The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation is creating a counterforce in society powered by community-led change. Our task is to get on a more equitable, fair, just, inclusive, and hopeful path forward. Join us.

 Turn Outward. Get In Motion. Start Small to go big.

The Harwood Institute is part of a long tradition of small, catalytic organizations throughout American history that have worked to strengthen and advance our society to create a more hopeful future for all. For over 30 years, we have created breakthroughs on how to address the hardest and most vital societal challenges and strengthen our civic culture.
 

30 years. 50 states. 40 countries. 

We know what it takes, in practical ways, to create change. Our approach is based on over 30 years of on-the-ground experience, rigorous research, and constant innovation. The Harwood Institute’s ideas and practices have spread to all 50 states and over 40 countries around the world.
 

Our Impact →          Our Approach →          Our Partners →

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Where It Started

RICH HARWOOD, PRESIDENT & FOUNDER

Author. Speaker. Innovator.

What started in 1988 in Rich Harwood’s one-bedroom apartment in Washington, D.C., has grown into a practice and philosophy that is spreading worldwide. Rich has invested his career in revitalizing the nation’s hardest-hit communities, transforming the world’s largest organizations and reconnecting institutions like newsrooms and schools to society.

Rich's Story →     Rich's Blog →

Step Forward and Unleash Change

Many of us are frustrated by the divisive nature of our public discourse, mistrust and broken promises. We lack hope that we can bridge our divides, come together and get things done. Stepping Forward: A Positive, Practical Path to Transform Our Communities and Our Lives shows us how to channel our frustrations, energies, and aspirations to get on a more hopeful path.

 

Rich Harwood’s newest book, Unleashed: A Proven Way Communities Can Spread Change and Make Hope Real For All, published by Kettering Foundation Press, is available now! This book isn’t theoretical; it’s based on the Institute’s 30-year impact study of our work in 9 communities and reveals how communities can unleash a chain reaction to tackle society’s fault lines and strengthen their civic culture.

Featured

One of Florida’s poorest counties shows America the way forward

Rich’s latest entry for The Fulcrum about the Enough. Time to Build. campaign delves into what he learned in conversation with leaders in DeSoto county, and how they can serve as an example for American communities looking for a new way forward.

Reading, PA is Proof We Can Build Together Again

It can sound trite to say, “I’m so proud to be associated with you.” I’m sure you’ve felt this way at some point, right? 

But when the moment comes when that feeling is real—really real—you experience a kind of transcendence. Standing before folks in Reading, PA this past week, that’s how I felt. 

No More Hiding. It’s Time to Build.

“Remember, your mission is to hide from me…. If you’re in the open, you don’t want to look human.” All across our country, people are seeking to hide from others in one way or another. But can we create the communities and society we aspire to if we are in hiding?

Building the Public Square

Rich appeared on the award-winning Future Hindsight podcast where he and host Mila Atmos discussed how “Citizens and Politics” report put The Harwood Institute on the map in 1990, our "Enough. Time to Build." campaign, and inspiring stories of change from communities like Reading, PA and Clark County, KY.