Democracy and civic engagement Archives

Five Minutes with… Stacey Abrams on why health equity starts close to home

Posted on May 20, 2026May 21, 2026 by Brianna Provenzano

For years, Stacey Abrams has been one of America’s most recognizable champions for expanding access to the ballot box, to economic opportunity, and to the systems that shape who gets to thrive. A former Georgia House minority leader, two-time gubernatorial candidate, bestselling author, and founder of organizations including Fair Fight and American Pride Rises, Abrams has built a national profile by connecting the dots between structural inequities and the everyday lives they shape.

That same desire to expand access is what animates Close to Home: a new health equity initiative from American Pride Rises designed to help people better understand how wellness is shaped by policy, place, and the everyday pressures we all face. Alongside a public education campaign, the initiative also pairs storytelling and resource-sharing with a 2026 health equity microgrant program designed to surface community-driven solutions.

In this installment of Five Minutes With…, NationSwell asked Abrams to reflect on why health equity belongs in the same conversation as democracy and economic mobility; what makes such an initiative remarkable in a moment when even the language of equity is under attack; and what she hopes funders, business leaders, and civic institutions will do to bring this work close to their own homes.

NationSwell: In the simplest terms, what is “Close to Home,” and why did American Pride Rises want to make health equity one of its flagship fights right now?

Stacey Abrams, founder of American Pride Rises: American Pride Rises focuses on DEI in our everyday lives, and one of the most important and high impact places where DEI has been critical is in the healthcare space. The Close to Home campaign is focused on how we can best surface, understand, and invest in community-driven solutions that reflect the lived healthcare experiences of the most impacted communities.

Put more simply, the Close to Home campaign is a place to understand how health connects to our daily lives and to one another through the lens of DEI.

NationSwell: The name “Close to Home” is significant. What does that phrase mean to you, and how does it help people understand how inequity actually shows up in everyday life?

Abrams, APR: We know that health equity is a fairly misunderstood issue. It often feels like something that’s being done to you; as if your access to healthcare is shaped by Washington, D.C., that your access to a hospital is being changed by your state, or that your access to a fair chance at good health is being determined by your background or your zip code. What we want to do is say that it is close to home, it is your community, it is your family, but if the problems are there, so are the solutions.

At the same time, we also want folks to understand that these health outcomes, these challenges, are not personal: It’s close to home, but it’s not you. So many of us are made to believe that a poor health outcome is a personal failure, and Close to Home is designed to help us understand the gaps that exist in access, and between people and opportunities, and that the solutions are close to home.

NationSwell: Close to Home seems designed to do three things at once: public education, community-based microgrants, and policy advocacy. How do those pieces work together, and why was it important to build an initiative that operates across all three?

Abrams, APR: First and foremost, we have to understand the systemic failure that has led to the healthcare crisis. We’re talking about communities that face barriers to preventive care, higher rates of chronic illness, environmental hazards, and rising healthcare costs, and all of that can be traced back to what you know, who you know, how much things cost, and who’s in charge. That’s why we always say it comes back to education, economics, and elections.

On the education side, we are stronger when we understand what we’re facing. Too many Americans of all backgrounds are experiencing persistent health challenges because of gaps in access to care. And that’s part of the onus of DEI: understanding that diversity means all people, equity means fair access to opportunity, and inclusion means respect for belonging — especially when it comes to healthcare.

So the education piece is about making sure people know what they’re entitled to and understand the barriers they face. The microgrants are the economic piece. We know that, at scale, it’s going to take public policy to solve these problems — but close to home, we are already incubating and ideating solutions. One of the most important things we want to lift up is that wherever you live, you probably have a neighbor, a friend, or a community member who’s thinking about how to make life better and improve access to healthcare.

The intention of the microgrants is to invest in those ideas. Because of the attacks on DEI and the attacks on the Affordable Care Act, resources that could make us stronger are instead making us sicker, more divided, and more vulnerable. So the microgrants are really about investing in communities to surface extraordinary ideas, test those experiments, and then say: based on what we now know, let’s build systems that can scale them.

And that leads to the third piece: policy. It is a political decision to undermine public health infrastructure. It is a political decision to use executive orders to attack equity in healthcare. It is a policy decision to roll back protections for women’s bodily autonomy, and to undermine care for communities facing the AIDS and HIV epidemic.

These are policy decisions, and therefore it is our responsibility to advocate for the policies that can make us healthier, help unite us, and strengthen not only those most directly impacted, but the communities they’re part of. We all win, regardless of where we start, when we solve healthcare inequity.

NationSwell: What feels differentiated about the approach American Pride Rises is taking here, particularly in a moment when even the language of equity is under attack?

