In June 2018, Independent Sector and Stanford Social Innovation Review launched Civil Society for the 21st Century, an article series featuring some of today’s leading thinkers and practitioners exploring current issues in civil society.
All over the world, American civil society is seen as a model for how to shape and lead communities using transparency, accountability, and political independence.
In this piece, Brian Gallagher, president and CEO of United Way Worldwide, says Americans can’t take for granted that we’re a worthy example for the rest of the world. Instead, we must renew our commitment to ensure that civil society organizations remain accountable and independent and that we focus on a “we” culture.
Noting growing wariness of institutions and nonprofits, Gallagher offers advice to renew civic order and says that when it comes to a robust civil society, “we had it before, and we can find it again.”
