What Will It Take to Close America’s Divides? A New Chronicle Project

Dear Reader,

Today the Chronicle of Philanthropy debuts a major new effort to help you better understand how America’s nonprofits and foundations are working to heal the nation’s divides.

When you dive into The Commons, you’ll learn the multitude of ways people and organizations are bringing communities together and getting things done.

You’ll also discover how philanthropy can do more to throw its support behind what works — and, just as important, how it can avoid creating or deepening fissures. And you’ll find tools that will help you in your own work.

We’re exploring how fractures over race, gender, geography, income levels, and all the many other facets of our culture and society are threatening progress and the nation’s stability. After all, until the nation can come together to talk and act, it won’t matter how many billions of dollars donors pour into good causes or how many hours of smart, strategic work nonprofits undertake to keep their communities vibrant.

As we build The Commons, we’re approaching it with the rigor and intensity that you expect from the Chronicle.

We’re asking tough questions about what really makes a difference, promoting thoughtful conversations, and encouraging new ideas.

The Commons is the result of discussions I have had with leaders at multiple nonprofits and foundations. As I asked them what the Chronicle could do to help them the most, they told me they longed to find a place where people of widely divergent perspectives could exchange ideas that lead to change — without all the shouting.

Creating The Commons is our answer to that call — and demonstrates how we have evolved in the past year as we have joined the growing cadre of nonprofit newsrooms redefining how journalism can better engage communities in social change.

To build The Commons, we have drawn on research, ideas, and much more from experts around the country.

We’re grateful to them and to three foundations that believed in our project from the start: the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Einhorn Collaborative, and JPB Foundation. As with all of our philanthropic supporters, they do not see any of our work until it is published, nor do they have any input on our coverage.

The strength of The Commons depends on feedback from you. Let us know what you think about this issue and explore the inviting new space on Philanthropy.com/TheCommons, where we’ve gathered many more offerings.

And if you’re interested in writing for The Commons or sharing other perspectives, we’re eager to hear from you.

Send us a note at TheCommons@philanthropy.com.

Stacy Palmer
CEO, Chronicle of Philanthropy

P.S. The best way to keep up with everything we post in The Commons — and elsewhere on our site — is to follow Philanthropy Today or join the LinkedIn Group.