Abrams, APR: We begin with the belief that we have to understand what we face. And to your very first question about what “Close to Home” means, we know that the language we hear helps shape what we believe we’re entitled to. That’s why we’re focusing on the language of “Close to Home”: because we want people to understand that this is an everyday issue. It’s not remote. It’s about you, your loved ones, and your community. For us, it’s about helping people understand how the values of DEI improve health outcomes for all communities.

We’re talking about providers who are trained to deliver competent care based on your cultural needs. For example, we know that men can experience PSA levels differently in ways that affect whether prostate cancer is detected. That’s culturally competent care. And that doesn’t care about who you are; it cares about what biology tells us about your health needs. We know that women, especially women going through menopause, have very specific needs, and that policies should be designed around the people most impacted. We know that rural communities often have less access to healthcare simply because of geography.

So part of our intention is to use language that helps people understand that diversity isn’t a curse. It is one of the superpowers of our society, but it can only work if we understand how it can be used for us, or weaponized against us.

NationSwell: When you look at the communities this initiative is meant to serve, what do you see as the most overlooked drivers of health inequity — the forces upstream from the doctor’s office that too many leaders still treat as separate from “health”?

Abrams, APR: Well, let’s just start with the current administration’s decisions: We began with the slashing of federal funding for healthcare, and we saw this administration double healthcare premiums for 20 million Americans and kick 14 million people off their coverage in order to fund a permanent tax handout for the top 1%.

That has real consequences, because those are still people who are going to show up in our hospitals. They’re still going to show up in urgent care, but they’re not going to have the care they need. And there’s a cost to every American. We don’t often think about this, but when someone goes to the hospital and can’t afford care, the hospital absorbs that as uncompensated care and then passes those costs along to everyone else. One of the realities is that our affordability crisis is caused, in part, by our broken healthcare system.

You can’t afford to get what you need because when you do get support, you’re being charged more than you should. Number two: this administration also cut environmental justice investments. That may sound esoteric, until you realize what it actually means: they cut efforts to address the health burdens facing vulnerable communities, including communities living with high levels of pollution. When you roll back environmental protections, you create an environmental hazard that becomes a healthcare cost.

And then there’s something very close to me, and to where I live in Georgia: we have one of the worst maternal mortality rates in the nation. But this is not endemic to Georgia, and it’s not endemic to the South. When maternal mortality rises, it’s not just healthcare costs that go up, the economic costs to the entire community go up as well. There are real economic harms that come with persistent health challenges.

We are all made stronger when we have a public health infrastructure that goes beyond the medicine we’re given and extends into the communities we live in.

NationSwell: At a time when many institutions are retreating from equity language or narrowing their ambitions, what does it look like to make the case for health equity in a way that is both morally clear and broadly resonant?

Abrams, APR: I was having a conversation with someone earlier today who asked me, “Why do you talk about DEI and equity so brazenly?” And I said it comes down to two things. First, when we adapt our language, we change our minds. That’s not always a bad thing; sometimes we change our language because we’ve learned something new. New language can help us evolve our thinking, but that same dynamic can also be used against us.

So when it comes to the attacks on DEI, my question is always: Which letter don’t you agree with? Do you oppose diversity? Are you offended by equity? Are you afraid of inclusion? What part is problematic? Equity simply means fair access to opportunity. And in healthcare, equity means understanding that when one person is healthier — when a system is healthier — we all benefit.

That goes back to a fundamental recognition: too many of us have been trained to believe that broken healthcare is a personal failing, that our needs are simply the result of individual choices. But health is shaped by the places we call home. It’s shaped by the work we do. It’s shaped by the pressures we face. It’s shaped by what we can afford.

That’s why it’s so important to talk about health equity and to talk about DEI. Because when we internalize that language, we also internalize the power to know that things can be made better. The attacks on DEI are not happening because DEI has failed. They’re happening because DEI has been working — because Americans of all backgrounds were getting better access and a fairer shot at living healthy, thriving lives.

Those who oppose it demonized the language. So for me, it is a power move to keep using it, because when we own the language, we own the narrative. And the narrative should be that everyone in this country deserves a fair shot at living a healthy and thriving life, no matter where they are — but especially close to home.

NationSwell: You’ve spent so much of your career expanding access to power in democracy, in the economy, in public life. Why does health equity belong in that same conversation?

Abrams, APR: I grew up in southern Mississippi. I used to be on the debate team when I was young, and when we’d pass through Louisiana, we would drive through what was known as “Cancer Alley.” The fact that there was a nationally recognized name for an entire community defined by environmental harm was devastating. What it said was that, in pursuit of revenue, it was acceptable for industry to poison a whole community. And that community was predominantly Black and predominantly poor.

