SP
Community engagement and power shifting are not the same. In this second post of the series, Jasmine Williams-Washington examines when participation is appropriate and when institutions must share real decisionmaking authority. Through practical examples and reflections from philanthropy and public systems, the article explores how organizations can align responsibility, authority, and trust in community change.
Engagement brings community voice into decisions. Power shifting changes who decides.
Polarization and disconnection are real—but “sense of community” doesn’t have to be a vague ideal. See how Community Science measures belonging, influence, and connection—and turns the results into practical strategies that help partners target resources, bridge divides, and track progress over time.
Public life feels exhausting in an era of polarization and isolation. This piece argues that “community” isn’t sentimental—it’s a practical, evidence-based strategy for strengthening well-being and civic resilience. Drawing on research about belonging, influence, and shared connection, it shows how diverse people can work together on common needs—even in unlikely places.
Civil society is under pressure — trust is declining, advocacy is weakening, and communities are increasingly fragmented. This blog explores how the social sector can rebuild collective power through trust, movement-building, coordinated action, and deep community engagement.
Last month, we partnered with Washington State's Department of Ecology to deliver a workshop on trauma-informed practices for transformative community engagement. The session brought together more than 60 Ecology staff across programs, and the energy was palpable. Participants were engaged, asked powerful questions, and shared a strong desire for continued learning. Many reflected on how the tools we shared helped them think differently about building trust, navigating harm, and showing…
