Our Collaborative Approach

Across every generation, our ability to work together in common purpose has fueled our greatest achievements and safeguarded our progress in times of change. Our source of strength comes from our distinctiveness and what we have in common.

Our four strategies — Bonding, Bridging, Building, and Belonging — work in concert to strengthen the environments where trust, empathy, and collaboration can thrive.

We intentionally partner with organizations that are not afraid to reach across divides to build as broad a coalition of Americans as possible.

This approach isn’t idealistic; it’s practical. When people with different viewpoints work together effectively, we create changes that can withstand the test of time because they’re built on broader consensus rather than narrow agreement.

Our Guiding Principles

Our Principles of Practice guide how we work as a team and with our partners. They reflect our values in action: how we build trust, make choices, and collaborate to achieve the most beneficial outcomes to advance our mission.

We place genuine human connection and trust at the heart of every partnership. A culture of connection flourishes when we bring empathy, mutuality, vulnerability, and curiosity to our interactions, allowing people to feel seen, heard, and valued.

1.

Relationship First

We work with a wide range of practitioners, researchers, community leaders, cultural influencers, and funders to complement individual skillsets, knowledge, and expertise. Meaningful change happens when we work together in ways none of us could achieve alone.

2.

Better Together

We bring a spirit of mutuality and accountability to our relationships with nonprofit partners. We provide perspective, a vast network, and resources, while our partners determine key actions, metrics, and the support they need to achieve outcomes we both care deeply about.

3.

Sharing the Journey

We bring a spirit of mutuality and accountability to our relationships with nonprofit partners. We provide perspective, a vast network, and resources, while our partners determine key actions, metrics, and the support they need to achieve outcomes we both care deeply about.

4.

Focusing on Key Levers

We seek out opportunities with the potential for outsized impact. We work with our partners to scale and deepen their impact across settings and institutions that together transform systems and communities.

5.

Seeking Transformational Impact

We define success for ourselves and our partners by what we learn together. We revisit assumptions, examine what’s working for whom and why, and pivot as necessary. We know even the best laid plans will change due to lessons learned on the ground.

6.

Always Learning and Improving

Frequently Asked Questions