Building Civic Homes Report

Across the country, people are feeling more disconnected than ever. A loneliness epidemic, political polarization, and distrust in institutions have made it harder for communities to feel a sense of belonging—or believe that change is possible.

But there’s a way forward.

Civic homes are spaces where people feel:

• Seen
• Valued
• Empowered to lead.

They are places where people:

• Find purpose
• Build collective power
• Work together

Over the past two years, Sojourn Strategies, in partnership with the Democracy & Power Innovation Fund (DPI), studied how organizations are creating and sustaining civic homes. Our findings offer clear, actionable insights for anyone working to build community and drive lasting impact.

Inside, you’ll find:

• Core ingredients of effective civic homes
• Lessons from grassroots organizers
• Practical tools for creating culture, leadership pipelines, and long-term community power

This report is your guide to building spaces where people feel they belong—and believe in their power to make change.