Stand Together

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Stand Together

Stand Together is a philanthropic community tackling the root causes of America’s biggest problems.

09/30/2026

Two-thirds of Americans are dissatisfied with the state of education.

But, for decades, education reform struggled to break through a system built around standardization. Then something changed: new policies expanded choice while thousands of educators and entrepreneurs began creating new ways to learn. Jorge Lima of Stand Together explores how these shifts came together.

VELA | yes. every kid.

09/29/2026

What happens when states have more room to create opportunity?

The Constitution divides power between the federal government and the states—giving Washington responsibility for national matters while preserving states’ authority over many decisions that shape daily life.

Stand Together supports changemakers working to tackle the root causes of America’s biggest problems. See what the Federalism Scorecard from measures, and what states can teach the country about the balance of power: https://bit.ly/4dZ29rp

09/25/2026

The mental health system wasn't built for 2 a.m.

Support today frequently runs on appointments and provider availability — fine for scheduled care, but it lacks flexibility when people actually need it, like a racing mind late at night. Even with thousands of wellness apps, the burden falls on the individual to figure out what might actually help.

Two companies, and , are trying to close that gap. Backed by Stand Together Ventures Lab, they are challenging the status quo and expanding the possibility for more personalized self-care options instead of one-size-fits-all structure.

Read the full article with the companies’ founders Steve Lee and Amy Wu: https://bit.ly/4yOF4zG

09/21/2026

Many Americans want to make a difference in their communities. The challenge is not always willingness—it is finding an opportunity that fits their lives.

Army of Normal Folks is redefining service with a six pilot programs across the U.S. At the heart of each club is a core premise: service can strengthen a community—and help people find connection within it.

Read the full story: https://bit.ly/4y9vXda

09/17/2026

A strong democracy needs more than a Constitution. It needs people who believe they have a role in shaping their communities and their country. That’s why Abigail Adams’ story is worth revisiting on .

During the American Revolution, Adams followed the debates shaping the new nation and challenged its leaders to build a more inclusive vision of liberty. In 1776, she urged her husband, John Adams, to “Remember the Ladies”—asking who would have a voice, representation, and a real stake in self-government.

Her example shows what civic participation can look like: stay curious, question assumptions, and speak up when you believe something can be better.

Read more about Abigail Adams’ letters: https://bit.ly/4yDTa6Z

09/15/2026

With Constitution Day coming up, it’s a good time to revisit the people and experiences that helped form the ideas behind our system of self-government.

Young Washington brings that history to life, exploring the experiences – including some significant mistakes – that shaped George Washington long before he became the nation’s first President.

Because understanding civics isn’t just about knowing how our government works. It’s also about understanding the ideas, choices, and people that helped shape it.

Watch the full film discussion featuring director Jon Erwin and historians, plus explore the life and times of George Washington with the The Bill of Rights Institute: https://billofrightsinstitute.org/young-washington-resources/

09/14/2026

Civics education isn’t just about memorizing how government works. It’s about understanding how to participate in it.

At a time when trust in many American institutions is low, 80% of Americans say schools should place more emphasis on civics education. The question is: how do we make it practical, relevant, and engaging?

Programs like American Exchange Project and Kids Markets are giving students opportunities to practice the skills civic life requires: listening to different perspectives, taking initiative, solving problems, and recognizing that they have something valuable to contribute.

As we approach Constitution Day, that’s worth remembering. Self-government depends on people who see themselves not just as citizens, but as participants in shaping the future of their communities.

Read more: https://bit.ly/46sgIzN

09/11/2026

What changes when organizations listen before they decide?

When Travis Manion Foundation, a nonprofit serving veterans and families of the fallen, acquired The Mission Continues, it faced a consequential question: which programs should continue?

Organizations make decisions like this every day. They can determine an answer internally—or ask the people with firsthand experience what they value and why.

TMF chose the latter. “We don’t go to a community and dictate what we should be doing there,” said Ed Donovan, the organization’s senior director of marketing and communications.

By asking veterans directly, TMF learned how central one program was to many participants’ experience. The feedback helped make the program a priority and surfaced ideas for what could come next.

That is what bottom-up empowerment can look like: Invest in people, listen to those closest to the work, and create meaningful ways for them to contribute.

Read the full story at: https://bit.ly/4h4Lu6M

09/10/2026

What does civic engagement look like in practice? Sometimes, it starts with one small step.

At the Great American State Fair, Americans for Prosperity’s campaign celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, One Small Step, encouraged visitors to read and sign the Declaration of Independence, talk about America’s founding principles, and consider how those ideas can show up in their own communities and daily lives.

The takeaway was simple. Civics doesn’t have to feel distant or abstract. It can start with a conversation, a question, or one decision to get involved.

See more from the Great American State Fair in our latest photo essay: https://bit.ly/4A52JgJ

09/02/2026

The talent employers need may be closer than they think.

Across industries, traditional hiring practices can exclude capable people based on a missing degree, a nonlinear resume or barriers outside the workplace. But a growing number of organizations are taking a different approach: investing in potential.

Stand Together partners with employers and workforce organizations like Iren, Stadler, and Cara Chicago, because when hiring is designed around potential instead of pedigree, more people find their way into meaningful work.

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4201 Wilson Boulevard
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https://www.standtogether.org/

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