Building Civic Literacy for a Healthier Democracy
We equip students, educators, and communities with the tools to understand civic institutions, evaluate information critically, and engage responsibly in public life.
Critical Thinking
Developing the skills to analyze information objectively, evaluate evidence, and form reasoned judgments on complex issues.
Media Awareness
Understanding how media influences perceptions and learning to identify bias, misinformation, and credible sources.
Civic Engagement
Empowering individuals to participate meaningfully in democratic life through informed action and community involvement.
Our Mission and What We Do
We believe a healthy democracy depends on an informed public. Our nonprofit works to expand civic literacy and media education, giving individuals the knowledge and skills they need to understand institutions, assess information critically, and participate meaningfully in civic life.
Through educational resources and public-facing programs, we help communities build the foundation for thoughtful civic engagement in an evolving media landscape.
Why Civic & Media Literacy Matter
The stability of a democracy depends on having citizens who know how to push for good policy and have the ability to sort through propaganda. Civic literacy helps people understand institutions, citizen rights and responsibilities, and how public decisions are made. Media literacy enables individuals to evaluate information, recognize bias and misinformation, and engage with diverse perspectives. Together, these skills are vital in an era of rapid information flow and complex civic life. Strengthening civic and media literacy promotes informed participation, respectful discourse, and trust in democratic processes. Individuals with historical background knowledge also have higher levels of civic and media literacy.
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Who We Serve
We serve educators, students, community organizations, and members of the public who are committed to strengthening civic understanding and media literacy. Our resources support classroom instruction, community-based learning, and individual engagement, and are designed to be accessible, nonpartisan, and adaptable across diverse educational and civic contexts.
History Education Scholars
We feature the work of leading experts like Sam Wineburg, whose research at Stanford has revolutionized how students learn to think historically and navigate digital misinformation.
Sam Wineburg
Emeritus Professor, Stanford
"Historical thinking is not a natural process... it goes against the grain of how we ordinarily think."
View Full ProfileFeatured Work
Critiques of Textbooks
How textbooks shape — and misshape — history
Controversial History
Exploring complex figures and events
Grants & Funding
Finding support for civic education
Immigration Policy
Human rights & U.S. immigration history
Grants & Funding
We track grant opportunities that align with our mission. Here are a few we're exploring — or that you could help us apply for.
American History & Civics National Activities
U.S. Department of Education
National activities program supporting innovative civics teaching, learning, and professional development serving low...
Mellon Foundation Grant for Public Knowledge
Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
Supports projects that expand the reach of humanities education. Our textbook critiques and civic literacy work align...
NEH Landmarks of American History and Culture
National Endowment for the Humanities
Supports workshops for K-12 educators to study key historical sites. Perfect for our controversial history curriculum...
Know a grant we should apply for? Let us know.
We provide easy to use lesson plans that help teachers create lessons that improve critical thinking.
“This organization brings clarity to complex civic topics, supporting informed discussion without pushing an agenda in educational and community settings across diverse.”
Jonathan Reyes
“The resources are thoughtfully designed and genuinely useful in the classroom, helping students understand civic systems while developing critical media skills responsibly.”
Melissa Carter
Get in Touch
Have a question, want to collaborate, or know a grant we should apply for? We'd love to hear from you.
Phone
801-349-7168