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.
Programs
Spotlight
Ohio Middle School Student Wins 2025 National Civics Bee Championship
Competition expands to all 50 states to prepare students to shape America’s next 250 years
Applications for the 2026 National Civics Bee are open!
Students in grades 6–8 are invited to explore an issue in their community, propose a solution, and compete for recognition and prizes. The essay application portal is open now and closes on February 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. HST.
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
Civics Academy Pilot Summary Report
By Pamela Sharma - Civics
Our Future Leaders: Inside the National Civics Bee Championship
By Alicia Sondberg
Insights
74% of Americans Think They Could Explain How America Works. 58% Fail a Basic Civics Test.
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.
Partners
Daniels Fund
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
Interested in receiving The Civic Trust updates?
Get the latest news and resources aimed at improving understanding of and involvement in American civic life delivered straight to your inbox.
Latest Content
- 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.Corporations are increasingly embracing how powerful “enlightened self-interest,” as Benjamin Franklin called it, can be as they create deeper linkages with their employees, customers, suppliers, and the communities they operate in.
