July Funders Newsletter
The Harwood CIRCLE is a growing national network of funders coming together to discover and explore how philanthropy can unleash the potential of people and communities. This quarterly newsletter is the CIRCLE’s latest offering to help you discover new and deeper ways to take action in your community.
JOIN OUR NEXT WEBINAR FOR FUNDERS
HOW TO AVOID PARALYSIS AND MAINTAIN BELIEF IN CHALLENGING TIMES
Join us on August 6 at 1 pm ET for our next webinar just for funders, where we will focus on helping you surface and work through how to not be paralyzed by these challenging times.
In this intimate space, we’ll delve into what engenders belief in ourselves and others and zero in on how you can stay focused and on mission amid the challenges you face in your communities and the country.
SAVE THE DATE!
SECOND ANNUAL IN-PERSON SARASOTA GATHERING
“The Safe Haven was marked by honesty, vulnerability, and an unwavering sense of purpose.” - Jessica Muroff, CEO, United Way Suncoast
Earlier this year, The Harwood Institute convened nearly 40 philanthropic leaders from around the country to:
Examine what it really takes for communities to transform themselves and their civic culture.
Explore what it means to be a “catalytic” funder and how funders can support communities in ways that go beyond financial capital.
Create space for funders to learn from one another, innovate together, and discover new and deeper ways to take action in communities.
Work through challenges and tensions funders face to see new possibilities for moving forward
We’re thrilled to announce that with the generous support of The Patterson Foundation, we’ll be back in Sarasota, FL, on January 22-23, 2026 for our next in-person convening. We’ll share more information in the coming months. So, save the date!
READY FOR A NEW ROUND OF COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
We’re excited to announce that we are ready to work with a new round of communities that seek to address today’s challenges by unleashing community-led change.
In the last few years, we have worked deeply with seven iconic communities to demonstrate that Americans have the ability to come together to get things done, especially during these divided times. Local, community-led change is more important now than ever before.
That’s why our Board has announced openings for new communities. We will continue to go deep in some communities; and we have developed new, more ready-made options to meet more communities where they are.
Harwood community initiatives focus on taking action that matters to people while strengthening civic culture. And they have demonstrated impact. Rich’s book Unleashed tells the stories of nine communities that created lasting change. Our latest report, Reading’s Ripples of Change: A New Culture of Shared Responsibility, details how Reading, PA—once declared the poorest community in the country—is creating transformational, systemic change using the Harwood approach.
Now, we seek to partner with communities that want to join a cohort of communities seeking to prove what is possible in America today—at the level that is right for them. A limited number of spots are available, so call us today to connect with our team about working together.
BRING THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE NEW CIVIC PATH TO YOUR COMMUNITY
Since the launch of the Campaign for the New Civic Path on June 1, Rich has been traveling nonstop. In just this first month, he’s visited California, Connecticut, Florida and North Carolina in partnership with funders like United Ways and local foundations.
What’s become even more clear to us in the first month of the campaign is this: Americans are yearning for a new path forward. Sick of divisive politics, they are latching on to this new civic path as a means of reclaiming their sense of agency and creating real change.
Let's go together. Bring Rich and his inspiring message to galvanize your community.
THE LITTLE FIELD GUIDE - “AN ESSENTIAL TOOL”
Already an Amazon Bestseller, The Little Field Guide for Sparking Community-Led Change recently earned a featured review at Reedsy Discovery, a major platform dedicated to spotlighting the best new independently published books. They wrote:
“This guide stands out as a practical resource that is both accessible and insightful. It is not just another theoretical text gathering dust on a shelf. Instead, it serves as a practical manual that individuals can flick through for advice and inspiration when they need it most… an essential tool for anyone looking to effect positive change within their community.”
If your community work is feeling stalled or you just need an encouraging lift, this book is for you.
The Harwood Institute in the News
Communities Fix What’s Broken While Washington Brawls via The Chronicle of Philanthropy
Spotlight on Northeast Reading Listening to Families, Investing in Our Children’s Future via BCTV
The Harwood Initiative: Momentum Builds Across Logan County via Peak of Ohio
Follow our revamped social media presence for hope, inspiration, and connection.
Forward this to a friend! Together we can create a more equitable, fair, just, inclusive, and hopeful path forward.
