Local ecosystems like coastal marshes, pine savannahs, and prairie meadows provide critical services—from flood resilience to climate mitigation. Houston Wilderness supports large‑scale planting, green infrastructure, and planning frameworks—empowering underserved communities and building climate‑smart infrastructure regionall

EarthShare Texas enables local environmental nonprofits with over 95% of donated funds going directly to mission-driven work. It has collectively helped conserve land, support environmental justice, and engage Texans in statewide action and awareness.

Generational divisions are deepening just when collaboration is needed most. CoGenerate addresses this by building intergenerational bridges that spark innovation, expand belonging, and nurture mutual understanding—offering a replicable model of age-integrated social progress.

By redirecting millions of pounds of surplus food away from landfills, Goodr reduces greenhouse gas emissions and improves food accessibility, offering a triple‑win: lower costs, positive ESG impact, and hunger relief.

Lifelong learning and access to diverse educational experiences empower individuals to grow, adapt, and contribute to their communities. OpenRice breaks down silos, making high-quality learning opportunities available to all at Rice—promoting inclusion, intellectual curiosity, and a thriving academic environment.

The arts are more than enrichment—they are vital tools for emotional resilience, trauma recovery, and collective healing. This national day of recognition helps institutionalize the power of creative expression in public health systems, especially for marginalized and underserved communities.

Millions of Americans lack a working knowledge of how government functions or what their civic responsibilities entail. Civics 101 meets this challenge head-on with fast, foundational lessons that help people of all ages—from students to retirees—understand the systems that shape their daily lives. With trust in institutions declining and polarization rising, resources like Civics 101 play a vital role in rebuilding civic competence and confidence.

This 2025 report from More in Common’s Beacon Project explores how Americans across political, racial, and generational lines share a belief in “morally directed agency”—the idea that individuals have both the right and responsibility to improve their lives and contribute to their communities. Drawing on surveys of over 60,000 people and in-depth interviews, the report reveals that most Americans value personal agency alongside a desire for systems that provide opportunity. It proposes a unifying civic vision rooted in empowerment, shared purpose, and mutual obligation.

Schoolhouse Rock! is a beloved series of animated musical shorts that first aired on ABC in the 1970s. Designed to teach children important lessons in subjects like grammar, math, history, science, and civics, the series became a cultural touchstone for generations. Known for its catchy tunes and clever animation, Schoolhouse Rock! helped millions of viewers understand everything from how bills become laws to the principles of the U.S. Constitution.

In the realm of civic education, the series played a powerful role in making the foundations of American government more accessible and engaging — especially for young learners. Songs like “I’m Just a Bill,” “Three Ring Government,” and “Preamble” introduced key concepts such as legislation, separation of powers, and the U.S. Constitution in ways that stuck.

Still widely used in classrooms today, Schoolhouse Rock! remains a fun and informative entry point for building civic literacy, understanding how democracy works, and encouraging active participation in civic life.

A project of the USC Dornsife Center for Economic and Social Research, this Agents of Change initiative focuses on engaging civilians—especially underrepresented communities—in public policy research and action. The program seeks to amplify civic engagement and support pathways for Angelenos to shape policy decisions that impact their everyday lives.

Texans just scored three major victories for housing, property rights, and local democracy!

Thanks to leadership from the Texas Legislature and Governor Greg Abbott, three transformative housing bills are now law.

In an era of political polarization and economic precarity, Changing Work offers a hopeful and inclusive vision of what work could be. By listening deeply and amplifying voices often left out of policy debates, they help shape a future of work that centers dignity, equity, and democracy.