Revitalizing the nation’s civic health

At a time when we should be coming together to make our communities stronger and solve big challenges, Americans are feeling increasingly divided, uncertain about the future, and skeptical of democracy’s promises. The University of Washington is committed to revitalizing the nation’s civic health by fostering collaboration and engagement in local communities. By strengthening civic participation and public institutions, we can build a more connected and effective society, capable of addressing the challenges we face and creating a stronger and healthier democracy.

To accelerate a movement that revitalizes civic health and refreshes democratic institutions across the country, we must first demonstrate our ability to work effectively within Washington’s communities and neighborhoods. The University of Washington is uniquely positioned to advance this work, with a track record as a nonpartisan, trusted partner in solving problems at the state and local level, supported by a strong network of partners throughout Washington’s counties, municipalities, school districts and more. 

To better apply our resources and deepen our relationships, the Civic Health Initiative is investing in building civic infrastructure through enhancing pathways for students, amplifying research in practice, and scaling advances in technology, and supporting activities across Washington that strengthen our civic life.