Philanthropy’s Flag Day Salute to Civic Health

Every year on June 14 we commemorate the adoption of the U.S.’s first flag in 1777. Over two centuries later Flag Day is more than just a remembrance of our history—it’s a celebration of some of our core civic values.

This symbolic day is a chance to reflect on what “civic health” means in our field and how philanthropy can help build and sustain a foundation for strong communities.

The McCormick Foundation views a healthy society as one whose citizens are well informed and actively engaged in their communities. Through our grants and programming, we aim to make quality civic education and civic engagement opportunities widely accessible to all Chicago area youth ages 12 to 22. We believe that by exposing younger generations to the knowledge, skills and experiences necessary to fully participate in civic life, they will be prepared and inspired to be engaged adults.

In this area we seek to support work that ties knowledge—traditional civics and government courses, current affairs, to action—volunteerism, democratic participation, and civic leadership. We hope that when knowledge and action are connected, both become more meaningful and youth can realize their individual power to contribute to the greater good.

Philanthropy can bolster civic health in many ways. For example, ensuring that basic human needs, such as jobs, nutrition, healthcare, education, and security are met can create a springboard for civic action. Supporting organizations that advocate for transparency and ethical behavior in the public sector can restore confidence in our elected officials and system of government. Strengthening the capacity of local nonprofit partners to guide new immigrants through the citizenship process gives them the tools to become active community members.

As a field, we have a great role to play in supporting access to information and knowledge, and in engaging everyone in the democratic process, regardless of age, race or socio-economic background. As individuals, we can make an enormous contribution to our communities by choosing long-term, meaningful and impactful engagement over episodic action.

Diversity, empowerment and innovation are at the very heart of philanthropy and our great nation. By strengthening the capacity of America’s youth to take responsibility and contribute to their communities, we are creating a stronger country.

A measure of our nation’s civic health, then, might be the extent to which our diversity is reflected in the voices that lead our civic dialogue. This is one of the values that might resonate as we celebrate Flag Day.

Andrea Jett is a citizenship program officer for the McCormick Foundation (www.mccormickfoundation.org).