“Rich Harwood’s insights are not just inspiring—they’re practical, actionable, and rooted in decades of experience.” - Wilk Wilkinson, Host of the Derate the Hate Podcast

Two Pre-Election Civic Rallies

“Civic Rallies have become a safe space where people are free to just breathe. Where I know I can share my opinion without being attacked or vilified or judged. Where I can find rejuvenation and inspiration to continue to forge a new civic path.” - Penny Christian, Chair of the National PTA Family Engagement Committee

For many of us, anxieties and fears will heighten and sharpen as we approach November’s election. It’s important for each of us to vote. But now more than ever, we also need a space that builds us up, not further divides us. That restores a sense of possibility and hope as we seek to make a difference in our local communities. That’s why we’re holding not one but two Civic Rallies in the lead up to the election on October 18 and November 1 at 1pm ET.

In each, we’ll explore the real work each of us must contribute to in our communities to begin moving the country forward, regardless of who wins in November. We’re also designing a unique event for after the election to continue and deepen the conversations sparked in these upcoming Civic Rallies.

Register for an Upcoming Civic Rally

P.S. By registering now, you’ll ensure that you’re the first to know when we announce our special post-election event.

Selma Can Lead Us Across the Bridge Again Today

“The eyes of America are on Selma. We needed the community back in 1965 during the civil rights era to show us the way forward. We need Selma again today at yet another critical moment in American history. I believe they can take us across that bridge once more and into a brighter future.”

Rich’s latest column in The Fulcrum reflects on his recent journey to Selma, where he delivered a keynote address at the local NAACP’s annual banquet. In particular, he offers four key questions that people in Selma—and the country—might wrestle with if we’re serious about creating change.

How can we start moving forward?
How can we activate more allies?
How can we accelerate and deepen change?
How can we create more belief?

Read Rich’s latest in The Fulcrum for the answers

The Funder’s Dilemma: the 5 Stages of Community Life

The 5 Stages of Community Life, one of the Institute's key frameworks, asserts that every community is in one of five stages. Each stage has its own implications for the types of investment and support that will help a community move forward.

Thus, Funders and philanthropic groups face a dilemma: Will you calibrate your efforts to the stage your community is in or the stage you wish it was in?

During this highly interactive webinar, you’ll learn the 5 Stages of Community Life, identify which one your community is in, and explore how you can move forward more effectively given your stage. This free webinar is offered through the Harwood CIRCLE of Catalytic Funders, a signature element of The Harwood School.

REgister for the Webinar

Rich on Derate the Hate Podcast

“We live in such contentious times. What’s a starting point for people who feel lost or unheard? Where do people get started and engage without becoming enraged or frustrated?” This is the question the host of the popular civic podcast Derate the Hate posed to Rich during a wide-ranging conversation about how we each might contribute to civic life today. Rich responded: “First, we have to change the frame of the discussion from one that is political to one that is focused on our shared aspirations.” But that’s not all Rich offered. For the rest of his answer, tune in to Episode 229 of Derate the Hate.

Listen to Rich on Derate the Hate

P.S. Did you know? This is just one of nearly a dozen podcasts Rich has recorded during the campaign. You can find any you may have missed on our curated Spotify playlist.

Rich’s Response to the September 10 Presidential Debate

For two years running, we hosted our annual Summit at the National Constitution Center, the very place where the recent presidential debate was held. The two conversations could not have been more different. The folks we engage at our Summit don’t want more divisive politics. They want a new, more hopeful path forward. A path that actually focuses on what matters to each of us in our daily lives.

No matter which candidate you support in a given election, it’s easy to feel worried, anxious, or even in despair about where the country seems headed. Rich’s response to the presidential debate has now been viewed more than 15,000 times on YouTube. Watch to see what’s resonating with so many about how we might deal with these feelings in a way that moves us, and our communities, forward.

Watch Rich’s Full Response

Campaign Headed on Cross-Country Sweep

What do Philadelphia, Reading, and Harrisburg, PA; and Frankfort and Winchester, KY, have in common? That’s where we’re headed for the next leg of our in-person campaign events as we sweep the country. That it was these communities that stepped forward to host our campaign this fall reinforces the very premise of our campaign: That Communities of all political persuasions, geographies, and sizes are recognizing we don’t need more divisive politics; we need a new civic path forward. We’re excited to bring back stories of hope and inspiration in the coming days as we activate more and more Americans in forging this new civic path.

Upcoming Events

Harwood Summit | December 12-14, 2024
Three days. 50 civic leaders. One shared purpose: to come together to wrestle with the challenges we face, to think deeply about who we are and how we’re called to step forward, and to renew our commitment to building a new trajectory of hope in our communities. Learn more about this year’s Summit.

Rejuvenating Ourselves & Making a Real Difference: A Safe Haven for Funders | January 16-17, 2025
Many of our communities are simply stuck or not making the progress we need. We hear repeatedly among philanthropic leaders: What’s the path forward? In response, we’re creating a safe haven for catalytic funders seeking to make a difference in tough times. This funders-only event is scheduled for January 16-17 in Sarasota, FL, and is designed to refresh, reground, and re-energize you as you begin the new year. Learn more and register.