Institute founded by former editor and columnist David Brooks. Weave was created to address one of America’s deepest challenges: a breakdown of trust and belonging.
By connecting 75 community-based organizations and thousands of local leaders, Weave helps towns across the country rediscover what it means to live and work together. Its “weavers” aren’t political figures — they’re the neighbors, teachers, faith leaders and small business owners building stronger communities one relationship at a time. As Chairman and CEO N. Clay Robbins put it, “Time and time again, we have seen that neighbors working together to address an important local need can heal fractures and correct misunderstandings in a community.”
The same spirit is visible in Park City, Utah, where the Park City Community Foundation’s Early Childhood Alliance helped unite city officials, county leaders and nonprofits to confront one of the most pressing challenges for working families: the rising cost of child care. In a community known for its high cost of living, families were struggling to balance car payments, mortgages and child care fees that rivaled rent. The foundation partnered with the City of Park City, Summit County and the nonprofit Upwards to launch a needs-based child care scholarship program — ensuring that 100% of public funding for tuition assistance goes directly to families.
For many parents, the support was life-changing. For local employers, it stabilized the workforce — city employees even receive child care stipends as a benefit. What began as a local experiment has now generated a $4.5 million economic impact and drawn national attention as a model for other communities.
By supporting this critical work, charitable foundations and generous donors offer more than relief — they offer a model for how our nation can begin to move forward, one act of generosity at a time. During this season, let this remind us that generosity has always been one of our nation’s most powerful problem-solving tools.
Kathleen Enright is the president and CEO of the Council on Foundations.