Three hundred Fresnans came together with a big vision—to build an economy that creates opportunity for everyone. Five years later, the results speak for themselves. Fresno DRIVE shows what is possible when communities lead, when neighbors organize, and when everyone has a seat at the table.

Why This Matters for Organizers

• Proof of Concept: Community-led initiatives can move the needle on national rankings

• Replicable Model: Multi-billion dollar community-led investment plan created by residents

• Infrastructure Focus: Neighborhood Hubs build relationships, trust, and collective power

• Long-Term Vision: Five-year timeline shows sustained commitment produces results

• Systems Change: Addressing root causes of poverty, not just symptoms

The Beacon Project launches its first podcast with Eric Liu, CEO of Citizen University. This conversation explores why citizenship matters now, what civic culture really means, and how communities can rebuild connection in times of division.

Why This Matters

• For the Exhausted Majority: A vision that transcends left-right polarization and offers practical hope

• For Educators: A framework that recognizes both individual potential and structural barriers

• For Policy Makers: Cross-partisan appeal with 80% agreement across political parties

• For Community Leaders: A shared language for building civic culture beyond divisiveness

• For America's Future: A roadmap for reimagining democracy in the 21st century

We're building a democracy where everyone has a voice and everyone can participate. Since 2014, we've invested over $500 million to protect democracy and create lasting change.

Democracy needs protection. Together, we can defend it.

It all begins with an idea.