Building Common Ground
Learning Across Differences Ideas Forum - Reflections on the Journey
Join us for a discussion with John Hopkins professor Hahrie Han, author of “Undivided: The Quest for Racial Solidarity in an American Church.” Dr. Han will reflect on heartset: who do you need to be to bridge divides with others?
2025 Bridging Differences Leadership Cohort
The Bridging Differences Leadership Cohort is a facilitated virtual learning experience meeting monthly from April 2025 through November 2025, hosted by the Council on Foundations in partnership with the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley (GGSC). Cohort members expressed their interest in…
Liz Vogel
Liz Vogel is the Interim Executive Director of New Pluralists, a funder collaborative investing together in a culture of respect and belonging for all. Liz brings her roots as a practitioner in education and civic engagement to her leadership—grounding philanthropic strategy in the realities of…
Linda R. Tropp
Linda R. Tropp is Professor of Social Psychology and Faculty Associate in Public Policy at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (USA). For nearly three decades she has studied how members of different groups experience contact with each other, and how group differences in status affect cross-…
Calista Small
As a Research Manager at More in Common, Calista Small leads and manages mixed-methods studies on a range of topics related to social cohesion and division in the US. She also frequently presents new research at national and international conferences. Previously, she worked across two labs at…
Learning Across Differences Ideas Forum - The Connection Opportunity
On April 23rd, 2025 The Council on Foundations started a new series called, "Learning Across Differences Ideas Forum". Watch this inaugural session with speakers from More in Common, and the Walmart Foundation for an in-depth discussion of new More in Common research entitled The…
Learning Across Differences Ideas Forum - Understanding Polarization
Philanthropy has a unique opportunity to fund, support, and protect civil society institutions that contribute to building an inclusive democracy where everyone belongs. But, as funders, our ability to do so can be hampered by the pernicious divides that threaten to tear our society apart.…
Dan Hopkins
The author of two books, including The Increasingly United States (2018), Daniel J. Hopkins is the Julie and Martin Franklin Presidential Professor in the Political Science Department at the University of Pennsylvania. Professor Hopkins studies American politics and the politics of other affluent…
Building Together 2026
Building Together is a sector-wide gathering for philanthropic professionals eager to connect and collaborate across differences. This isn’t just another conference — it’s a dynamic learning experience where you’ll build the skills, strategies, and relationships needed to navigate divides…
Leading Across Differences - November Peer Learning Circle
This peer learning circle is designed to facilitate connections, build relationships, and foster candid discussion about the rewards and challenges of working to connect and collaborate across differences. Meeting every other month, the peer learning circle provides a supportive environment…
Leading Across Differences - September Peer Learning Circle
This peer learning circle is designed to facilitate connections, build relationships, and foster candid discussion about the rewards and challenges of working to connect and collaborate across differences. Meeting every other month, the peer learning circle provides a supportive environment…
Leading Across Differences - July Peer Learning Circle
This peer learning circle is designed to facilitate connections, build relationships, and foster candid discussion about the rewards and challenges of working to connect and collaborate across differences. Meeting every other month, the peer learning circle provides a supportive environment…
Leading Across Differences - May Peer Learning Circle
This peer learning circle is designed to facilitate connections, build relationships, and foster candid discussion about the rewards and challenges of working to connect and collaborate across differences. Meeting every other month, the peer learning circle provides a supportive environment…
Leading Across Differences - March Peer Learning Circle
This peer learning circle is designed to facilitate connections, build relationships, and foster candid discussion about the rewards and challenges of working to connect and collaborate across differences. Meeting every other month, the peer learning circle provides a supportive environment…
Coming Together, Not Apart: Inside the Work of Turning Conflict Into Collaboration
Publication
Coming Together, Not Apart: Inside the Work of Turning Conflict Into Collaboration is the second of three Council on Foundations publications exploring philanthropy's involvement in developing the heartset, mindset, and skillset to lead collaboratively across differences. It dives deep into how…
Ricardo G. Huerta Niño
Ricardo G. Huerta Niño is the Associate Director for the Great Communities Collaborative Initiative at the San Francisco Foundation. He works with funders, non-profits, and public sector partners to implement policy advocacy strategies focused on housing, transportation, land use, and climate…