Dear John,
What does it take to bring people together across seemingly intractable divides?
In our new project, The Commons, we are seeking answers to this question from all corners of philanthropy. Recently, we invited Laura Arnold, one of America’s top philanthropists, to share her thoughts. She and her husband, John, are perhaps best known for their success in creating bipartisan solutions on tough issues that range from criminal justice and health care to our election system.
Her advice? Check your ideology at the door. If you don’t respect other points of view and make room for them, she said, “you will lose the fight right then.”
Arnold was the first guest on our new LinkedIn interview series, The Commons in Conversation. You can watch her conversation with Chronicle of Philanthropy CEO Stacy Palmer on LinkedIn or on our YouTube channel.
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| Interview | | Philanthropist Laura Arnold on What It Takes to Reduce Polarization and Partisanship | | The Giving Pledge member and influential donor talks about the keys to bringing people together on tough issues. | | Read More ► |
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Since the launch of The Commons in April, we’ve been highlighting leaders like Arnold and the ideas they’re championing to close divides, strengthen communities, and repair our social fabric. Take a look at a couple of those stories here: |
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| Elections | | These 17 Nonprofit Leaders Want to Change How You Vote | | Organizers, funders, lawyers, scholars, writers, and celebrities (Jennifer Lawrence!) who aim to reboot our election system in the name of fighting polarization. | | Read More ► |
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| Q & A | | How Philanthropy Fails Boys and Men | | Richard Reeves is fighting the prevailing view of who’s on the losing side of gender equality. Melinda French Gates is backing him with $20 million. | | Read More ► |
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We hope you can join us as The Commons in Conversation series continues in October with more interviews.
- Erik Bork, Emmy-winning screenwriter and producer, previews his soon-to-be-released The Elephant in the Room, a philanthropy-backed red-blue romantic comedy. Join us Wednesday, October 2, at 12:30 p.m. ET.
Register here.
- Nealin Parker, executive director of the U.S. affiliate of the international peacebuilding group Search for Common Ground, talks about efforts to prevent violence after the November elections. Join us Wednesday, October 16, at 12:30 p.m. ET.
Register here.
 A special invitation: Join the Chronicle at the Mission Forward Leadership Summit on October 9, a free online event produced by Mission Partners that we’re proud to co-sponsor. The half-day event will showcase leading experts on how nonprofits are bridging divides, communicating and planning in a time of volatility, working to cool down the political climate, and much more.
Reserve your seat today.
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In the meantime, keep up with everything happening by visiting the website at The Commons or signing up for our weekly LinkedIn newsletter. Sincerely, 
Drew Lindsay
Senior Editor Chronicle of Philanthropy
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