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Philanthropy’s Role in Addressing Hate-Fueled Violence

The White House held the United We Stand Summit which included several bipartisan speakers and launched several initiatives, supported by several CMF members. The initiatives call for the support of the philanthropic sector to help prevent and respond to hate-fueled violence across the nation.

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community healing

In response to the rise of nationwide hate and extremism, the White House held the United We Stand Summit, which included several bipartisan speakers and launched several initiatives, supported by several CMF members, that call for the support of the philanthropic sector.

The Summit honored the resilience of communities who are healing from hate-fueled violence, including mass shootings and put forward a shared vision for a more united America.

The White House’s fact sheet outlines the actions the federal government will take to prevent hate-fueled violence, as well as actions non-federal public and private institutions can take.

Dignity.us, the Citizens’ Initiative to Address Hate-Fueled Violence in America, supported by CMF members the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Ford Foundation, will build on the work of the Summit. Plans include continuing the conversation in communities around the country and conducting a national search for first-hand testimonials, insights and solutions on preventing and responding to hate-fueled violence. 

The Initiative will begin with an initial phase of listening and learning by engaging:

  • Communities across 50 states, D.C., the territories and Tribal lands that have directly experienced hate-fueled violence and those that are working to address it—including leaders in schools, workplaces, faith-based institutions, law enforcement, and government, and among youth.
  • Researchers and experts who have studied the problem and have evidence of effective solutions.
  • Nonprofits, associations and foundations that have worked to address hatred, violence and division and build bridges across differences.
  • Those who have left groups affiliated with hatred and violence to understand their motivations for joining and why they left.

According to a White House press release, after several months of this learning, the Initiative will develop a set of recommendations and drive the implementation of a plan of action with a focus on greatly scaling effective community-based efforts. 

Other initiatives launched during the Summit include:

  • Trust for Civic Infrastructure: As recently recommended in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences report, Our Common Purpose, supported by CMF members the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Ford Foundation, the Trust will support community-led efforts to strengthen and expand the places, programs, people and information that bolster civic capacity and create opportunities for communities to build common ground and solve problems together.
  • A Nation of Bridgebuilders: Interfaith America, Habitat for Humanity and the YMCA of the USA are engaging tens of thousands of Americans in rural, urban and suburban communities across the nation in meaningful opportunities to bridge diverse identities and divergent ideologies. These organizations will train 10,000 leaders across the nation in bridgebuilding skills and host over 1,000 events with a bridgebuilding focus in over 300 communities.

The fact sheet also includes commitments from the technology sector and actions for Congress to enact increased investments in national service and civics education and build on the public safety legislation Biden has signed over the last year.

Want more?

Learn more about the United We Stand Summit.

Read the full White House Fact Sheet.

Learn more about the Joyce Foundation’s ongoing work in addressing the rise of armed extremists and militias in Michigan and several other states.

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