The JAMS Foundation and National Association for Community Mediation (NAFCM) are launching the 2026-2028 Community Mediation Mini-Grant Program, awarding up to five organizations $15,000 per year to develop preventive approaches using community mediation skills to de-escalate family conflict during critical transitions like substance abuse treatment, assisted living moves, or mental health services navigation. Grant recipients will participate in a structured Learning Community facilitated by NAFCM using the Listening for Action Leadership Process, meeting twice monthly for the first six months and monthly thereafter to share challenges, test approaches, and develop replicable resources while creating at least one policy or procedure change over the two years for lasting systemic impact. This collaborative model emphasizes deep listening, collaborative problem-solving, community co-creation, and attention to power dynamics—principles aligned with NCDD values—with all materials shared across the broader field to strengthen community mediation practice nationally and internationally, creating pathways for families to work through disagreements collaboratively before they escalate into formal legal proceedings or institutional interventions.

​In a recent article for the Nonprofit Quarterly, Chicago-based civic educator and arts activist Tom Tresser made a compelling case for why arts and culture organizations should follow a proven model for civic engagement—one that the far right has successfully employed for over 50 years. Drawing on his experience as a former actor, theater manager, and arts activist, Tresser outlined practical strategies for using creative spaces to build community power and deepen democratic participation.

​Dinner and a Fight/Dialogue (DaaF/D), developed by Fighting to Understand and adapted from Arizona State University's Hot Topics-Cool Heads method, creates structured spaces where community members engage in productive dialogue over shared meals to address divisive local challenges. The 2.5-hour format balances informal relationship-building during dinner with a unique deliberative structure where five volunteers occupy chairs labeled from "Agree-strongly" to "Disagree-strongly," creating a live demonstration of diverse perspectives that normalizes disagreement and models respectful dialogue across difference. DaaF/D has demonstrated real-world impact in communities like South Haven, Michigan, where it was combined with the digital platform Polis to address contentious short-term rental issues, helping residents move past entrenched positions toward a shared understanding while developing practical skills in constructive dialogue and collaborative problem-solving. Read more in the blog post below.

​This article highlights lessons from three National Issues Forums Institute–connected research projects that examine how communities can effectively deliberate on environmental challenges in ways that lead to meaningful, locally guided action. Through examples from Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, and other Southern states, the piece shows that successful environmental deliberation requires centering participants’ lived experiences, responding flexibly to community needs, and ensuring discussions connect to real decision-making pathways. It emphasizes the importance of adapting processes—such as shifting from deliberation to dialogue when communities need more sensemaking—and underscores how building local leadership strengthens trust, accessibility, and long-term impact. Together, these insights point to the value of community-rooted, action-oriented deliberation that aligns with existing structures and amplifies local knowledge and leadership.

​The Fall Edition of the National Civic Review spotlights how communities across the country are putting democratic ideals into practice by transforming shared challenges into opportunities for collaboration and innovation. This article explores real-world examples of civic engagement in action—from cities addressing homelessness through cross-sector partnerships to small towns building trust through inclusive dialogue. By centering stories of residents, local officials, and community organizations working side by side, “Democracy in Practice” illustrates how the health of democracy depends on the everyday work of people coming together to solve problems. The piece underscores a central NCR theme: that democracy thrives not in theory, but through lived, collective effort.

In Alabama’s Tri-County region (Bibb, Chilton, and Shelby counties), residents have turned a year-long series of structured community conversations into actionable steps to address housing challenges. Guided by the David Mathews Center for Civic Life and the National Issues Forums model, discussions focused on affordability, availability, and accessibility, fostering trust and shared understanding among participants. Through forums, small-group meetings, and a culminating community event, residents identified transitional housing as the region’s most urgent need and formed volunteer action teams to pursue solutions. The initiative illustrates how inclusive, sustained dialogue can move communities from polarization to collaborative problem-solving, generating both social capital and concrete strategies for long-term change.

The city of Windsor, Ontario, demonstrates how municipalities, schools, and community organizations can collaborate to advance truth and reconciliation. In observing Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Windsor has united diverse institutions—city government, school boards, transit, museums, libraries, and nature centers—to create multiple opportunities for learning, reflection, and community healing. Initiatives range from symbolic acts like flag-raisings and orange ribbons on buses to sustained commitments such as Indigenous success coaches in schools and ongoing cultural programming. By offering varied entry points for engagement and ensuring efforts extend beyond a single day, Windsor models how coordinated, values-driven action can foster dialogue, equity, and long-term reconciliation.

The Civic Exchange, created by the Mediators Foundation with Better Together America, is a new platform uniting diverse civic organizations to strengthen U.S. democracy through collaboration, transparency, and grassroots engagement. By connecting local hubs and national partners, it helps groups avoid duplication, share resources, and amplify impact. Its inclusive approach makes civic participation accessible to all, while a peer-to-peer fundraising model empowers everyday Americans to support the causes they value. Launched around key democracy-themed days, the Civic Exchange turns commemoration into action, showing that small, coordinated efforts can drive systemic renewal and inspire citizens to actively invest in democratic life. Read more in the blog post below.

This September, the Interactivity Foundation’s Collaborative Discussion Project offers two dynamic workshops designed to strengthen the essential skills of listening and creativity in collaborative settings. Dr. John Igwebuike’s session focuses on turning monologue into meaningful dialogue by equipping participants with strategies for active, inclusive listening. Dr. Don Waisanen’s workshop explores how creativity and improvisation can unlock adaptive thinking and deeper connection in group discussions. Both sessions provide practical tools and exercises that help community leaders, facilitators, and educators foster more inclusive, effective, and engaging dialogue. These workshops exemplify NCDD’s commitment to equity, collaboration, and civic engagement. Read more in the blog post below.

The Co-Creating Desired Futures (CCDF) Facilitation Intensive is a five-session online program designed for community organizers and changemakers who are ready to deepen their skills in dialogue, deliberation, and collaborative leadership. Taking place this fall, the intensive blends experiential learning with hands-on practice in facilitation approaches like Dynamic Facilitation and Empathy Circles. With a strong focus on equity, care, and collective wisdom, CCDF offers a nurturing space to grow the capacity needed for transformational community work. Offered at a sliding-scale rate with scholarship support, this program embodies NCDD’s values of inclusion, accessibility, and strengthening democracy from the ground up. Read more in the blog post below.