Our 2025 annual report, Resolute in Our Stand for Democracy, tells the story of a defining year that was shaped by speaking up, standing with courageous leaders, and working alongside partners in defense of democracy. Explore the #KFAnnualReport25: bit.ly/KFAnnualRepo...

In a year marked by growing threats to democracy in the US and around the world, the Charles F. Kettering Foundation met the moment with clarity, courage, and coalition.

What to do if you aren't sure what to do while the world seems to be burning all around us: lotusandphoenix.substack.com/p/what-to-do...

Below is a collection of resources on social movement building, providing historical context, deep dives, scholarly analysis, and practical guidance. open.substack.com/pub/lotusand...

What is Elizabeth reading these days? *Connective Tissue substack about community and connection *@musaalgharbi.bsky.social's We Have Never Been Woke book and his substack *Daniel Stid's substack, The Art of Association on civic life, non-profits, democracy, and philanthropy

Before you head out with your shopping list, add these ideas into the mix. Small moments of connection go further than we think and can strengthen the kind of community we all want. Here are ten easy ways to support your community and spark positive change. No credit card needed:

“If I understand better why people believe what they believe, I can make a better informed choice on what is best for our community because it is our community, not my community.”

"People are yearning for a sense of community, and cities have great potential to bring democracy to the masses.” Dayton Democracy Fellow Mike Squire spends every day illustrating what happens when neighbors feel heard.

This year, don’t aim for perfection. Aim for participation. 🫱🏼‍🫲🏾 Open your 2026 calendar and add any of these meaningful actions to each month. You can even invite a friend to join you!

Wondering what 1990s sexual purity pledges have to do with ICE raids? You've come to the right place. It turns out ideas about purity often shape the worlds we create, even if we aren't joining our local neo-Nazi march or pushing father-daughter purity balls on our kids.

Sometimes things feel hopeless and exhausting. I was so encouraged by these wise words about how we build a shared future in hard times.

Everything is a lot, but there are ways we can take steps forward toward the world we long for.

West Dayton is not waiting to be uplifted. It is rising from within. “It’s not going to happen overnight, but it’s surely happening right now.” ☀️

What does it take to build a community where everyone belongs? Dayton Democracy Fellow Tara Campbell says it starts with education, agency, and uplifting the voices too often left out, especially young people.

From late-night studio hours to classrooms full of preschoolers discovering their voice, Dayton Democracy Fellow Jamaal Durr is using art to open new ways of seeing ourselves and each other.

“We are the ones we’ve been waiting for, and we will continue to build this democracy that we deserve. . . . More than ever, we need each other.” As the 2025 #DaytonDemocracySummit ends, we welcome a familiar face to the stage.

Meet the next generation of changemakers. In Kevin O’Donnell’s classroom, democracy isn’t theoretical—it’s lived. His students debate issues, pass their own laws in “class congress,” and bring their ideas to local leaders. That’s Democracy 101 in action.

A new documentary film, Evicting the American Dream, amplifies the voices of children and families confronting eviction and homelessness. Through powerful stories from Dayton residents and experts, the film reveals both the causes of this crisis and the hope for prevention. https://bit.ly/4nnYaGP

From prison to purpose. ✨ After spending more than 20 years behind bars, Dayton Democracy Fellow Robert Mackey II is turning his past into a path forward. Guided by gratitude, he helps young people make positive choices and find their voice in democracy. https://bit.ly/490981V

Sharon L. Davies (@ketteringfdnceo.bsky.social) kicks off today’s #DaytonDemocracySummit with a powerful reminder about why our collective work matters.

“When people hear the word democracy, they think about elections, voting, elected officials, campaigns. . . . But those things aren’t all that democracy is. Democracy means that everyone belongs, and that all of us should have a say in our communities, state, and nation.”

A stronger democracy begins with Dayton. In almost 10 days, neighbors, leaders, and dreamers from across the Miami Valley will gather at Sinclair College for the #DaytonDemocracySummit—a day to listen, learn, and take action for a more inclusive democracy.

“Youth are not the leaders of tomorrow; they’re the leaders of today.” Through NCCJ: Nurturing Community, Cultivating Justice, Lake Miller helps young people find their voice and use it to build healthier, more inclusive communities across Dayton.

“An informed public is required. Nothing works without the citizenry knowing what is going on.” Dayton Democracy Fellow Nick Hrkman lives this truth every day as community impact editor of the @daytondailynews.com and cofounder of The Journalism Lab.

