Campaign for
the new Civic Path

A crisis of belief grips our nation. Americans have lost trust in our leaders, institutions, systems—even one another. So many of us want to find a more hopeful path forward but don’t know how. More divisive politics isn’t the answer. It’s time for something different. 

Get Exclusive Access to The New Civic Path

We need a new civic path that can spark a nationwide movement to build more equitable, inclusive, fair, and just communities. And, ultimately, a stronger nation. Rich is crisscrossing the country with his manifesto—The New Civic Path: Restoring Our Belief in One Another and Our Nation—declaring the real change we need won’t start with our national politicians in Washington, DC. It will start in our local communities. It will start with people like you.

Our Campaign for The New Civic Path will get you taking action through in-person events, virtual gatherings, hopeful social media content, and much more. Join us on this campaign. Let’s go together.

“Harwood empowers us to act as agents of transformative change in our local communities.”

— Kristin Hansen, Executive Director, Civic Health Project

“Harwood refuses to give up on the American experiment. He reminds us what’s at stake is nothing less than our own future.”

— Judy Woodruff, Senior Correspondent, PBS NewsHour: ‘America at a Crossroads’

A Manifesto for Change

Rich Harwood’s manifesto, The New Civic Path: Restoring Our Belief in One Another and Our Nation, boldly lays out a new path forward by which Americans might come together, amid our real divides, and create change.

Ready to get in action? Download our Discussion Guide and take a first step by starting a book circle in your community!

Selma, beacon of hope

In 1965, Selma, AL, pierced the consciousness of the nation when civil rights’ marchers crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge. They helped us see the work we needed to do in this country to move forward in a new, more hopeful way. Today—amid our crisis of belief and widespread societal turmoil—Selma can remind us once again of the work we need to do as individuals, as communities, and as a nation. It's time to go over the bridge again. Join us on August 20 at 7 pm ET for a national virtual premiere of this original documentary short film.

“I believe we need to sound a call, that in order to restore belief in ourselves and this nation, we don’t need more divisive politics. We need to get on a new civic path. What I’m seeing across the country, including in Selma, AL, is that people are ready to go!”

Rich Harwood, President and Founder of The Harwood Institute

On the New Civic Path in Local Communities

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Get nourished, connected, and activated with virtual events

On June 11, we hosted a nationwide virtual gathering to celebrate the publication of Rich’s manifesto, The New Civic Path: Restoring Our Belief in One Another and Our Nation, and launch our Campaign for the New Civic Path. 

This gathering was designed to help you figure out how the new civic path can support you in making a real difference in your community this year and beyond and introduced a new resource to help you take a step on the new civic path: a Book Circle Discussion Guide.

Watch the recording and join us for our next virtual event on August 20!

Keep up with Rich and the campaign on social media

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praise for the new civic path

  • “Exactly what we need: critical, joyful, and messy examples of people working together towards a new civic path.”

    Rodney McKenzie, Vice President of Ally Development, Fetzer Institute 

  • “Worried about American democratic decline? Then stop fighting. Stop withdrawing. Start building. The New Civic Path now offers those lessons to us.”

    Brook Manville, Co-Author, The Civic Bargain: How Democracy Survives

  • “A powerful call to step forward, take action, and make real progress towards a more hopeful future.”

    Tracey Grayzer, President, Impact Alamance