The Next 250 Starts Here.
The nation’s 250th anniversary isn’t just a moment to look back. It’s a chance to celebrate and invest in what comes next. Through civics education, character development, and the people who strengthen their communities every day, the Daniels Fund is helping to prepare the next generation to carry America’s promise forward.
The Daniels Fund celebrates the students, families, innovators and leaders already laying the groundwork for the nation’s next 250 years.
What We Carry Forward
Ideas That Endure. Principles That Matter.
For 250 years, each generation of Americans has faced the same question: What do we carry forward?
The answer begins with understanding what has made self-government possible—civic knowledge, personal responsibility, civil discourse, and a shared commitment to the common good. These ideas have shaped our nation since its founding, and they remain essential to its future.
Through essays, research, polling, speeches, and conversations, What We Carry Forward explores the challenges and opportunities facing American civic life today. Together with our partners, we are helping spark a national conversation about what it will take to strengthen our democracy—and prepare the next generation to carry it forward.
Protect the Institutions That Sustain American Exceptionalism | Opinion
May 30, 2026
Daniels Fund President & CEO Hanna Skandera Grady and Bradley Foundation President & CEO Richard Graber write in Newsweek about the need to preserve what makes America exceptional.
GUEST OPINION: Generosity has defined Colorado for 150 years
March 1, 2026
The CEOs of five foundations write in The Gazette about generosity as a key quality to celebrate as Colorado celebrates its 150th anniversary.
America Wins at the National Civics Bee
March 6, 2026
Daniels Fund Board member Secretary Jim Nicholson and Emma Bloomberg, founder and CEO of Mumuration, celebrate the benefits of the National Civics Bee in The Wall Street Journal.
Poll: Americans believe they aren’t being taught enough about democracy
June 20, 2026
A recent NBC News poll, backed by the Daniels Fund and More on Americans’ views tied to the 250th anniversary, showed broad and deep support for a renaissance in civics education nationwide – the cornerstone of the Daniels Fund’s Big Bet on civics.
Hanna Skandera Grady & Reviving Civics in America
April 23, 2026
Hanna Skandera Grady, President & CEO of the Daniels Fund, joined the Givers, Doers, & Thinkers podcast to discuss the need for renewed civics education as America approaches its 250 anniversary.
America at 250: The civic renewal people want
June 26, 2026
Daniels Fund President and CEO Hanna Skandera Grady authored a new opinion piece in the Washington Examiner. As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, she explores what continues to unite Americans: a shared belief in the responsibilities of freedom, the importance of civic education, and the institutions that prepare the next generation for engaged citizenship.
Colorado's Philanthropic Impact: Strengthening Communities and the Economy
June 16, 2026
This Common Sense Institute report, sponsored by the Daniels Fund and partners, highlights the vital role philanthropy plays in Colorado’s economy and civic life, demonstrating how charitable giving and volunteerism generate billions of dollars in economic and social value each year. It shows that private generosity strengthens communities, expands opportunity, and reinforces the long-standing American tradition of citizens working together to solve challenges beyond what government alone can achieve.
Bringing Young Washington Into the Classroom
June 24, 2026
The new feature film Young Washington brings George Washington’s formative years to life, offering a fresh perspective on the experiences that shaped America’s first president. To help educators extend these lessons beyond the screen, we’ve developed a companion civics curriculum that equips teachers nationwide with engaging resources to explore character, citizenship, and civic responsibility.
New Film Celebrates Giving Spirit of Colorado
January 12, 2026
There are many things that make Colorado special, but when the creators of a new film celebrating the state’s 150th anniversary set out to capture the essence of our state, they found it not in the place but the people.
WE THE PEOPLE
Stories That Inspire. Actions That Matter.
America’s story has always been written by ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
Students learning how democracy works. Teachers inspiring the next generation. Families gathering around a table to learn together. Community leaders stepping forward to solve problems and strengthen the places they call home.
These stories are a reminder that civic life isn’t an abstraction. It is driven by people. It is the work of understanding our rights, embracing our responsibilities, and investing in one another. As America marks 250 years, these are the individuals carrying our shared promise forward and helping shape the next 250.
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Civics in Action on the National Stage
June 10, 2026
Two National Civics Bee® state champions brought their knowledge of civics to the TODAY Show, teaming up with hosts Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones for a spirited civics showdown.
Daniels Fund Alum Dyvon Walker
June 23, 2026
Dr. Dyvon Walker, a 2011 Daniels Scholar, shares how he dreamed of being a doctor from age 8, a dream fulfilled thanks to hard work, grit, determination and the open door of opportunity.
2026 Civics Bee - Alamosa, Colorado
May 15, 2026
Local Civics Bees in communities across America bring together students, families and business and community leaders. PBS12 in Denver told the stories of local students in a series of stories, including one about Alamosa, Colorado.
NBC News NOW – New Film “Young Washington” is Part of Nationwide Civic Literacy Initiative
June 15, 2026
A special civics curriculum tied to the feature motion picture Young Washington was highlighted on NBC’s TODAY by director Jon Erwin and Bill of Rights Institute CEO David Bobb.
Middle Schooler Develops a 6-Step Plan to Combat Cyberbullying
March 30, 2026
Aisha Chavda, who represented her state in the National Civics Bee, tells NBC’s TODAY about her community-based proposal to combat cyberbullying.
Freedom is a commitment of the people, not a guarantee
July 4, 2026
Two hundred and fifty years after ordinary citizens signed their names to an extraordinary idea, Hanna reminds us that freedom requires more than celebration. It requires knowledge, character, service, and a renewed commitment to civic education.
Daniels Scholars Celebrating America at 250
Daniels Scholar Simeon Moses
Daniels Scholar Simeon Moses Celebrating America at 250
As America celebrates 250 years of freedom and opportunity, Daniels Scholar Simeon Moses reflects on the generations of Americans who invested in a future greater than themselves. Inspired by Bill Daniels’ belief that success creates opportunities for others, Simeon shares why America’s story is not only worth celebrating, but also worth carrying forward for the next generation.
Daniels Scholar Hunter King
Daniels Scholar Hunter King Celebrating America at 250
Hunter King reflects on the people who make America strong through hard work, service, and dedication to their communities. From teachers and farmers to first responders and small business owners, she celebrates the everyday Americans who create opportunity, strengthen local communities, and inspire future generations. Her message is one of gratitude for the freedoms, opportunities, and shared commitment that continue to shape America’s future.
Daniels Scholar Stephanie Ruiz
Daniels Scholar Stephanie Ruiz Celebrating America at 250
Stephanie Ruiz reflects on how birthdays remind us not only of where we began, but of the people and values that helped shape our lives. As America marks its 250th birthday, she celebrates the spirit of generosity, community, and service that has guided generations of Americans. Inspired by Bill Daniels’ belief in giving back, Stephanie shares how even small acts of kindness can create opportunities and light the way for others.