My family did not have health insurance. When we got sick, prayer was our best option — and then Tylenol. Those should not be the choices we have to make. My dad fell off scaffolding and broke his back in an on-the-job accident, but his employer refused to pay for it. So my parents had to figure out how to cover extraordinary medical bills while also fighting a legal system that ignored my father because of his race.

Now my parents are older, and they’re grappling with healthcare issues again. But the difference is: now they have health insurance, and now they have a daughter who knows who to call and has the ability to open doors. What I can do on an individual level for my parents today should be available to every person, for every member of their family, every day.

Equity is about fair access. I should not have more access simply because more people know my name. This comes close to home for me because I cannot believe in a democracy that is real if it does not include all people.

NationSwell: If you could leave corporate leaders, funders, and civic institutions with one challenge as they think about their own role in health equity, what would you want them to do differently? How could they start the work close to home?

Abrams, APR: A healthy workforce is the least expensive form of labor. At the most basic economic level, it is better for industry and better for companies to have a healthy workforce. People work faster, they work better, and they’re not stressed about the next accident or the next mistake. So at a very basic level, it’s in the interest of business leaders to want a healthcare system that works for all of us.

At the societal level, we know that DEI helps ensure the healthcare system reflects real communities — that we have providers trained to deliver culturally competent care, and that policies are designed around the people most impacted. When we invest in DEI and healthcare, we build systems that work better for everyone. When we solve healthcare problems for the most vulnerable or the most complex cases, there’s a follow-on benefit for everyone else.

And ultimately, in a democracy, business does better when people can afford to invest, afford to come to work, and afford to value your products. “Close to Home” is about connecting those dots and making sure we are building healthier, more equitable communities everywhere we go, and supporting the ideas that actually lift us up.

Companies already know from the data that when people do better, they are more productive, more engaged, and stronger community members. So at the individual, corporate, and societal level, health equity makes us all richer.

Building Good Governance to Power Collective Impact

Posted on March 11, 2026May 26, 2026 by Brianna Provenzano

Collaboration is only as strong as the structure behind it. When priorities shift, leadership changes, or tough tradeoffs arise, collective impact efforts can be put at risk unless stabilized by good governance. The initiatives that endure look different. They build governance systems that clarify roles, set decision rules, distribute authority, and manage accountability with discipline.

During a virtual Leader Roundtable on March 5, NationSwell convened impact leaders from business, philanthropy, and nonprofits to dig into what “best-in-class governance” actually looks like in cross-sector collaboration today. Some of the most salient insights from that discussion appear below:

Key takeaways

Clarified expectations and roles require transparency at the outset of a collaborative effort. In collaboratives that represent the interests of a broader community, don’t be shy about overcommunicating about what participation will entail from the outset of the effort. Being explicit on the front end about things like time commitments, decision-making authority, and what kind of representation is needed helps prevent misalignment and helps partners understand both the opportunity and responsibility of participation.

Ensure governance bodies include leaders capable of acting at a systems level. Not every forum is designed for broad participation. Governance groups are most effective when members have the authority, perspective, and institutional backing to move ideas into action within complex systems.

Clearly distinguish between advisory voices and decision-making bodies. Successful collaboratives often separate broad community engagement from formal governance. The delineation allows initiatives to incorporate diverse perspectives while ensuring decisions can be made efficiently by a defined leadership group.

Design governance structures that enable action, not bureaucracy. Governance should create clarity and accountability without slowing momentum. Clear decision pathways and defined roles helps partners move quickly while maintaining shared responsibilities.

Invest in backbone organizations to coordinate complex partnerships. Large collaboratives benefit from a dedicated coordinating entity responsible for facilitation, communication, and operational alignment. This backbone function helps maintain momentum while allowing partners to focus on their specific contributions.

Revisit governance structures as collaborations evolve. Many initiatives begin informally, but as they grow in scope and complexity, clearer governance becomes essential. Periodically reassessing roles, processes, and decision rights helps ensure structures remain fit for purpose.

Balance urgency with long-term stewardship. In moments of volatility and uncertainty, leaders often feel pressure to act quickly. Thoughtful governance provides the discipline needed to move decisively while protecting long-term collaboration and shared goals.

100 Years of Black History Month: Honoring the Black Leaders Who Shape Us

Posted on February 27, 2026May 26, 2026 by Brianna Provenzano

To mark the 100-year anniversary of Black History Month, NationSwell hosted a virtual Leader Roundtable on February 26 designed to center Black history and Black leadership and the ways they shape our pursuit of a more equitable future.

