Values Alliance Updates
The Most Powerful Investment Philanthropy Can Make Right Now: The Next Generation of Civic Leaders
February 2, 2026
Trust is collapsing. Polarization is rising. And the leaders we need most aren't in the pipeline yet. Here's how philanthropists can change that — and where to start.
Nearly 70% of people worldwide believe their leaders deliberately mislead them.
According to the 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer, roughly the same share say they hesitate to trust anyone who holds different values, facts, or views about how to solve society's problems.
These aren't just polling numbers. They are a design flaw and philanthropists are uniquely positioned to fix it. Read More.
American Values Alliance Condemns Shooting of Charlie Kirk
September 10, 2025
Today’s horrific attack on Charlie Kirk is unacceptable, and we extend our deepest condolences to his family and to the people of Utah, who have witnessed an assault on a leader engaged in public discourse and democratic participation.
The American Values Alliance condemns—in the strongest possible terms—all political violence. This this growing type of unconscionable violence cannot be allowed in our society. The shooting is a devastating reminder that our democracy is under threat. These assassination attempts against public figures rip apart the fabric of our society and must be stopped... Read More.
In Defense of Competence
August 6, 2025
Even in Polarized Times, Most Americans Want Government that Works
Despite partisan gridlock, Americans still agree on some basics: we want public funds used responsibly, disaster response to be effective, cybersecurity to be strong, and whistleblowers to be protected.
This week, several stories point to quiet areas of consensus, where most Americans agree on what “good government” looks like, even if politicians don’t always deliver... Read More.
August 4th Calls to Action
Military Families for Ethical Leadership
August 4, 2025
As August begins, many of us are preparing for back-to-school season and new routines. It’s a good time to reflect on the freedoms that shape our daily lives: the right to learn, read, speak out, vote, and live freely.
As military families know well, these freedoms don’t endure on their own. They require solidarity and a willingness to act. Especially for military families who embody service, sacrifice, and civic responsibility firsthand, this moment calls us to continue speaking up and pushing for a democracy that is accountable to its citizens. Read More.
July 28th Calls to Action
Military Families for Ethical Leadership
July 28, 2025
We’re starting this week by celebrating some good news announced on Friday: the Trump administration released over $5 billion in education funding that had been withheld. This critical support will help schools across the country, including those serving military families, access the resources they need...
No matter how small they may seem amid the current chaos, your actions are meaningful. So whether you have five minutes or five hours this week, add your voice to the coalition standing up for democracy and the values of our military-connected community.
Here are this week’s calls to action for military families... Read More.
Disaster Doesn't Check Political Boxes
July 15, 2025
Let’s Focus on Solutions that Unite Us:
"What made the Texas floods deadlier? Underinvestment in drainage systems, older homes in harm’s way, and overwhelmed rural towns made a terrible storm even worse. The Texas floods remind us that nature doesn’t check political affiliations. But here’s the hope: When local governments, nonprofits, businesses, and neighbors come together, they can save lives and strengthen trust. Read More.
Join Operation "Uncensor My Summer" to Push Back on Book Bans Across the Military Community
Military Families for Ethical Leadership
July 14, 2025
Second Lady Usha Vance wants you to read this summer. She’s launched a nationwide Summer Reading Challenge, encouraging families, including military families, to cozy up with books and build a love of learning.
We love books too. But there’s a problem with this challenge.
While the White House promotes reading with this challenge, military kids in Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools are being denied access to books that reflect diverse perspectives, important lived experiences, and critical social issues. Titles by authors that challenge the status quo are being banned or challenged on military bases across the globe. And it’s not just on base. These bans are happening in our communities around military bases too. All of this has a negative impact on military kids. Read More.
This Isn’t Just Mismanagement — It’s Sabotage
July 10, 2025
Two weeks ago, we warned that the system wasn’t just breaking: it was being systematically broken. This week, the consequences of that sabotage are flooding Texas neighborhoods, stalling federal agencies, and unraveling our institutions. This isn’t government “dysfunction.” It’s deliberate dismantling. Read More.
MFFE Launches Summer Resistance Reading Challenge to Protest Book Bans
Military Families for Ethical Leadership
July 7, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. - This summer, military families and their allies are taking a stand for the freedom to read by participating in the Second Lady’s Summer Reading Challenge to spotlight the rise of book bans in Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools and military-connected communities.
The “Uncensor My Summer” campaign led by Military Families for Free Expression (MFFE) invites military families and their allies with children in grades K-8 to turn their summer reading into an act of resistance by reading books for the Second Lady’s program that have been banned or challenged in DoDEA schools or local school districts. By coordinating, MFFE aims to create a visible culture of intellectual freedom and resist the spread of censorship targeting students in military-connected communities. Read More.
Coalition Updates
Cutting Agencies Shouldn’t Mean Cutting Expertise
July 24, 2025
This week, a new survey from the Partnership for Public Service reveals a surprising truth: solid majorities who favor Trump-era agency cuts also strongly support keeping the federal workforce apolitical and expert-driven—83% see a nonpartisan civil service as vital to our country’s wellbeing.
This offers a powerful window into public sentiment. Read More.
