PACE (Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement) is a community of funders working together to strengthen American democracy through active civic participation. We learn with purpose, collaborate across differences, and experiment boldly to advance freedom, fairness, and belonging for all.
Vision
PACE funders believe democracy flourishes when people are empowered, engaged, and united in pursuit of the common good.
We strive for a future where all Americans feel connected, take responsibility for protecting and regenerating democracy, and contribute to the health of our country and the vitality of our communities.
Mission
PACE is a community of funders working together to strengthen American democracy through active civic participation. We learn with purpose, collaborate across differences, and experiment boldly to advance freedom, fairness, and belonging for all.
Values
As we work together, the PACE network is guided by these values:
Learning with Purpose: We approach learning with open minds and curiosity, aiming to discover insights that enhance funders’ work and help communities and democracy thrive.
Collaborating across Differences: We create space for diverse viewpoints and proactively seek partnerships with those who see the world differently. In doing so, we practice pluralism—the cornerstone of a healthy democracy and civic culture.
Experimenting Boldly: We embrace thoughtful experimentation and innovation in overlooked areas of civic participation and democracy. Knowing that not every problem has a ready-made solution, we meet uncertainty with creativity and a willingness to take smart risks.
Creating Community: We nurture relationships and care for one another, knowing that time together strengthens our resolve, renews our spirit, and sustains us for the hard work of defending our freedoms and shaping a better future.
Leading with Courage: We act with integrity and take principled stands for fairness, liberty, and equality. We show courage not only in what we say, but in how we listen, share power, and make decisions with the communities we serve.
5-Year Goal
By 2030, PACE will be the indispensable home for funders who embrace fearless experimentation and boundary-crossing collaboration to renew American democracy and civic life. Our goal is for every PACE member to experience transformational connections, with 100% deeply engaged in learning and at least 25% joining forces through action coalitions by the end of this strategic plan.
Through these efforts, PACE will empower philanthropy to become a more agile, imaginative, and courageous force—one that invests in citizen engagement as the foundation of a resilient democracy where all Americans belong and thrive.
How We Will Get There and What We Will Do Next
Strategic Priorities
1. Increase Member Engagement
Provide transformational experiences for all community members while growing with intention. PACE will strategically support each member; create spaces for immersive learning; nurture collaborations between national, regional, and local members; and offer opportunities for collective action—ensuring that every member is meaningfully engaged in network activities. At the same time, PACE will extend support to underserved, place-based, and civic-adjacent funders that want to contribute to the country’s democratic renewal and are looking for a welcoming space for peer learning and experimentation.
2. Build Coalitions for Action
Catalyze and scale action coalitions that unite funders across ideological, geographic, generational, and sectoral differences. PACE will help funders move through chaos and confusion towards clear, decisive, and disciplined action and leadership. We will do so by providing a platform for funders to collaborate on near-, medium-, and long-term efforts to bolster the key pillars of constitutional governance, increase civic participation, and reimagine the future of democracy.
3. Strengthen the Civic Field
Serve as a trusted thought leader and convener in civic philanthropy. PACE will generate evidence and data, leverage insights from experts and researchers, offer practical tools, and track developments in the democracy ecosystem and political environment. In doing so, we will equip funders to navigate complexity, respond to crises and opportunities, and invest strategically in America’s democratic future.
4. Shape a Unifying Civic Narrative
Amplify an overarching civic story to rekindle Americans’ patriotism and dedication to democratic norms. With our strategic communication and social change partners, PACE will invest in developing, testing, and sharing narrative resources that deepen Americans’ connection to the freedoms and values essential to a thriving republic and healthy civic culture. PACE will also update and expand its civic language research, refreshing our guidance on how to communicate effectively across differences.
Evolution of PACE
Since 2005, PACE has led efforts to promote philanthropic investment in civic engagement and American democracy. What began as a small affinity group for funders curious about citizen participation and service has grown into a trusted, nationwide platform for philanthropic learning and collaboration.
In 2020, PACE took a major leap forward, transforming into a philanthropic laboratory that embraced experimentation and prioritized learning that is both participatory and actionable. During this phase, PACE generated practical tools, hosted conversations that built bridges across differences, and produced new knowledge through projects like the Civic Language Perceptions Project. This spirit of experimentation grew the network fourfold and strengthened PACE’s role as a connector between ideas and action.
Our commitment to learning with purpose is as relevant today as it was in 2020. However, in the intervening years, the fragmentation of our civic culture and strain on our democratic system have become far more acute. In this next strategic period, PACE will equip and activate funders to reverse these trends, igniting a new era of civic participation and opportunity.