Together, participants reflected on the quiet power embedded in everyday acts of resistance: the courage to attempt what feels daunting, the resolve to persevere through challenges, and the determination to assert agency in an increasingly polarized context. Collectively, the group’s reflections reinforced a shared point: preserving Black history — and the leaders, mentors, colleagues, and community leaders who comprise it — is preserving history itself.

A few of the most salient takeaways from the discussion appear below:

Redefine and reclaim power in all its dimensions. Power is not one dimensional, nor is it embodied solely in one person. It is communal, moral, economic, political, spiritual, and cultural. Understanding power expands how we build and wield it.

Honor quiet power as transformational. Not all acts of power result in visible systems change. Sometimes power looks like someone seeing themselves as capable of something which was otherwise unimaginable. Quiet power is sparking agency and resistance in your day-to-day life. These moments may not make headlines, but they fundamentally reshape our reality and futures.

Recognize that community is the architecture of power. From HBCU legacies to generations of inventors, educators, organizers, and creatives, Black innovation has always been collective and cross-sector. Power is layered, shared, and sustained through the institutions, movements, and cultural ecosystems we create.

Reject erasure by telling the full story. The attack on Black history is not simply about removing dates or names from memories; it is about shaping moral narratives. In order to preserve history, we must underscore the importance of storytelling as an act of power. As the African proverb reminds us, “Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.”

Harness creativity as a tool for preservation and progress. Reducing harm requires creative intervention and innovation. In a moment where history is threatened by distortion, the charge is to think expansively about what we can do to safeguard it. Creativity is not ornamental to justice work, it is how progress endures.

Use the principles of Sankofa to design our futures. Black history is not static commemoration, rather a blueprint. Sankofa holds us accountable to the power in remembrance; it encourages us to look back to our pasts in order to propel our futures. The courage and ingenuity of ancestors provide both instruction and mandate for curating our realities.

Commit to courageously contributing to Black history now. The work continues amidst various threats to our democracy and freedoms. Progress has always required putting one foot in front of the other in the face of headwinds. Honoring 100 years demands not just remembrance, but renewed courage to wield power with purpose in this new era.

NationSwell op-ed: Reflecting on 100 Years of Black History Month

Posted on February 27, 2026May 26, 2026 by Brianna Provenzano

February 2026 marks a century of observing Black History Month — a milestone that invites remembrances of and reflections on the Black leaders, communities, solutions, and institutions that shape our lives and our work.

To honor those legacies and this anniversary, NationSwell invited a group of Black leaders from across our community to reflect on a forward-looking question: What’s one movement, model, or solution that you are seeing create momentum toward a more just and equitable society today — and what can other leaders be doing to ensure that work can scale or endure?

Although the responses span sectors and strategies, one shared philosophy emerged: Momentum is strongest when communities are trusted and resourced. The answers we received point to the neighbors organizing mutual aid and defending democratic participation; to collective giving models that pool capital and strengthen civic infrastructure; to philanthropy that trusts communities with flexible, long-term investment; to leaders doing the internal work required to lead with accountability.

Although urgency may be the spark that ignites action, the strength of our communities is what sustains it, and Black History Month is an occasion to honor the ancestors and elders, artists and organizers, mentors and managers, and everyday examples of courage and care that form the basis of those communities.

Take a look at some of the responses from across our community below:

Prompt: What’s one movement, model, or solution that you are seeing create momentum toward a more just and equitable society today — and what can other leaders be doing to ensure that work can scale or endure?

“What I’ve seen from my neighbors in Minnesota hasn’t just inspired me — it has moved the nation.

The way ordinary Minnesotans mobilize to take care of one another, and to fight for the American freedoms and values we hold dear, may be making headlines now, but it isn’t new, which is a point of both pain and pride. We saw it after the murder of George Floyd, when grief and outrage drew people to be part of something bigger than any one of us.

Today we’re seeing it following the surge of federal agents into our neighborhoods. Like then, people did not retreat with fear or fury. Instead, they built mutual-aid lifelines: food distribution, rent support, school carpools. They trained as constitutional observers. They documented what they witnessed not to inflame conflict, but to protect rights and de-escalate harm. They marched by the thousands, in sub-zero temperatures. The nation was watching, and what it saw was the best of Minnesota — and of America.

We have been told the surge is ending. And while it is clear that policies or practices have yet to change, the signaled departure is proof that the peaceful pressure worked. Care and accountability carried Minnesota through.

And for leaders who want that civic strength to scale and endure, the mandate is clear: Fund grassroots organizations. Protect democratic participation. Use your voice to tell the truth about what communities are experiencing. Direct capital back into neighborhoods after the headlines fade.

A just society is built from the ground up. By neighbors who refuse to abandon one another, and by leaders who choose to stand with them.”