Disaster Doesn't Check Political Boxes
July 15, 2025
Let’s Focus on Solutions that Unite Us:
"What made the Texas floods deadlier? Underinvestment in drainage systems, older homes in harm’s way, and overwhelmed rural towns made a terrible storm even worse. The Texas floods remind us that nature doesn’t check political affiliations. But here’s the hope: When local governments, nonprofits, businesses, and neighbors come together, they can save lives and strengthen trust. Read More.
Join Operation "Uncensor My Summer" to Push Back on Book Bans Across the Military Community
Military Families for Ethical Leadership
July 14, 2025
Second Lady Usha Vance wants you to read this summer. She’s launched a nationwide Summer Reading Challenge, encouraging families, including military families, to cozy up with books and build a love of learning.
We love books too. But there’s a problem with this challenge.
While the White House promotes reading with this challenge, military kids in Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools are being denied access to books that reflect diverse perspectives, important lived experiences, and critical social issues. Titles by authors that challenge the status quo are being banned or challenged on military bases across the globe. And it’s not just on base. These bans are happening in our communities around military bases too. All of this has a negative impact on military kids. Read More.
This Isn’t Just Mismanagement — It’s Sabotage
July 10, 2025
Two weeks ago, we warned that the system wasn’t just breaking: it was being systematically broken. This week, the consequences of that sabotage are flooding Texas neighborhoods, stalling federal agencies, and unraveling our institutions. This isn’t government “dysfunction.” It’s deliberate dismantling. Read More.
Why We Celebrate
July 3, 2025
People Are Standing Up — and that’s Worth Celebrating
- In Arizona, a new state-run fellowship placed college students and recent graduates inside election offices to help run elections and fill staffing gaps. Several of these fellows have now committed to permanent roles, proving that early engagement can lead to lifelong public service.
- In Hardee County, Florida, local officials held their first-ever public appreciation event for election workers, honoring their role in the 2024 presidential, primary, and general elections. Certificates, coins, and community gratitude were shared, but as Supervisor of Elections Kimberly Smith said, “There is nothing we can give them that would be enough to pay them for their dedication.”
- Across the country, resources like the Democracy Law Blog’s guide on becoming a poll worker are helping ordinary Americans serve their communities during elections — not just as voters, but as stewards of democracy. Read More.
The System Isn’t Just Breaking. It’s Being Broken.
June 24, 2025
Over the weekend, Donald Trump ordered bombing strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, bypassing Congress and brushing aside the War Powers Act as if it were optional. According to reports, not only was there no consultation with legislative leadership—there was open defiance of the law. Legal experts have called it a violation of the War Powers Act, yet so far, silence dominates Capitol Hill.
There’s a reason Congress—not one person—was given the power to declare war. When presidents can unilaterally launch military action with no oversight, we don’t just lose balance of power—we lose the rule of law. Read More.
June 23rd Call to Action: Military families Demanding Peace and Accountability
MILITARY FAMILIES FOR ETHICAL LEADERSHIP
June 23, 2025
Military families are intimately familiar with the costs of war - not in headlines, but in homecomings that never happen, in the ripple effects of trauma, in the hearts of caregivers and survivors, and in the years stolen from our loved ones.
As tensions with Iran escalate while our community attempts to heal from the last 20 year war, we’re watching a dangerous pattern repeat: politicians talking tough while leaving our service members to carry the burden. We know how this goes. We’ve been here before. Read More.
How We Respond Will Define Who We Are: Mourning. Marching. Moving Forward.
June 15, 2025
This weekend, America witnessed three very different scenes—each a symbol of the moment we’re living through. In Minnesota, political violence escalated to a chilling new level, with two dead and two critically wounded in a politically-motivated assassination. More than 5 million people joined “No Kings” protests across 2,000 cities to resist authoritarianism and the abuse of power. And in Washington, DC, a military parade rolled through the the nation’s capital, marking President Trump’s 79th birthday and the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary. Together, these moments tell a story. We are a country in mourning, a nation in protest, and a democracy on the edge. What comes next will define who we are. Read More.
Statement on Assassination and Targeted Violence in Minnesota
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2025
“This tragic, horrifying attack is unacceptable, and we extend our deepest condolences to the victims, their families, and to the people of Minnesota - who have lost leaders devoted to public service and to building a better future for their communities.
“The American Values Alliance condemns—in the strongest possible terms—all political violence. The fatal shootings of State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband and shooting of State Senator John A. Hoffman and his wife in politically-motivated attacks in suburban Minnesota are devastating reminders that our democracy is under threat. These assassination attempts against public servants rip apart the fabric of our society and must be stopped. Read More.
You Deserve Better: Veterans and Military Families Rally Against Cuts
June 6, 2025, Washington, DC
On the 81st anniversary of D-Day, AVA advisor Libby Jamison helped organize veterans and military families on the National Mall to fight cuts at the VA and across the military community. "Thousands of veterans gathered and raised their fists to the rhythm of the punk rock band Dropkick Murphys on Washington, D.C.'s National Mall on Friday, rallying against the Trump administration's federal job cuts and the potential loss of government services." Read more at Military.com.
Military Families Oppose Censorship
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2025
Military Families Unite to Oppose Censorship
Committee Formed to Stand Up for Intellectual Freedom across our Military Bases and Communities
Washington, D.C. - A coalition of military-connected families has announced the formation of the Committee of Military Families for Free Expression (MFFE), a nonpartisan effort to stand up against censorship and book bans, grounded in the freedoms protected by those in uniform. Read more...
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