Our Mission

We’re Making Community a Common Enterprise

We want a world where community is a common and enduring enterprise – where everyone can come together amid their differences to solve the complex challenges that affect us all.
 
 
 
 

A Philosophy & A Practice

Our work is both a philosophy and a practice. Real, lasting change occurs only when people and communities help lead the solution. We bring people on the front lines of creating change in communities to challenge conventional assumptions, learn together, inspire one another and strengthen our collective ability to be a force for good.

The Harwood Institute equips people, organizations, communities and networks with the tools to bridge divides, build capacity, and tackle shared challenges. By Turning Outward, we enable communities to become a collective force for change.

We exist in a long-tradition of small, catalytic organizations throughout American history that have worked to strengthen and advance our society to create a more hopeful future for all. For over 30 years, we have created breakthroughs on how to address the hardest and most vital societal challenges and strengthen our civic culture.

Our task is to get on a more equitable, fair, just, inclusive, and hopeful path forward.

“COMMUNITIES MOVE FORWARD WHEN ENOUGH PEOPLE INTENTIONALLY CHOOSE TO STEP FORWARD, TURN OUTWARD TOWARD ONE ANOTHER, AND SET IN MOTION MEANINGFUL ACTIONS THAT SPREAD LIKE A POSITIVE CONTAGION.”
— RICH HARWOOD