– Tonya Allen, President, McKnight Foundation

“One movement driving meaningful progress toward a more just and equitable society is collective giving. Across Black communities in America — including my hometown in West Tennessee — there is a longstanding tradition of pooling resources to meet urgent needs, build institutions, and support one another. Today, that tradition is developing into more formal structures such as giving circles and philanthropic collectives, merging cultural legacy with strategic philanthropy.

These models are powerful because they democratize impact. They allow individuals, regardless of social economic status, to participate in thoughtful, community-focused grantmaking. By aligning shared values with pooled resources, collective giving magnifies results beyond what any single donor could achieve alone. It strengthens connections, encourages shared accountability, and enables communities to deploy resources quickly and efficiently. In doing so, it reinforces both social trust and civic infrastructure.

As this movement expands, leaders can help it grow and sustain in two key ways. First, invest in infrastructure organizations that provide education, governance frameworks, and operational support to collective giving networks, as we do through the Fidelity Charitable Catalyst Fund, a grantmaking program led by our Board of Trustees. Second, lead by example. When leaders actively participate in and promote collective giving, they normalize collaborative philanthropy and help it expand and endure.”

– Jacob Pruitt, President, Fidelity Charitable

“Right now, one of the most powerful changes gaining momentum is leaders turning inward and embracing real self‑awareness. Leaders are starting to take that step to not only look within, but to also act on what they learn. That is huge because as leaders, our greatest impact comes from doing this internal work and challenging our own beliefs, assumptions, and misconceptions. That’s where real growth happens and where our power lies to actually drive change across the work we do, now and in the future.

Throughout my career, I have made it a priority to practice a deep level of self-examination because meaningful change only happens when there’s also personal accountability. This self-reflection is what strengthens you as a leader, a family member, and a member of your community. After working with countless leaders, I can honestly say that what separates a good leader from a great one is their willingness to ask questions, seek context, and stay open to being challenged rather than assuming they already understand others. Our willingness as leaders to embrace internal growth strengthens who we are and helps us empower everyone we lead and every community we serve.”

– Olivia Jefferson, Vice President and Executive Director, Best Buy

“One movement I see creating real momentum toward a more just and equitable society is the shift from transactional philanthropy to trust-based, community-informed investment. Across the country, leaders are rethinking who holds power, who defines impact, and who is trusted to lead change. Multi-year general operating support, participatory grantmaking, and deeper listening are not merely technical adjustments — they signal a cultural shift in how institutions relate to communities.

What gives me hope is the recognition that communities closest to the challenges are also closest to the solutions. When we provide grantees with flexibility and respect, we unlock innovation, resilience, and long-term transformation.

At WKKF, this is not new. It reinforces what has long guided our work: meaningful change happens through, as Mr. Kellogg described it, “cooperative planning, intelligent study and group action.” While “trust-based philanthropy” may be a newer sector term, the underlying ethos, following the lead of communities and resourcing their vision, is deeply aligned with our founding values.

For this work to scale and endure, leaders must move beyond rhetoric and align systems, governance structures, risk tolerance, reporting practices, and definitions of success accordingly. Justice is not accelerated by urgency alone; it is sustained by trust, partnership, and shared accountability.”

– Roshell Rinkins, Vice President of Transformation and Organizational Effectiveness, WKKF

“The movement I’m most inspired by is the growing insistence — from HBCUs, community organizers, faith leaders and everyday people — that they are the AI experts who will build the technological future that works for all of us. The Civil Rights Movement didn’t wait for powerful institutions to invite participation. People built parallel structures — freedom schools, legal defense funds, community newspapers — because they understood that if you aren’t at the table shaping the narrative, you become a character in someone else’s story. The same principle applies today. AI is not destiny — it is design. And design reflects the imagination, values, and blind spots of whoever holds the pen. When entire communities are absent from that process, the resulting systems don’t just fail to serve them — they often actively harm them. This is why Omidyar Network partners with organizations like Collab Capital, an Atlanta-based early-stage venture firm investing in the building blocks of shared prosperity and economic parity, and the Black Innovation Alliance — a growing coalition ensuring Black-led startups, innovators and researchers can connect with the capital, talent, and networks they need to scale and shape the future of tech.

Real momentum comes from investing in people who see themselves as protagonists — not end users or data points, but architects. Leaders can accelerate this by funding inclusion before the crisis, by asking what voices are missing from their portfolios, and commissioning diverse design teams as a standard, not a footnote. The decisions made in boardrooms today are shaping the world our grandchildren will inherit.

Let’s make sure they can be proud of what we built.”

