The Civic Trust
The Civic Trust® is a nonpartisan educational initiative dedicated to enhancing civic literacy, skills, and participation across schools, workplaces, and communities. Through programs like the National Civics Bee®, we partner with state and local chambers, businesses, policymakers, and community leaders to offer dynamic opportunities that aim to nurture active citizenship and inspire future leaders.
Spotlight
Launched in 2024, our two-week program offers an immersive professional exchange and residential learning opportunity for foreign judges and magistrates who are passionate about strengthening legal systems.
Our Impact in Stories
- Civics
How Businesses Will Show Up for America’s 250th BirthdayThe U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are sharing resources to help businesses and communities celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday in 2026.
By Pamela Sharma
- Civics
Introducing The Juror Education Project
By Hilary Crow - Civics
Third Time’s the Charm: Meet the 2025 National Civics Bee Champion
By Alicia Sondberg
Insights
Most Americans cannot explain how their own government and economy function, according to a new national survey from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
News
Wall Street Journal
Drawing on their experience judging the National Civics Bee, Jim Nicholson and Emma Bloomberg argue that the U.S. needs a grassroots civics renewal to strengthen the habits and skills that sustain democracy ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Partners
The Daniels Fund announced it will grant the U.S. Chamber Foundation $4.5 million to scale the National Civics Bee® – an initiative to promote greater civic knowledge among young people, their families, and communities. The three-year grant will enable the Foundation to expand the Bees to all 50 states and host a national championship by 2026, coinciding with the 250th birthday of the U.S.
Our Experts
Michael CarneyPresident
Hilary CrowVice President, Civics
Caitlin ThomasExecutive Director, Civics
Melissa MendizabalSenior Manager, Innovation
Pamela SharmaSenior Manager, Civics
Sarah SchmidtSenior Manager, Civics Partnerships
Brittany LauritzenManager, Civics Partnerships
Skyller CosmeManager, Civics
Crystal LindAssociate Manager, Civics Partnerships
Get the latest news and resources aimed at improving understanding of and involvement in American civic life delivered straight to your inbox.
Latest Content
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation President Carolyn Cawley issued the following statement today on the release of the 2022 NAEP U.S. history and civics results, also known as the Nation's Report Card.Today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation announced the launch of the 2023 National Civics Bee, a national competition designed to inspire young Americans to become better informed about American democracy, to engage respectfully and constructively in the community, and to build greater trust in others and institutions.The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has launched The Civic Trust, a new initiative that will promote a broad range of efforts aimed at improving understanding of and involvement in American civic life.A strong business community matters to the nation because the private sector produces the goods, services, and jobs that society needs to survive and thrive, individually and collectively. Moreover, the private sector-led economic activity provides the revenue to fund the public sector in its vital role in the country.














