Building a shared civic future

The Hewlett Foundation is putting $19 million toward a simple idea: more Americans — including you — should feel at home in civic life. Three organizations are getting this funding to make that happen through storytelling, volunteering, community giving, and trust-building communications.

Three organizations share the $19 million. Be The People (also known as Bigger Picture US) receives $10 million to run a national campaign that uses everyday storytelling and local programs to help people plug into civic life. GivingTuesday receives $4 million to keep connecting people through giving, volunteering, and community service — especially in places that larger philanthropy often misses. Shared America receives $5 million to strengthen community bonds through communications that highlight what Americans share, not just what divides them.

You do not need to wait for a big civic moment to get involved. Each of these organizations offers practical, local ways to act now. Be The People connects you with on-ramps in your own neighborhood. GivingTuesday's network of more than 400 local coalitions makes it easy to give time or resources year-round — not just in November. Shared America's work shows up in the stories your community tells about itself. Start with whichever feels closest to you.

No fixed date

Not location-specific

This funding sits inside Hewlett's broader U.S. Democracy Program, which has long focused on the civic health that makes good policy possible. Partners on the Be The People campaign include Stand Together and the MacArthur Foundation. GivingTuesday is also supported through Hewlett's Effective Philanthropy Program. If your Houston-area organization works on civic engagement, trust-building, or community volunteering, these national efforts may align with — and amplify — what you are already doing locally.

Trust in public life has been sliding for years. Political conflict feels exhausting. Many people want to help their communities but aren't sure where to start. These grants target exactly that gap — not by asking everyone to agree, but by creating real entry points for people who want to get involved without wading into constant ideological fights.