Does it feel like America is unraveling, with deepening political divisions and public figures who refuse to collaborate? 

Would it surprise you to learn that we’re not as divided as it seems? 

According to Populace’s American Aspirations Index, the narrative of continuous discord stems from political disagreements on only a few — albeit intensely debated — issues. The study reveals that Americans are more aligned than accounts of public opinion suggest. 

For instance, men and women, people from different income levels, educational backgrounds, and racial or ethnic groups all share 8 of their top 10 national priorities, indicating a surprising consensus.

When asked about the future, Americans across demographics said they care about one issue more than all others: the ongoing commitment to individual rights.

This deep-seated value, enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, drives Americans to not only safeguard their own freedoms but to actively pursue freedom and well-being for others. This commitment inspires community-led initiatives and grassroots movements in which individuals come together to create meaningful change. 

However, addressing complex societal problems can be daunting. Since issues like homelessness or generational poverty are widespread across the nation, it’s tempting to seek national-level solutions. Yet what proves effective in one community might not yield the same results just a town away.

Amber Fogarty, managing director at Stand Together Foundation, explained that solutions work better when they are focused at the local level. “Part of the reason Americans feel stuck is because we’re relying on outdated approaches to solve modern, complex problems,” she said. “Effective solutions exist. We just need to listen to the people in our neighborhoods — the ones staring these problems in the face each day — and come up with solutions that get at the root causes of our issues.”

The following organizations, all supported by the Stand Together Foundation, are doing just that. 

1. What if we could solve homelessness by being supportive neighbors?

Homelessness is a complicated problem that goes far beyond whether a person has a roof. In addition to financial poverty, it’s about relational poverty — a lack of supportive relationships. 

Settled creates tiny home villages where individuals who have experienced chronic homelessness live together with dedicated volunteers in a supportive community. By placing these simple homes on land provided by religious organizations, Settled empowers local community members to serve and support their neighbors.

2. What if parents of children with disabilities had more opportunities to recharge?

Caring for a child with disabilities can be physically and emotionally draining, as well as straining family relationships. 

Jill’s House, a Christian nonprofit, supports caregivers by offering short-term respite care and family support through “respite resort” experiences in Vienna, Virginia, and five camp locations nationwide. Parents can send their children for 24-48 hour stays to enjoy a safe, fun environment while family members rest and recharge, helping the entire family thrive.

3. What if every high school student had access to high-quality career experiences?

Generational poverty can seem overwhelming, with only 35% of persistently poor children finding steady employment by age 30 and 80% of them working for minimum wage. 

Flare Education addresses this by focusing on high school workforce development, helping students aspire to high-wage, high-demand careers. Through a 36-month immersive, paid program, students gain essential skills, build professional networks, and gain clarity on career paths aligned with their values and goals.

4. What if every child had a confidence-building ‘Karate Kid’ experience?

One of the best ways to support children in underserved communities is to boost their confidence. 

Hit the Books offers year-round education, mentorship, and martial arts classes in Harlem, New York, focusing on holistic growth. Using martial arts as a foundation, the program builds a supportive community that enhances students’ self-discovery and long-term outcomes. 

In 2023, 92% of Hit the Books parents reported increased confidence in their children, and 81% noted improved responsibility.

5. What if we could unlock every person’s potential by focusing on their abilities rather than their disabilities?

Wouldn’t we all prefer to be recognized for what we can do rather than what we can’t? 

Hugs Café trains and employs individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities for careers in the culinary and hospitality fields. It’s all about what trainees can do — not what they can’t do. By matching individuals with jobs suited to their abilities, the café bridges the gap between skilled workers and employers.

6. What if churchgoers nationwide believed they had a unique role in advancing the common good? 

The United States has more than 350,000 churches. Imagine the force for good if pastors and church leaders could motivate and empower their congregations to do more for their communities.

Made to Flourish equips pastors and leaders across the nation with resources to help congregants integrate theological wisdom into their everyday work. By guiding spiritual leaders to highlight each congregant’s unique role in advancing the common good, Made to Flourish celebrates the value of individual labor and economic contributions, fostering a stronger church community committed to living out the gospel in all areas of life.

