A Call to Connection
This groundbreaking primer on the state of connection in our nation is now available. Combining scientific research, stories of impact, and recommended practices to help foster deeper connections in our lives, this new primer seeks to ignite a national conversation about why we need each other.
Welcome
There’s an active and committed ecosystem of actors — community organizers, educators, researchers, policy makers, thought leaders, cultural influencers, and funders — working hard to address America’s crisis of connection. Einhorn Collaborative created this hub to lift up their stories, insights, and reflections. We hope they serve you and the organizations you work in partnership with to bring the power and possibility of human connection into our everyday lives.
Reflections
Stories, insights, and reflections from our team, peers, and partners
Welcoming a New Challenge: Reflection on My Tenure & Transition
The past eight-and-a-half years at Einhorn Collaborative have profoundly shaped who I am. This moment of transition allows me to reflect on the gifts and the lessons learned that I’m bringing to my next role.
Our Life Paths & A Season of Change in Our Bridging Work
As an eternal optimist and tinkerer, I thrive on being at a fork in the road. I love knowing that lessons can be learned from reflection and that beautiful opportunities are right at our feet, waiting for us to take the next step. And the truth is, we don’t need to wait for the new year to do it.
The Risks and Rewards of Sharing Power With Your Community
While there is much talk within philanthropy about bringing people with diverse experiences to the table, it’s clear more still needs to be done to ensure that community members are given opportunities for participation and decision making equal to the so-called traditional experts.
A Call to Think Big and Bold About Our Future
It is easy to see how a gloomy outlook on the country and a cynical view of humanity conspire to stifle our collective imagination. Yet that capacity to envision and work toward better futures is most needed in times of upheaval and rapid change; that is, now.
Measuring Our Lives in Tree Rings
It’s in moments of reflection, when we take a step back to look at a cross-section of our own “trunks,” that we can see a concentric pattern of rings emerge, giving us clues about the conditions and magnitude of emotions we attach to formative experiences over our lifetime.
Investing in Civic Education to Safeguard Our Democracy
The majority of Americans across the political spectrum support more funding to ensure every child receives an adequate civic education, yet over the last twenty years, 44% of school districts reduced how much time educators spend on social studies in elementary schools.
The Risks and Rewards of Sharing Power With Your Community
While there is much talk within philanthropy about bringing people with diverse experiences to the table, it’s clear more still needs to be done to ensure that community members are given opportunities for participation and decision making equal to the so-called traditional experts.
Five Principles for Fostering Connection with Children During Times of Transition
During times of transition and challenge, parents and caregivers can regain a sense of calm by embracing adaptability and choosing connection rather than control.
The Path to Regulation and Calming Runs Through Relationships
In a world full of conflict, stress, and distraction, human connection is more than just a pleasant change of pace; it is the biological basis for our capacity to bridge and heal.
Why Curb Cuts and Early Relational Health Go Together
Embracing the concepts of the Curb-Cut Effect and Targeted Universalism helps our Bonding collaboratives succeed.
Bridging Differences in Power and Perspective to Advance Community Change
The Project Manager for Pediatrics Supporting Parents shares insights from Durham Partners for Early Relational Health about co-designing collaborative efforts to transform health care systems, with all stakeholders having a seat at the table.
Leveraging Philanthropic Collaboration to Support Child Development
Meera Mani of The David & Lucile Packard Foundation reflects on five years of collaboration in philanthropy.
Welcoming a New Challenge: Reflection on My Tenure & Transition
The past eight-and-a-half years at Einhorn Collaborative have profoundly shaped who I am. This moment of transition allows me to reflect on the gifts and the lessons learned that I’m bringing to my next role.
Investing in Civic Education to Safeguard Our Democracy
The majority of Americans across the political spectrum support more funding to ensure every child receives an adequate civic education, yet over the last twenty years, 44% of school districts reduced how much time educators spend on social studies in elementary schools.
Celebrating New Collaborations to Promote Student Success
Higher education and national service have a critical role to play in supporting a new collaborative effort reach its goal and help students succeed.
Developing a Generation of Bridgers
Einhorn Collaborative’s evolving Gen Z strategy
City Year & Cornell: Evaluating Impact Outcomes in Partnership
How the David M. Einhorn Center for Community Engagement at Cornell University and City Year are working together to learn how their programs foster civic and community participation, collaboration, and career readiness.
Relationships: What Young People Need to Thrive
The wellbeing of young people depends on their access to relationship-rich environments
A Call to Think Big and Bold About Our Future
It is easy to see how a gloomy outlook on the country and a cynical view of humanity conspire to stifle our collective imagination. Yet that capacity to envision and work toward better futures is most needed in times of upheaval and rapid change; that is, now.
Philanthropy in Action: Local to Global
Our Building Strategy Lead Jonathan Gruber spoke on a panel with New Pluralists' Executive Director Uma Viswanathan and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Senior Program Officer Sharon Roerty at the Foundation for Social Connection's 2022 End Social Isolation and Loneliness Action Forum.
All the Lonely People: Why Americans’ Isolation Is a Threat to Our Democracy
In addition to toxic polarization, threats of political violence, the divisive effects of social media, and other oft-cited forces – loneliness is a lesser-known factor that subverts democracy.
