"His work has demonstrated that philanthropy can be catalytic, turning modest resources into outsized impact, and showing us what it means to practice what we preach."
Bart Friedman
"A civil society crisis is a democracy crisis."
Stephen B. Heintz
Key Takeaways
The Critical State of Civil Society: Civil society is under acute attack worldwide, posing a direct threat to democracy as authoritarian leaders target it to weaken social bonds and erode democratic guardrails.
The Foundation of Democratic Culture: Democracy depends not only on institutions but on a deep-rooted civic culture, what John Dewey called “civic faith”, which takes sustained effort to build and has historically been driven by the power of citizen associations.
Current Challenges Facing the Sector: Civil society faces a severe trust deficit fueled by corruption, lack of transparency, and elitist perceptions, alongside a communication gap that prevents key democratic concepts from resonating with the broader public.
Action Items
Restore Trust and Ethics: Uphold “highest standards of ethical practice” and demonstrate responsiveness “to the needs and anxieties of large numbers of citizens.”
Improve Communication: Develop “simple alternative terms and concrete ways to demonstrate how civil society contributes to the common good” that communicate effectively across divisions.
Defend and Strengthen the Sector: Mount coordinated efforts to both defend civil society from attacks while proving its value to “the lives, prosperity and happiness of the people.”
Leverage Mission Alignment: Follow models that align investments with organizational mission, demonstrating how philanthropy can be “catalytic, turning modest resources into outsized impact.”
Prepare for America’s 250th Anniversary: Use this milestone to reflect on how civil society helps citizens realize “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
