The Campaign for Community Values

Americans understand that we prosper most when our policies reflect that we’re all in it together. But over the past three decades, political discussions have centered on extreme individualism.  The resulting policies have led to a fractured health care system, growing gaps between the rich and poor, and dwindling investment in programs that protect and expand opportunity. 

To counter this problematic theme, we worked with the Center for Community Change and groups around the country, to develop the concept of community values—the idea that we're stronger as a country when we work together for the common good. This theme served to articulate a positive vision while creating a unifying theme for disparate groups and issues. Beginning with the Iowa caucuses and continuing throughout the general election season, we engaged community organizations and advocates with the community values theme through a series of nonpartisan, non-electoral activities.

In Iowa, we held workshops and provided communications support for advocates' and organizers' pre-caucus activities, including the Heartland Presidential Forum, which featured major presidential candidates and launched the Campaign for Community Values. Throughout the general election season, we trained hundreds of organizers and advocates in California, Colorado, and Tennessee, provided communications tools to thousands of leaders, and placed a number of important news stories.

Most importantly, we gave groups with wide and varied networks a common theme under which to connect and advance their many causes. This approach, combined with the reach and leverage of our partners, resulted in a powerful shift in political discourse, including the language of candidates, content in the blogosphere, and organizing around the country.