$200M Campaign Turns Americans Into Problem-Solvers

Most Americans don't believe we can solve our biggest problems anymore, but a massive new campaign launching this Independence Day is determined to prove them wrong.

"Be The People" kicks off July 4th as America celebrates its 250th birthday, aiming to connect hundreds of millions of people with real solutions to poverty, addiction, violence, and economic struggles in their own communities. The initiative comes with serious backing: over $200 million for year one alone, funded by 50 philanthropic foundations and individual donors.

Brian Hooks, chairman and CEO of Stand Together, the nonprofit network leading the charge, says the anniversary creates a unique moment to remind people they have power. "The future is unwritten, but it depends on each one of us stepping up to play our part," he said.

The campaign builds on research showing many Americans actually want to contribute to their communities. They just don't know how to get started.

Partners include household names like Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill Industries, the NBA, and filmmaker Ron Howard's Imagine Entertainment. Major funders like the MacArthur Foundation are also joining the effort.

This isn't a short-term feel-good project. Hooks emphasized this is a 10-year commitment aimed at creating a genuine shift in how Americans see themselves and their communities.

The timing matters. A 2024 Pew Research Center survey found most Americans in both 2023 and 2024 didn't believe the country could solve its most important challenges. Hooks called that finding a "red alert" for the nation.

The Ripple Effect

The vision goes far beyond occasional volunteering or weekend service projects. Be The People wants businesses and schools involved, weaving community problem-solving into the fabric of daily life.

The initiative will launch a major data collection effort to track whether people are actually getting more engaged and whether real problems are getting solved. That accountability matters because changing culture requires more than good intentions.

If it works, this campaign could shift how Americans see division and powerlessness, replacing despair with action one community at a time.