– Michele Jawando, President, Omidyar Network

Meeting the Moment: Responding to Events in Minneapolis

Posted on February 6, 2026May 26, 2026 by Brianna Provenzano

The events unfolding in Minneapolis transcend politics, instead tapping the much deeper wells of morality and justice. During a NationSwell “Meet the Moment” conversation, peer leaders on the ground in Minnesota and elsewhere gathered to share what they’re asking, doing, and anticipating during a pivotal moment, and how we can lead at our best for the communities we serve and for the future of our nation. A selection of takeaways from the conversation appears below.

Key takeaways

Center responses on lived experience and local leadership. At times, national narratives can flatten crises. Effective action starts by listening to those on the ground. Local leaders and community organizations best understand the scale, nuance, and human impact, and therefore should shape priorities, messaging, and solutions.

Treat fear as a systemic condition. When people cancel medical care, stop working, and remain confined to their homes, fear becomes a public health, economic, and civic crisis. Responses must restore safety, trust, and dignity alongside legal or policy efforts.

Invest in mutual aid and community infrastructure as essential systems. Grassroots networks delivering food, transportation, and care are critical infrastructure. Sustained funding and coordination can strengthen these systems beyond moments of crisis.

Recognize economic harm as intentional, cascading, and local. Overly aggressive enforcement actions destabilize small businesses, drain municipal budgets, and shift costs to cities and states, especially harming businesses of color. Leaders should frame interference as an economic issue as much as a moral one.

Protect information integrity as a form of community safety. Citizen documentation and local journalism have become vital accountability tools, while misinformation actively endangers people. Supporting trusted media, rapid fact-checking, and responsible data use is now a core leadership responsibility.

Understand and use emerging data to guide action. New polling and research show shifting public sentiment on enforcement, accountability, and institutional power. Leaders should engage proactively with credible data and use it to inform strategy, challenge misinformation, and ground decisions in evidence rather than assumptions about public opinion.

Be explicit about structural limits and push responsibility upward. Cities and states face material legal and fiscal constraints while absorbing the consequences of federal action. Effective leadership requires coordinated pressure at the federal level, not expecting local systems to shoulder unlimited burden.

Match moral clarity with institutional courage and future-focused action. Individuals have shown extraordinary bravery; institutions must do the same. Business, philanthropic, and civic leaders should speak up. Grounding their actions in workforce realities, demographic needs, and long-term economic health can help move beyond political framing.

2024 Election Scenario Planning Toolkit

TOOLKIT

Posted on September 4, 2024May 21, 2026

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In an era marked by sociopolitical uncertainty, businesses and their leaders have a responsibility to their employees, customers, investors, and communities to prepare for a range of plausible impacts that could emerge following the 2024 U.S. general election. Regardless of an organization’s size, sector, or prior engagement in political and social issues, the likelihood is high that electoral outcomes and subsequent societal effects will call upon leaders to make tough calls, negotiate trade offs, and act in response to a range of stakeholder interests. Those leaders will be well-served by the foresight and preparation that scenario planning affords.

NationSwell created this toolkit in an effort to make scenario planning as accessible and effective as possible during election season and beyond. For more comprehensive guidance on the role of business in promoting a healthy democracy, visit our Civics Inc. report.

Who is this for?

The recommended audience for this resource are senior leaders and managers with responsibility over relevant functional areas, including public affairs, communications, social impact, human resources, and legal.

While businesses can and do conduct scenario planning on a large number of topics relevant to their interests, this particular resource focuses on the potential near and mid-term impacts of a U.S. general election on business, free enterprise, and our constitutional republic.

Guidance for use

This resource contains instructions and resources to support election scenario planning exercises. Because there is no one-size-fits-all approach to scenario planning, we advise leaders to review this information and adapt it to the existing practices of their organization. The intent is to make scenario planning as accessible as possible, not to divert organizations away from methods that are already working well.

What’s in the toolkit?

Section 1: Election scenario planning overview
Section 2: Election scenario planning preparation and facilitation guide
Section 3: Election scenarios to consider

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The Takeaway | DEI in Focus: Understanding, Defending, and Advancing Together

Posted on June 24, 2024May 26, 2026 by Brianna Provenzano

With Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs currently facing relentless attacks in legislatures and courtrooms across the country, there is no better time than the present to get clear on what DEI work actually entails — and on how we can work to defend the programs that uplift our diversity and defend access to the American dream.

On June 20th, NationSwell hosted a virtual Mainstage event called DEI in Focus: Understanding, Defending, and Advancing Together that sought to ground us in what DEI is and isn’t; how and why it’s being attacked; and how the work is rooted in common values that connect us all.

