September Newsletter: Supporting Funders; National Attention for the Campaign; Alamance Ripples
“Thank you Rich Harwood for reminding us that we have the power to disrupt systems and transform our communities.” - Dr. Mikela Thomas, Director of Equity & Inclusion Initiatives, United Ways of California
GROWING NATIONAL ATTENTION FOR THE CAMPAIGN
This campaign keeps going everywhere. At the end of August, Rich swept down the west coast from Portland to Eugene, OR, to Northern California. In Portland, he keynoted the United Way Western Regional Conference to offer hundreds of United Way leaders across the western United States a new sense of possibility and hope.
Back in Richmond, VA, Rich led a roundtable of funders intent on better supporting children and youth in order to create a more vibrant community. Then he was off to keynote the Library of Virginia’s annual leadership meeting, helping scores of leaders statewide figure out how they navigate this tumultuous moment without turning inward or backing down from their critical responsibility to serve their whole communities.
Now this week, Rich is back in Rockingham County, NC, leading a Public Innovators Lab to equip dozens of leaders there with the Turning Outward approach and take our community initiative in Rockingham into the next phase. On top of all that, national media is increasingly embracing Rich’s alternative message. Here’s a taste:
Exponent Philanthropy’s Catalytic Podcast invited Rich to share what it will take for funders to transform their relationship to community in order to be more catalytic.
WITF’s The Spark interviewed Rich about the story of how Reading, PA, got on a new civic path and created systemic education change.
The Big Middle invited Rich onto a Substack live to discuss The New Civic Path and what it looks like to leverage digital tools productively in our community work.
HOW THE INSTITUTE SUPPORTS FUNDERS
Rich recently appeared on Exponent Philanthropy’s Catalytic Philanthropy Podcast, which Exponent created to support their national network of nearly 1,500 organizations nationwide. The episode is packed with practical stories of how the Turning Outward approach propelled funders to marshal their resources beyond just financial capital to unleash new change efforts. The podcast is a great tool for funders looking for new ways to tackle existing challenges, demonstrate we can take action together, and get their community moving again in a more hopeful way.
In the episode’s closing minutes, Rich also spoke to how we’re making our work as accessible and affordable as possible for funders and their grantees to work with us. For instance, you can join our Harwood Circle of Catalytic Funders and plug into virtual funder events. You can join our annual convening in Sarasota this January for funders looking to become more catalytic in their work.
We can host in-person or virtual Public Innovators Labs for individual funders and their grantees to learn the Turning Outward approach. Funders can also take part in our Harwood Catalytic Guide Program—a deep dive into developing a catalytic mindset and set of behaviors to guide others in community work. We can help a funder activate a local team like we’re doing in Richmond around youth and families. Or we can support a full community initiative, like we’ve done in Reading or Alamance.
We support funders and their communities in all of these ways because our public mission is to spread a new approach for how we can address what really matters to people and strengthen civic culture all across America.
the ripples continue in alamance
Rich often says the most exciting ripples of change in our community initiatives happen after the Institute’s formal work ends. Alamance County, NC, is proving to be no different. We documented the incredible chain reactions that five action teams created in our report, Alamance County’s Ripples of Change: Choosing Hope Over Division. Each team’s chain reaction continues to grow and spread to this day. In particular, efforts by the Arts & Culture Team to spearhead new collaborations between community artists and educators are now coming to fruition this fall. You can read about that in a story from Alamance’s Narrative Team.
“remembering 9/11 and my pledge to frank”
To mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Rich wrote a brief reflection. In the piece, he asks readers to consider: “Twenty-five years have passed, and I remember that dreadful day as if it was yesterday. Are we a better nation? Stronger? More vibrant? Kinder?” Rich also explores what it looks like to remember the past while committing ourselves to building a future we can believe in.
Public Innovator Spotlight: celebrating latest hcg alumni
The latest cohort of the Harwood Catalytic Guide program wrapped up last month. Dozens more leaders from foundations, nonprofits, and other groups are now equipped to spark and grow a wider movement for change in their communities and organizations. We’re thrilled to welcome them to our thousands-strong network of Public Innovators who work tirelessly to help move their communities forward. The next cohort of HCG will launch in spring 2027. Reach out to our team now if you are interested in securing a spot.
“One of the best professional development experiences I've had over the last 30 years! I'm grateful to join a community of national leaders who are Turning Outward to strengthen civic life in our communities—and our country.”
- Frank Cardella, the Director of Economic Mobility at United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg
Turning outward across all aspects of life
Harwood’s Studio on Community is our hub for innovation. Over the summer, we were honored to have Sarah Burns, an undergraduate at William & Mary, serve as a Studio Associate.
Her college journey has taken her from her hometown in Indiana to Williamsburg, VA, then to St. Andrews, Scotland, for a year abroad before spending the summer in DC.
Reflecting on her time with the Institute, Sarah noted, “I’ve realized Turning Outward can also be a complete mindset shift in everyday life in which you value the others around you and are truly receptive to who they are.”
UPCOMING EVENTS
Getting Started Virtual Public Innovators Lab | October 2026
You want to create real, lasting change. Our Getting Started Virtual Lab, a signature offering of The Harwood School, can teach you how. And the next edition is headed your way this October. The result of nearly four decades of innovation and learning, this Lab offers the very best of Harwood’s time-tested approach in an accessible, high-impact experience. Bring your team, build capacity, and be equipped to unleash a new chain reaction in your community. Register now to secure your spot.
Third Annual Safe Haven for Funders | January 28-29, 2026
The Institute’s annual Safe Haven for Funders is a special gathering designed to activate and develop philanthropic leaders who seek to be catalytic by embracing a new approach to community-led change. This year’s Safe Haven—held in Sarasota, FL, on January 28-29—will examine what it really takes for communities to transform themselves at a time of such deep divides. And how you can actively support those efforts in ways that go beyond financial capital. Learn more about the Safe Haven.
The Harwood Institute in the News
How Reading, PA, Found a New Civic Path for Community Change via The Spark
Live in the Big Middle via The Big Middle
Unleashing the Community’s Potential in DeSoto County via The Patterson Foundation
Follow our revamped social media presence for hope, inspiration, and connection.
