New Resource Reveals Leadership Skills Needed to Work Across Differences

New Resource Reveals Leadership Skills Needed to Work Across Differences

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Council on Foundations today announced the release of Coming Together, Not Apart: Building the Hearts, Minds, and Skills for Leading Across Differences, the third and final publication in a three-part series exploring philanthropy's role in helping Americans connect and collaborate across differences.

Produced in partnership with Philanthropy for an Active Civic Engagement (PACE) and the New Pluralists, the new resource details the leadership competencies required to sustain and scale collaboration across difference, with a practical, action-oriented guide for philanthropic leaders, institutions, and partners navigating an increasingly polarized environment.

The publication introduces three core concepts - heartset, mindset, and skillset - that are necessary for durable and effective engagement across differences. The resource also features stories from the field that illustrate these concepts in action:

• Belonging Colorado, a statewide initiative supporting grassroots organizations and community leaders in building trust and connection across political, geographic, and cultural divides; and
• DeSoto County Ahead in Southwest Florida, where a community foundation convened residents across lines of difference to surface shared aspirations and translate dialogue into collective action.

"These skills are not abstract ideals - they are learnable, actionable, and essential," said Kristen Scott Kennedy, executive vice president at the Council on Foundations. "At a moment when toxic polarization can feel overwhelming, this resource affirms that leaders and institutions can build the capacity to navigate differences without deepening division - and that philanthropy has a responsibility to model that leadership."

In addition to frameworks and case studies, the publication includes reflection prompts, planning tools, and curated resources to support individual and organizational learning. It is intended to be used not only as a reference, but as a working guide for leaders committed to strengthening social cohesion and collective problem-solving.

Coming Together, Not Apart: Building the Hearts, Minds, and Skills for Leading Across Differences concludes the Council's three-part exploration of philanthropy's investment in bridging divides. The first publication examined the scope and scale of philanthropic funding in this space, while the second highlighted case studies of work in progress. Together, the series offers a comprehensive view of why this work matters, how it happens, and what it requires to endure.

For more information and to access this report and the full Coming Together, Not Apart series, visit the Council on Foundation's website.

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About the Council on Foundations
The Council on Foundations is a nonprofit membership association that serves as a guide for philanthropies as they advance the greater good. Building on our 75-year history, the Council supports over 1,000 member organizations in the United States and around the world to build trust in philanthropy, expand pathways to giving, engage broader perspectives, and co-create solutions that will lead to a better future for all. Learn more about the Council and become a member by visiting www.cof.org.