About Civic Bridgebuilding

Civic bridgebuilding is an approach to community engagement that fosters respect between diverse communities, supports social cohesion and diminishes polarization, forges a sense of common civic purpose, and seeks to address public concerns such as unmet human, educational, health care, environmental, or public safety needs.

<h3DEFINITIONS

The following definitions apply:

• Civic Bridgebuilding: An activity grounded in principles of scientific research that fosters respect between diverse communities, supports social cohesion and diminishes polarization, forges a sense of common civic purpose, and seeks to address public concerns such as unmet human, educational, health care, environmental, or public safety needs.
• Civic Bridgebuilding Field: The programs, leaders, and community groups involved in civic bridgebuilding activities; researchers producing work based on principles of scientific research related to civic bridgebuilding in the United States and abroad; Federal agencies and public institutions engaged in or supporting work related to civic bridgebuilding in the United States and internationally.
• Civic Bridgebuilding Leader: An individual who leads civic bridgebuilding programs or efforts.
• Civic Engagement: An individual or collective action designed to address a public concern such as an unmet human, educational, health care, environmental, or public safety need.
• Eligible Entity: A nonprofit entity, community- or faith-based organization, institution of higher education (as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965), public institution, or consortium of any such entities.
• Public Institution: A library or unit of State, local, or special purpose government.
• Research Base: Any publications that contain observations, analysis, and conclusions based on principles of scientific research with respect to the challenges of political and social polarization in the United States and practical approaches to strengthen social cohesion, foster a sense of national connection, or improve intergroup relations in divided communities.

The Office of Civic Bridgebuilding

There is established an Office of Civic Bridgebuilding within the Corporation for National and Community Service, to be headed by a Director appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

The Office shall have a single mission to support and strengthen civic bridgebuilding across the United States.

Grant Program

There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of the 3 fiscal years following such date, not later than September 30, 2025, to carry out this section.

The grant program established under section 198T(a) shall provide financial support and technical assistance to eligible entities carrying out projects that advance civic bridgebuilding in communities across the United States.

<h3USES OF FUNDS

Eligible entities receiving grants under this section shall use the grant funds to carry out a project to advance civic bridgebuilding in communities across the United States.

Reporting Requirements

The Corporation for National and Community Service, with respect to the Office of Civic Bridgebuilding, shall submit to Congress not later than 18 months after the end of each 3-year period a report on the effectiveness and impact of the activities carried out under grants awarded.