Aspen is a place for leaders to lift their sights above the possessions which possess them. To confront their own nature as human beings, to regain control over their own humanity by becoming more self-aware, more self-correcting, and hence more self-fulfilling.

Walter P. Paepcke, Aspen Institute Co-Founder

Carnegie Corporation of New York Awards Grant to Weave: The Social Fabric Project 

Funding will expand the Weave Learning Center and fuel a national tour to build trust nationwide 

Washington, DC, April 9, 2026 – Today, Weave: The Social Fabric Project at the Aspen Institute announced a $500,000 grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York to help fund new relational skill-building courses, investing in Weave’s work to strengthen the social foundations of American democracy. In addition to the new courses expanding the Weave Learning Center, the grant will enable significant updates to Weave’s award-winning interactive Trust Map and the execution of a national tour to model trust-building conversations.

“The awarding of this grant couldn’t come at a more critical time for Weave or the nation,” said Frederick J. Riley, executive director of Weave: The Social Fabric Project at the Aspen Institute. “At a time when the nation is gripped by multiple crises at the same time––loneliness, isolation, and disconnection––Weave is expanding our reach to meet these critical needs. This generous gift empowers Weave to foster deeper and stronger local relationships, new collaborations, and broaden the reach and impact of weavers nationwide. These resources equip us to continue supporting those who intentionally cultivate relationships, trust, and belonging in communities across the nation. Our work is the work of supporting trust-building, and Weave provides the resources to communities across the country to deepen and strengthen connections.”

One of the courses Weave will develop is inspired by How to Know a Person, written by Weave’s founder, author and journalist David Brooks.  Weave will also host local salons to amplify social trust-building opportunities in communities that are partnering with Weave to recognize, resource, and connect community-members who weave the social fabric in their neighborhoods and communities. These salons will take place in rural, urban, and midsized communities and will center connection and communication between diverse residents. Each salon will feature David Brooks and other civic leaders.

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The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve society’s greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, DC and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners. For more information, visit aspeninstitute.org.

Weave: The Social Fabric Project is a nationwide initiative of the Aspen Institute that supports grassroots leaders who are actively building social trust and fostering an inclusive social fabric in their communities. Weave strengthens these local “weavers” by providing access to resources, facilitating partnerships, and by training and supporting communities across the country to celebrate and promote weaving in their locales. David Brooks, former New York Times columnist and author, founded the project in 2018 and serves as its chair.

Carnegie Corporation of New York was established by Andrew Carnegie in 1911 to promote the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding. Today the foundation works to reduce political polarization through philanthropic support for the issues that Carnegie considered most important: education, democracy, and peace.

Contact: Safiya Jafari Simmons
[email protected]