Bridging in Action: A Relationship Forged Through Shared Work
Our Building Strategy Lead Jon Gruber and Sarah Ruger of Stand Together, who work closely as funder co-leads of New Pluralists, recently sat down to reflect on their partnership one year into the launch of the collaborative.
Stretching towards Hope in 2022
2021 brought forth many of the same challenges we’d already been grappling with as a country, along with new ones. Social upheaval, political unrest, and the continued impact of the pandemic aggravate our existing fear, anxiety, and loneliness.
We Can Relate: A primer on why and how we should invest in connection
A Call to Connection weaves together science, ancient wisdom, vivid stories, and concrete practices.
Our Life Paths & A Season of Change in Our Bridging Work
As an eternal optimist and tinkerer, I thrive on being at a fork in the road. I love knowing that lessons can be learned from reflection and that beautiful opportunities are right at our feet, waiting for us to take the next step. And the truth is, we don’t need to wait for the new year to do it.
Measuring Our Lives in Tree Rings
It’s in moments of reflection, when we take a step back to look at a cross-section of our own “trunks,” that we can see a concentric pattern of rings emerge, giving us clues about the conditions and magnitude of emotions we attach to formative experiences over our lifetime.
Go Build the Things You Love
What is something that you believe is not working in our society today that you could help tend to and maybe even solve by building something better?
Let Us Move at the Speed of Trust
Small moments of connection are what we need to build trust, a core element in any healthy relationship, before we can come together to solve bigger societal challenges.
Every City in America Needs Its Own Porchfest
On the last weekend of August, residents and visitors lined the streets in Black Rock, Connecticut swaying to the electrifying music coming from dozens of residential porches, yards, and driveways. But Black Rock Porchfest is so much more than a music festival; for many, it fosters belonging.
A Summer Reading List on Belonging
A collection of books curated by Jenn that will hopefully bring you joy, awe, ingenuity, provocation, and “aha!” moments as we work to build a culture of belonging.
Welcoming a New Challenge: Reflection on My Tenure & Transition
The past eight-and-a-half years at Einhorn Collaborative have profoundly shaped who I am. This moment of transition allows me to reflect on the gifts and the lessons learned that I’m bringing to my next role.
Our Life Paths & A Season of Change in Our Bridging Work
As an eternal optimist and tinkerer, I thrive on being at a fork in the road. I love knowing that lessons can be learned from reflection and that beautiful opportunities are right at our feet, waiting for us to take the next step. And the truth is, we don’t need to wait for the new year to do it.
The Risks and Rewards of Sharing Power With Your Community
While there is much talk within philanthropy about bringing people with diverse experiences to the table, it’s clear more still needs to be done to ensure that community members are given opportunities for participation and decision making equal to the so-called traditional experts.
A Call to Think Big and Bold About Our Future
It is easy to see how a gloomy outlook on the country and a cynical view of humanity conspire to stifle our collective imagination. Yet that capacity to envision and work toward better futures is most needed in times of upheaval and rapid change; that is, now.
The Risks and Rewards of Sharing Power With Your Community
While there is much talk within philanthropy about bringing people with diverse experiences to the table, it’s clear more still needs to be done to ensure that community members are given opportunities for participation and decision making equal to the so-called traditional experts.
Five Principles for Fostering Connection with Children During Times of Transition
During times of transition and challenge, parents and caregivers can regain a sense of calm by embracing adaptability and choosing connection rather than control.
The Path to Regulation and Calming Runs Through Relationships
In a world full of conflict, stress, and distraction, human connection is more than just a pleasant change of pace; it is the biological basis for our capacity to bridge and heal.
Why Curb Cuts and Early Relational Health Go Together
Embracing the concepts of the Curb-Cut Effect and Targeted Universalism helps our Bonding collaboratives succeed.
Bridging Differences in Power and Perspective to Advance Community Change
The Project Manager for Pediatrics Supporting Parents shares insights from Durham Partners for Early Relational Health about co-designing collaborative efforts to transform health care systems, with all stakeholders having a seat at the table.
Leveraging Philanthropic Collaboration to Support Child Development
Meera Mani of The David & Lucile Packard Foundation reflects on five years of collaboration in philanthropy.
A Call to Think Big and Bold About Our Future
It is easy to see how a gloomy outlook on the country and a cynical view of humanity conspire to stifle our collective imagination. Yet that capacity to envision and work toward better futures is most needed in times of upheaval and rapid change; that is, now.
Philanthropy in Action: Local to Global
Our Building Strategy Lead Jonathan Gruber spoke on a panel with New Pluralists' Executive Director Uma Viswanathan and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Senior Program Officer Sharon Roerty at the Foundation for Social Connection's 2022 End Social Isolation and Loneliness Action Forum.
All the Lonely People: Why Americans’ Isolation Is a Threat to Our Democracy
In addition to toxic polarization, threats of political violence, the divisive effects of social media, and other oft-cited forces – loneliness is a lesser-known factor that subverts democracy.