The event featured a rich conversation between Sid Espinosa (former mayor of Palo Alto and current Head of Social Impact at GitHub), and Stacey Abrams (lawyer, voting rights activist, political leader, and bestselling author). Below are some of the key learnings from the event:

Understanding

Understand the underlying history of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and its importance within the U.S. Since the founding of the U.S., efforts to advance DEI have enabled the manifestation of key movements and legislation, such as the civil rights movement, the labor rights movement, gender rights, LGBTQA rights, the Voting Rights Act, Title IX, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Understanding the role of DEI in activating these societal changes, and emphasizing that it is connected to a plethora of identities and experiences, can support the case for its continuance.

Acknowledge the offensive tactics used by forces working to dismantle DEI. Forces behind the Dobbs decision, the Students for Fair Admissions decision, and Project 2025 use three tactics in their offense against DEI: 1) Delegitimize language and progress on DEI to build a false narrative on its decline; 2) dismantle progress by engaging in litigation; and 3) disband progress by supporting legislation that inhibits fair access to conditions necessary for achieving the American Dream (participation in education, the economy, and elections).

Enforce the fundamental meaning of each word in the DEI acronym. “Diversity means all people, equity is about fair access to opportunity, and inclusion is participation in the American Dream” (Stacey Abrams). The DEI field is motivated to widen opportunities for achieving this Dream, currently disproportionately afforded to select groups of people. Accomplishing this goal would lessen barriers to success for all people, regardless of their identity or lived experience.

Defending

Sustain the acronym to solidify the credibility of the field. Allowing the acronym to be reduced by engaging in semantic changes to DEI work gives way to delegitimizing the work itself. Owning and celebrating DEI – in terminology and in action – helps every person see how DEI has improved their access to the American Dream.

Uphold conviction around DEI across institutions by openly communicating about the harms of retreating. The impacts of the Students for Fair Admissions decision on business and examples of companies scaling back their DEI work are being conflated in the media. Companies can break through this noise by communicating a fact-based counter-narrative centered on underreported legislative progress in favor of DEI (e.g., Allen v. Milligan), sharing information on the business case for DEI, and publicly reporting how successes from investments in DEI outweigh the case for retreating.

“Remember what the Students for Fair Admissions decision said when coming into collective action. It was not a death knell to affirmative action. It was a realignment that is problematic, but in the same decision, they defended DEI in military academies, and they permitted DEI to continue in other aspects of education.”
– Stacey Abrams

Advancing together

Leverage philanthropy to lift organizations that work on the front lines. “Philanthropy is impervious to harm relative to any other institution in the country” (Stacey Abrams). This demands that in moments like today, where the moral call to do this work is being questioned, funders double down on their efforts to meet the needs of organizations working on the frontlines of protection who are “already wobbly.”

Advance DEI by speaking up, standing firm, and staying in touch. 1) Speak up by signing on to op-eds, going on TV, and sharing stories about how DEI operates where you work and how it has affected your lived experience. 2) Stand firm by relentlessly advocating that the alternative of not having DEI is a loss for all Americans. 3) Stay in touch by connecting with organizations like NationSwell, American Pride Rises, and the Black Economic Alliance who can help you find communities of support and lift up one another’s work, as well as access resources and tools.

“When you feel alone, it’s easier to block you, stop you, and force you into retreat…we need to be expanding what we want, expanding what we demand, and not constraining it to accommodate those for whom nothing will be sufficient except our demise.”
– Stacey Abrams

View the full conversation:

NationSwell Releases Report on How Businesses Can Show Up for Democracy in 2024

Posted on May 8, 2024May 21, 2026 by NationSwell Team

Includes interviews from Chobani, Levi Strauss & Co, KPMG, Match Group, Patagonia, Salesforce, and Starbucks

NEW YORK — Every U.S. business has an opportunity to meaningfully impact civic participation and the health of democracy, but there is no single model or approach that they must adopt. Based on exclusive interviews with its executive membership community, NationSwell released a report that provides a strategic framework to help employers customize their support of democracy around their unique contexts, goals, and capabilities.

“In a pivotal election year where democracy faces unprecedented challenges worldwide, businesses have the opportunity, as trusted pillars in society, to protect it,“ said Greg Behrman, Founder and CEO of NationSwell. “Despite pressures to back down from addressing societal issues, businesses must seize this moment to make civic participation a priority. This comprehensive resource is designed to equip business leaders with a strategic framework to support the health of our democracy in a way that is non-partisan, effective, actionable, and vetted by industry peers.”

NationSwell is an award-winning executive membership community and advisory that works with social impact, sustainability, and philanthropy leaders to help them to accelerate their impact, lead at their best, and meet the moment. The report is based on interviews conducted in the spring of 2024 with leaders from Chobani, Democracy Works, Einhorn Collaborative, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, KPMG, Latino Community Foundation, Levi Strauss & Co., Lyft, Match Group, Patagonia, Protect Democracy, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Salesforce, and Starbucks.

