The Center for Inclusive Democracy (CID), founded and directed by Mindy Romero, Ph.D., will launch as an independent national organization on July 1, 2026, transitioning away from its previous university affiliations to operate with greater focus and decisiveness at a moment when the integrity of nonpartisan democracy research requires institutional independence. With Sierra Health Foundation serving as its new fiscal sponsor, CID will continue producing rigorous, data-driven research on voter participation, electoral access, and civic engagement while expanding into new educational outreach programs, customized community data tools, and deeper direct engagement with community partners across the country. The organization's sixteen-year track record — informing the work of election officials, policymakers, and civic organizations at the state and national level — has earned it broad recognition as a trusted, nonpartisan resource in the democracy field. CID's commitment to closing the gap between democratic ideals and lived civic experience aligns directly with NCDD's mission to strengthen inclusive participation and ensure that dialogue and deliberation are accessible to all communities.

​Voting should be easy, and cheating should be hard. The Trustworthy Elections initiative is a community-based effort to strengthen public trust in elections by helping people learn how elections work, engage across differences, and build relationships within and across communities. We are inviting local leaders—including civic leaders, librarians, faith leaders, facilitators, educators, election officials, and engaged community members—to help shape and support this work in ways that fit their communities. Join us for an informational call on Thursday, June 4, at 9:00 am Pacific / 12:00 pm Eastern to learn more about the initiative and opportunities to get involved - register here! The initiative is being convened by Living Room Conversations, Interfaith America, NCDD, AllSides, and Civity, alongside a growing network of civic leaders. Read more in the blog post below.

NCDD is accepting applications for remote, flexible internships in Communications, Democracy Engagement, Digital Systems & Infrastructure, Grant Writing, Membership Engagement, and Program Development. Internships are designed to support learning, community building, and hands-on nonprofit experience. Before applying, we encourage you to review our Intern FAQ, which answers common questions about time commitment, structure, and what to expect from the intern cohort experience. Applications are submitted through our Intern Cohort Application Form and require a PDF resume upload. The application deadline is Friday, January 30. Read more in the blog post below.

NCDD Network Partner, ​The National Association of Community and Restorative Justice (NACRJ) has officially launched its first-ever Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) Committee, marking a significant milestone in its mission to build a more inclusive and equitable restorative justice movement. This new initiative follows NACRJ’s June 2024 Resolution Statement and reflects a deepened commitment to embedding DEIJ principles across the organization’s practices, policies, and partnerships. Composed of experienced leaders in restorative justice, education, and community advocacy from across North America, the committee will focus on advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and collaborative action within the organization and beyond. Read more in the blog post below.

​NCDD is now accepting applications for its remote, unpaid, and flexible summer internship program—an ideal opportunity for students and emerging professionals interested in dialogue, deliberation, and community engagement. Internship roles are available in the areas of Communications, Democracy Engagement, Grant Writing, Membership Engagement, and Program Development. To learn more, join us for our upcoming info session, “Launching Your Path – Learn About NCDD Internships,” on Tuesday, May 20 at 11am PT / 2pm ET. This virtual session will provide insights into the program, introduce the NCDD team, and offer space for questions. Learn more in the blog post below and register to join the call!

NCDD Friends, Bridge Alliance, a coalition focused on strengthening democratic institutions and civic engagement across the U.S., has launched the 2025 Survey of Pro-Democracy Practitioners & Organizations. This survey is a key part of their "Path Forward" research project, designed to understand the current state and future direction of the pro-democracy movement. With the goal of gathering insights from democracy practitioners, the survey seeks to answer important questions about collective efforts, guiding principles, and areas of success or improvement. The initiative builds on previous research and aims to foster greater collaboration within the democracy field. Bridge Alliance is committed to maximizing impact through strategic partnerships and ensuring diverse perspectives are represented. Find the survey and read more in the blog post below.

​The International Listening Association (ILA), a valued NCDD Network Partner, emphasizes the transformative power of listening through thoughtful questions and deep engagement. In a recent podcast, ILA members Raquel Ark and Dr. Michael W. Purdy explore how conscious listening fosters connection, community building, and democratic discourse. Their conversation offers valuable insights into improving communication and promoting empathy, especially in polarized times. Read the blog post below to learn more.

​NCDD is launching its 2025 Survey to gather insights from members and the wider dialogue and deliberation community. This survey aims to understand why people engage with NCDD, explore current dialogue work, identify programming needs, and discover opportunities for future involvement. Your responses will help shape NCDD’s programming, strengthen the D&D ecosystem, and ensure the organization remains a valuable space for collaboration and growth. Whether you're a long-time member or new to the community, your voice matters. Read more in the blog post below.

NCDD Sustaining Partner, The Interactivity Foundation, is offering a Collaborative Discussion Coach Training designed for educators, librarians, community leaders, and others passionate about dialogue. This interactive online training runs from May 28 to June 3, 2025, and provides participants with hands-on experience using the Collaborative Discussion Toolkit, access to exclusive coaching resources, and the ability to award certificates and digital badges. The cost is $495, with scholarships available. Space is limited to 10 participants, and the registration deadline is Sunday, May 4. Read more in the blog post below.

We’re excited to share an announcement from our NCDD Network Partner, the Listen First Project, about a unique opportunity to support the launch of the American Depolarization Network—a new web-based platform developed by Harvard’s Constructive Disagreement Lab that empowers individuals to send thoughtful, depolarizing emails across political divides using voter registration data. This pilot is part of the upcoming National Week of Conversation (April 21–27) and is a chance to be part of an innovative approach to bridging divides in America. A Volunteer Onboarding call is happening today, Thursday, April 3rd, at 3pm Eastern / 12pm Pacific on Zoom. Learn more in the blog post below.