Welcoming a New Challenge: Reflection on My Tenure & Transition
The past eight-and-a-half years at Einhorn Collaborative have profoundly shaped who I am. This moment of transition allows me to reflect on the gifts and the lessons learned that I’m bringing to my next role.
Investing in Civic Education to Safeguard Our Democracy
The majority of Americans across the political spectrum support more funding to ensure every child receives an adequate civic education, yet over the last twenty years, 44% of school districts reduced how much time educators spend on social studies in elementary schools.
Celebrating New Collaborations to Promote Student Success
Higher education and national service have a critical role to play in supporting a new collaborative effort reach its goal and help students succeed.
Our Life Paths & A Season of Change in Our Bridging Work
As an eternal optimist and tinkerer, I thrive on being at a fork in the road. I love knowing that lessons can be learned from reflection and that beautiful opportunities are right at our feet, waiting for us to take the next step. And the truth is, we don’t need to wait for the new year to do it.
Measuring Our Lives in Tree Rings
It’s in moments of reflection, when we take a step back to look at a cross-section of our own “trunks,” that we can see a concentric pattern of rings emerge, giving us clues about the conditions and magnitude of emotions we attach to formative experiences over our lifetime.
Go Build the Things You Love
What is something that you believe is not working in our society today that you could help tend to and maybe even solve by building something better?
Through the Prism
By asking human beings the same five questions, we remind ourselves that everyone has a powerful story that deserves to be heard.
Through the Prism with Suzette Brooks Masters
Suzette Brooks Masters is a philanthropic advisor, thought leader, and strategist in the fields of democracy and pluralism. For more than two decades she has advised foundations, non-profit organizations, policymakers, and corporations on how to respond to a fast-changing America. She has received numerous awards for her philanthropic vision and impact, and accolades for her incisive publications. She prides herself on seeing around the corner and challenging conventional thinking. Ms. Masters currently leads the Better Futures Project with the Democracy Funders Network.
Through the Prism with Lennon Flowers
Lennon Flowers is hell-bent on creating spaces where humans can be human, out of a belief that nothing is done in isolation, and that self-help only works in community. She’s the co-founder & executive director of The Dinner Party, and the co-founder of The People's Supper.
Research
The science behind how human connection shapes our lives
Social Connection Report: The Ties That Bind and Nurture
For parents, the nature and strength of their social connections are key determinants of their health and well-being, and in turn, their children’s development. New research, commissioned by Capita with support from Reach Out and Read Carolinas, draws attention to important issues facing parents of young children in North Carolina, including loneliness, social isolation, and lack of parental support. The findings aim to guide approaches to strengthen social connectedness for parents across age cohorts and around the country.
Imagining Better Futures for American Democracy
The power of our imagination has an impact on the state and direction of our democracy. Having positive visions of our shared future can give us a sense of agency and motivate us to work together to achieve mutually beneficial societal outcomes. The “Imagining Better Futures for American Democracy” report, a collaboration between Suzette Brooks Masters and the Democracy Funders Network, offers insights into the value of positive visioning, challenges to imagining better futures, and how we can overcome them.
The Effects of Community-Based Engagement in Higher Education
Findings from a recent study by the American Association of Colleges and Universities indicate that community-engaged learning and civic engagement have positive impacts on students in six key areas, including personal and social responsibility, development of positive mindsets and dispositions, graduation and retention rates, learning gains, intellectual and practical skills, and career-related skills. However, more direct assessments of students' demonstrated skills are needed to complement what we know about these outcomes based on self-reported data.
Watch Stories of Our Work
Tools
Here are some ways to put human connection into action
No matter who we are, how we live, or what we believe, we all share a deep need and capacity for human connection and belonging. It’s at the core of our shared humanity — and baked into every human’s DNA.
No matter who we are, how we live, or what we believe, we all share a deep need and capacity for human connection and belonging. It’s at the core of our shared humanity — and baked into every human’s DNA.
Einhorn Collaborative in the News
MacKenzie Scott Gave Away $6 Billion Last Year. It’s Not As Easy As It Sounds
By Belinda Luscombe
"Imagine for a moment being obscenely, outrageously rich. I know you’ve done it before. You probably have a list of priorities—college for the kids, new car, pay off debts. Forget that list. That list is puny."
Grant Maker Bolsters Human Connection as a Way to Take on Polarization
By Alex Daniels
"More than a year of lockdown has taught many Americans about the importance of social distancing and the effects of vaccines. But perhaps the biggest lessons are about people we’ve held close and those whose company we miss, says Jenn Hoos Rothberg, executive director of the Einhorn Collaborative."
Bridging Our Divides Begins with Building Trust and Finding Common Ground with Each Other
By Jenn Hoos Rothberg
"We are in a moment of dramatic change and re-imagining, what my friend and futurist Ari Wallach calls “The Intertidal”: a significant shift in global human culture and narrative, where what has been gives way to what will be."
Authors & Guest Contributors
Jonathan Gruber
Ira Hillman
Jenn Hoos Rothberg
Itai Dinour
Uma Vishwanathan
Uma Vishwanathan
Meera Mani
Linsey Morrison
Casper ter Kulie
Mary Ellen Giess
Karen Murphy
Lucie Addison
David Einhorn
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