7. What if more children learned to take healthy risks and embrace failure?

Children are often more creative than adults, but standardized curriculums and tests can stifle this creativity. It doesn’t have to be this way.

VentureLab seeks to nurture diverse innovators by making entrepreneurial education accessible to youth. The program encourages students to apply their learning to real-world situations, transforming failure and adversity into opportunities for growth. As a result, 88% of participants reported increased confidence, and 87% learned to embrace failure.

8. What if young girls felt empowered to excel in computer science and entrepreneurship?

Talent gaps in tech industries are impacting businesses and the economy. 

Through research, Code Girls United has found that women can be a powerful source of tech talent. Up to 69% of growth in the computing pipeline would come from women if we were to influence the paths of the youngest girls, especially junior high students. 

The organization’s free after-school STEM programs for rural and tribal communities teach technical and social-emotional skills, empowering girls in computer science and entrepreneurship while building confidence in traditionally male-dominated fields.

9. What if more individuals were equipped to meet their own needs while giving back to the community?

A community lacking skilled, motivated individuals will eventually wither, as was happening in Blue Island, Illinois. 

Hope Center is revitalizing the area by providing resources and educational opportunities, empowering residents to meet their needs and give back. Focusing on technology, agriculture, and auto mechanics, the center harnesses local talents and reinvests their services and products into the community, creating a virtuous cycle of mutual benefit. 

As the saying goes, “Teach a man to fish, and he eats for a lifetime.” Hope Center is teaching the entire community to fish and to value their personal impact.

10. What if every young person had the opportunity to play their favorite sport? 

Sadly, resources matter when it comes to childhood experiences. It can be seen especially in the world of children’s sports, which is stratifying into the “haves” and “have nots.”

Good Sports promotes equitable access to youth sports and physical activity, ensuring that children in high-need communities have opportunities to develop vital mental, physical, social, and emotional health. By partnering with the sporting goods industry, Good Sports provides brand-new equipment to youth programs nationwide, equipping them with the resources needed to expand healthy movement opportunities and enhance the experience for all participants.

11. What if every young person could run their own successful business?

Discovering, developing, and deploying unique gifts and talents are key to shaping successful entrepreneurs and fostering a strong work ethic. 

The Noble Truth Project helps Black youth reach their potential through after-school academic support and youth entrepreneurship programs. Its flagship initiative, Glaciers Ice, mentors and trains participants to run their own successful Italian ice cart business. This program offers a paid internship, teaching essential financial literacy and business management skills and providing valuable hands-on learning and character development.

12. What if we supported people in incarceration before and after their release?

The United States has the highest recidivism rates globally, largely due to the challenges formerly incarcerated individuals face in reentering society. 

Breakthrough Alliance of Colorado aids their reintegration with an inside-out model, starting with in-prison education on character development, career readiness, and entrepreneurship. Volunteers play a crucial role in this process, developing empathy as they work in person with justice-impacted individuals, often becoming advocates for them in the community.

Breakthrough also offers comprehensive, lifelong reentry support and collaborates with local partners to address critical stability needs upon release, including transportation, mental health treatment, housing, clothing, and food.

Participants have a recidivism rate of 6%, compared to Colorado’s average of 45%. 

13. What if we all asked, ‘If not me, then who?’ a little more?

Veterans have distinct life and learning experiences that uniquely prepare them to make valuable contributions to their communities. They just don’t always know how to do that. 

The Travis Manion Foundation empowers veterans and families of the fallen to shape the character of future generations. TMF aims to unite and strengthen communities by training, developing, and showcasing the role models who lead them. Veterans and families of the fallen play a central role in TMF’s programs, leading service initiatives and mentoring youth across the nation, inspiring them to embrace the “If not me, then who…” ethos in their lives and communities.

Stand Together Foundation partners with the nation’s most transformative nonprofits to break the cycle of poverty.

Learn more about Stand Together’s top issue areas and explore ways you can partner with us.