The Trust in American Institutions Challenge

On December 12, 2024, Lever for Change and Reid Hoffman announced the launch of The Trust in American Institutions Challenge, a $10 million open call designed to scale a bold solution that will build and restore public trust in the core institutions that form the pillars of our society in the United States.

Data shows that public trust in public schools, government bodies, the media, and the medical system has declined significantly since 2015. This decline in trust has far-reaching ripple effects, both for our present and for our future, particularly in light of the polarized political landscape of the recent U.S. presidential election. It can result in fewer resources being devoted to these institutions—as is the case of many libraries, where budget cuts mean fewer services, including after-school programming and free Wi-Fi, on which our communities rely.

Dwindling trust also undercuts cohesion in our physical and virtual communities, and fosters an environment in which polarization can thrive. Our ties to one another, the health of our communities, and the future of our democracy are dependent on the strength of the institutions that underpin them.

This challenge seeks transformative solutions that are poised to reverse recent trends and significantly increase public trust in core institutions in the United States in the next five years. Applicants best fit for this opportunity will use key leverage points to renew, rebuild, and/or establish trust in core institutions for Americans across the country.

Interested applicants at Duke MUST contact Alex de Havilland (Alexandra.de.havilland@duke.edu) before applying.

Applicants must register to apply before 5 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. Once registered, applicants must submit an online application before 5 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.