Here is what is included in the report:

A strategic framework for employers

The customizable strategic framework in the report presents three goals for businesses to pursue:

Goal 1: Encouraging and enabling civic participation
Goal 2: Promoting information accessibility, transparency, and quality
Goal 3: Supporting issues that protect fundamental rights and strengthen democracy

Supporting guidance and materials for business leaders

The report contains detailed and practical elements that are aligned with advancing the three strategic goals:

Talking points for making the business case for democracy, sourced directly from business leaders and democracy experts
Tactical implementation guidance and dozens of real-world examples showing how businesses are promoting civic participation and a healthier democracy
Peer-vetted partner and collaborator recommendations to help employers supplement their own strengths and pursue collective action

To read the full report, click here.

QUOTES WITHIN THE REPORT FROM CORPORATE LEADERS

“At Salesforce, we understand that a healthy democracy depends on civic participation, and voting in particular. When citizens don’t vote, we increase the risk of unrepresentative government, low institutional trust, and further marginalization of minority groups. When citizens do vote, our government is more representative and accountable to their interests. High participation helps to legitimize the institutions we depend on for the regulatory and market stability our business needs.” – Margaret Taylor, Senior Director and Head of Public Affairs, Salesforce

“Our colleagues and communities will be exposed to information from a range of sources. One of the clearest ways we can foster trust is by providing high-quality information about the logistics of voting and information about the candidates and the issues they care about from trustworthy sources.” – Corley Kenna, Head of Communications and Policy, Patagonia and J.J. Huggins, PR and Communications Manager, Patagonia

“Our business depends on a healthy democracy, and a healthy democracy depends on voter turnout. It is in our interest to drive engagement by educating and motivating our audiences around issues rather than candidates.” – Joanna Rice, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Social Impact, Match Group

Civics Inc.

EXECUTIVE BRIEFING

Posted on May 7, 2024May 26, 2026

Download

This is the biggest election year in history, as citizens in countries representing half the the world’s population head to the polls. At home, the 2024 U.S. election will once again put destabilizing pressure on American political processes and institutions.

We know that the moment demands more than our attention; it demands urgent action. Employers hold outsized potential to promote civic participation and protect our democracy, but for many leaders, that work feels more fraught than ever before.

Developed from the insights and experiences of business leaders and democracy experts, this report is designed to meet businesses where they are. It provides a strategic framework to help employers customize their efforts around three goals and five core assets.

Three goals for employers to pursue in service of healthier democracy:

Encouraging and enabling civic participation
Promoting information accessibility, transparency, and quality
Supporting issues that protect fundamental rights and protect democracy

Five core assets that all businesses can leverage in pursuit of these goals:

Workplace policies and benefits
Employee engagement and people infrastructure
Corporate products and services
Political contributions and advocacy
Corporate and executive voice

What else is included in the report?

Talking points for making the business case for democracy, provided directly by corporate leaders and democracy experts
Dozens of real examples showing how businesses are promoting civic participation and a healthier democracy, paired with detailed implementation guidance
Peer-vetted recommendations for partner organizations on a wide-range of needs

Share this report

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Looking Ahead: 2024

This trend report details 6 major topics that NationSwell anticipates being central to the work of purpose-driven leaders and organizations in 2024.

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Looking Ahead: 2024

TREND REPORT

Posted on February 5, 2024May 26, 2026

Download

When NationSwell surveyed corporate social impact and sustainability executives in July 2023, nearly 7 out of 10 said they’re anticipating a challenging year in 2024. Since then, we’ve witnessed an intensifying wave of anti-DEIB activism, read the dire warnings conveyed in the UNFCCC’s first Global Stocktake, and felt the surge of collective anxiety around the coming elections in the U.S. and around the world. At the same time, powerful examples of collective action, new and transformational technologies, and the continued resolve of purpose-driven leaders demand our attention and urge optimism into the picture.

At NationSwell, we too are resolved. We are resolved to support our membership community, partners, and concerned public in advancing progress on the issues that we believe matter most in the year ahead.

To ground our collective efforts, we have prepared this 2024 look ahead with four goals in mind:

To orient organizations, leaders, and their teams to the issues and trends that we see mattering most in 2024, supported by detailed evidence
To provide line of sight into the predictions and forecasts of experts steeped in those issues
To support scenario planning around a range of inevitabilities and possibilities
To voice our calls to action for the field and for ourselves

Our look ahead focuses on 6 major topics that NationSwell anticipates being central to the work of purpose-driven leaders and organizations in 2024: