Civic Bridgers’ Theory of Change
Overview: Our Theory of Change
In response to a society increasingly divided by "fences" of ideology and identity, we strengthen democracy by preparing emerging leaders to become Civic Bridgers who create "wells" of pluralism - spaces where people come together across differences - through training in and modeling of humanity, humility, and accountability in both civic and private life.
The Challenge
American democracy faces a self-reinforcing cycle of civic disengagement and institutional distrust. As people withdraw from public life, institutions become more vulnerable to corruption and incompetence, which further reduces participation. This cycle is exacerbated by a "Fence Model" of society, where belonging is defined by strict adherence to specific ideologies or identities, leading to echo chambers and deepening polarization.
Because of this interplay between public institutions and civic engagement, most organizations work to heal polarization by strengthening institutions. This is critical work. Other groups focus on strengthening dialogues – helping people come to a better place of understanding. This matters too. Our approach is complementary: We build Bridgers who translate understanding into civic action, rebuilding trust in both institutions and each other.
Our Approach: The Well Model
We believe that democracy thrives when people come together around "wells" of pluralism rather than behind "fences" of ideology. Just as water sustains life, exposure to multiple perspectives strengthens decision-making and prevents authoritarianism. While humans naturally create "fences" — rules that define who’s in and who’s out of any given group — a thriving democracy requires "wells" where people come together across these dividing lines.
For this reason, pluralism (a political theory that affirms the value of multiple viewpoints) is at the center of everything we do – it is our “well.”
Our “Well Model” stands in contrast to the “Fence Model” that humans typically use to find belonging. In a Fence Model, people engage with one another in closed circles based on adherence to rules, qualifications, identities, values, or ideologies. Although fences can be helpful when they sustain institutions and strengthen social relationships, they have increasingly become mechanisms for enforcing conformity within groups and increasing enmity of “outsiders.” Social psychologist Peter T. Coleman writes, “In demanding situations, we tend to fractionalize more, trusting smaller circles of people, splitting into tinier subgroups, and shrinking our moral scope of people we see as deserving of fair treatment.” In other words, the fences grow taller, tighter, and less tolerant.
All societies have fences – tribalism and groupishness are an inherent part of human existence – but a thriving democracy requires wells where people come together to remember their common humanity, broaden their perspective, and make decisions that meet diverse needs.
As individuals, Bridgers prioritize pluralism as the “well” for positive change rather than defining or enforcing “fences” – rules that codify which ideologies or identities are allowed or prohibited. This does not mean that “anything goes” in the work of bridging. To the contrary, Civic Bridgers have boundaries, but those boundaries are clear because the center – pluralism – is clear. In a community where participants embrace differences, there is no space for dehumanization, enforced ideologies or values, or strict dualism.
The Well Model in Action
Young leaders are uniquely positioned to drive this change. They bring fresh perspectives, technological fluency, and openness to new ways of thinking. Many have lived experience bridging multiple cultures and identities. Most importantly, they have the energy and optimism to imagine and work toward a different kind of civic culture - one built on wells rather than fences.
Through intensive training and real-world practice, we develop young leaders in the skills and mindsets needed to be effective Civic Bridgers. These emerging leaders start by practicing bridge-building in their immediate spheres - their schools, neighborhoods, and local organizations. They learn to facilitate difficult conversations, organize inclusive community events, and build coalitions around shared challenges.
We develop Civic Bridgers who:
Actively participate in public life as champions of pluralism
Create opportunities for positive contact across group boundaries
Model three core norms in both civic and private life:
Humanity: Recognizing the equal inherent worth of all people while acknowledging human imperfection
Humility: Seeking understanding across different ways of knowing and embracing uncertainty
Accountability: Taking responsibility for how individual actions affect the common good
As their skills grow, Bridgers create ripple effects by establishing new "wells" of connection - from informal gathering spaces to structured dialogue groups to collaborative community projects. Their example inspires others, gradually shifting cultural norms toward bridge-building. Where they lead, institutions follow: local governments begin incorporating diverse perspectives, organizations reach across traditional boundaries, and communities develop more inclusive decision-making processes.
By leading from a Wells Model that advances humanity, humility, and accountability, Civic Bridgers create a revival of pluralism that heals polarization and strengthens democratic institutions.