From ensuring diverse voices appear on the editorial page to training citizen journalists, Nick Hrkman’s work is rooted in the belief that journalism is foundational to democracy. Discover how his passion project grew into a community resource for citizen journalists: bit.ly/3IPqCDm

Through Learn to Earn Dayton, she is building programs that support families, strengthen literacy, and empower residents to lead change in their communities. Read more about Erica’s vision for lasting student and family success: bit.ly/46UrQ8a

How do we help students thrive beyond the classroom? 📚🏡🍎 Dayton Democracy Fellow Erica Fields believes education must go hand in hand with safe neighborhoods, healthy food, stable housing, and a strong civic voice.

Why is everything so hard always? Why is my productivity app not working? It isn’t just you.

This year’s Dayton Democracy Summit is on October 27 at Sinclair College, 8am-4pm. Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II will be the keynote speaker. There will be food, music, workshops, and a powerhouse panel discussion. Everyone is welcome! Free registration is open now: bit.ly/DaytonDemocr...

💫 When the world feels overwhelming, it’s easy to shut down. But you don’t have to stay stuck. Here are 10 practical ways everyday people can take action, build hope, and move forward—together. 🕊 bit.ly/3HLa2U4

Kentucky alert! @keithpayne.bsky.social is on the KF Podcast & he is from Maceo, KY! (Only 30 mins from Reed!) We are kin to the Paynes on the Catholic side of the family & some Paynes lived near Mammaw & Pappaw. I love in when our KY folks are out there doing the good work democracy and listening!

Love this article by Meadowdale High School student from Dayton in @teenvogue.com. Thankful for all of our collaborators in Dayton that helped make this article happen!

Looking forward to preaching at my beloved home church First Christian Church (DOC) in Bowling Green, KY tomorrow, Sunday, August 3 @ 10am CST. Come join in as we dream together what renewal and rebirth can look like.

The rise of the label narcissist reflects a desire to have a framework to make sense of our experience of: Hey this person's hurting me, it is confusing, I don’t know what to do, even when I tell them they're hurting me it won’t stop & I want an explanation of why this is happening & what to do.

So excited that Deva Woodly is a KF Research Fellow. I love her work on social movements! So thankful for all the people out there like Dr. Woodly who are working hard to create a world where we all belong and we are all safe.

Let's not glorify pushing ourselves or others so hard it harms them. How can we take better care of each other?

Humans have not evolved to attend to constant emergencies.

I wrote this article for people who are feeling like parenting and keeping it all together is impossible.

I often hear that things feel overwhelming and that people aren't sure what to do to make things better. Here is a "what to do 101" with lots of great baby steps that move us toward the world we want to live in. kettering.org/feeling-para...

This newsletter is bringing me joy, hope, and relief in these hard times. To all of my community, democracy, non-profit-y, neighborhood-y, WTF-is-happening friends, you might really like these refreshing reads which call us to do more than read and think. connectivetissue.substack.com

Wondering how to win the family over to your way of seeing politics? Wanting to get your spouse to agree housework should be divided more equally? Wishing you could convince your neighbor to support your campaign to allow backyard chickens in your town? This post is for you.

"To my great disappointment, I have found that there are many broken things that cannot be fixed by effort, prayer, or determination... There is healing in the honesty that everything broken cannot be fixed."

From educators and artists to organizers and advocates, these 15 changemakers are building a more just, inclusive democracy right here in Dayton, the Kettering Foundation’s hometown.

Lots of folks struggling & aren't sure what to do. It might be that you are worried about politics, the price of eggs, healthcare, or your kids. There are no easy answers, but this is a small offering to try to help us all figure out what to do when we aren't sure what to do.

My talk on Tyler Childers, Kentucky, religion, & identity at the American Academy of Religion conference last November. How does music and religion change how we feel? How can this change how we act? How can this change how we see ourselves and others? youtu.be/zdDFbGVbKuI

Wondering what to do? This toolkit is helpful for cities, towns, & other people who live in a place to think about how we can build community and connection where we are. This is great for those working in gov, as well as philanthropy, movement, & NGO folks. democracypolicy.network/agenda/stron...

Great conversation between Rebecca Solnit & Erica Chenoweth: "A broad-based coalition is vital...building that capacity, those connections, & that coalition around shared values, from the neighborhood to the national level, would be very useful."

Are you a #preacher in the U.S.? We want to hear about your experiences with ministry, preaching, and social issues! Learn more in this article which has the link to the 15-minute survey. See the comment below for the direct link to the survey. www.patheos.com/blogs/ecopre...

Before we write something or do something we might ask: what is the goal here? Does this mostly serve an expressive function for me? Do I actually care what the outcome is? If, indeed, I do care about the outcome of what I do/say, will the thing I do/say get me closer to that outcome?