Across the nation, communities are facing a crisis of connection, with a 2023 survey revealing that 74% of Americans feel a sense of non-belonging in their local communities. In 2022-23, the Walmart Foundation funded the Belonging Innovation Lab, a program providing subgrants, training, and technical assistance to a cohort of 12 place-based organizations working to foster trust and build belonging. Designed for leaders interested in social cohesion, this session will share insights from the program and explore how national and local philanthropy can collaborate to foster local belonging.