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A Great Stride Toward Thriving Together

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Across the country, a movement to thrive together is rising. Its central vision: a future where all people and places thrive together—no exceptions. What if we could make a great stride toward achieving that vision in the next decade?

A woman with long dark hair and glasses speaks into a microphone while gesturing with her hand, seated in front of a brick wall.
Three young adults smiling and standing close together outdoors, with trees and buildings visible in the background.

Imagine celebrating a 20 point increase in the number of people thriving nationwide by 2036

Why This Goal Matters

Data from Rippel and Gallup’s October 2026 report reveal a sobering trend: well-being in America is low—and falling fast. We are in the midst of a steep slide with only 48.1% of U.S. adults thriving, down from roughly 59% in 2021, meaning the majority are now struggling and suffering. But with concerted effort we can reverse this trend and make great strides toward a future in which all people and places thrive together.

Important Work Is Already Underway

Across the country, stewards are rising to create a future where thriving is the norm, not the exception. Their efforts span the four connected drivers of well-being: strengthening belonging and civic muscle, investing in the vital conditions, promoting fairness in system design, and ensuring urgent services are adequate enough to meet immediate needs, but not relied upon as a path to thriving.

Below are some examples of how stewards are building a future where all people and places thrive together. For even more, visit Stewards Rising and listen to the Unsung Stewards podcast.

Communities Rising: Thriving Together in a Divided World

National Civic League

Building Belonging and Civic Muscle Through Journalism

Rippel Foundation

New Community Health Needs Assessment identifies shared priorities for improving well-being in the Mat-Su

Mat-Su Health Foundation

Moving from our porches to the public square in 2026

MinnPost

This inclusive Cincinnati neighborhood thrives on people power

Soapbox Cincinnati

The Infrastructure of Trust: How Local Civic Hubs Are Rebuilding Democracy Across Rural America

Ford Foundation

Can We Count You In?

The goal of increasing thriving by 20 points in the next decade is bringing together bold dreamers, practical doers, and curious learners committed to pursuing a great stride toward thriving together.

This goal belongs to all of us. There is no one-size-fits-all path or commitment; our progress depends on all of us weaving our strengths together. Through courageous actions, sustained investment in the drivers of health and well-being, and a shared sense of imagination and purpose, we can make this big stride possible, setting up a thriving future for generations to come.

Click below to share your commitment—and meet fellow stewards who have done the same. What does it mean to be counted in? Explore our FAQs here.

Count me in
“I am a connector and working in communities all around the country ready to be fully engaged in thriving together.”

Dora Barilla
HC2 Strategies

“We are in a moment where we can test and replicate both actions and measures to improve learning and outcomes.”

Jason Schulist
Fox Valley Data Exchange

“There is no time like the present to come together and upend the status quo for well-being for people and place - I'm in!”

Lindsay Morgan Tracy
Economic Justice Alliance (Washington State)

“Because the great stride goal is aspirational-bordering-on-impossible—and it's what's needed right now."

Rick Brush
Collective Health

Here Is What You Can Do Today

Embracing this goal means that you agree that a great stride toward thriving together is not only necessary—but with concerted effort, it is possible. And you share a commitment to learn, adapt, and take meaningful steps across the four drivers of thriving: strengthening belonging and civic muscle, investing in the vital conditions, promoting fairness in system design, and ensuring urgent services are adequate to meet immediate needs, but not relied upon as a path to thriving.

 

No matter where you are, or where you are starting from, you can take simple steps today:

  • Sign On: Add your name or organization to publicly affirm your commitment. (You’ll receive updates, learning opportunities, and ways to collaborate.)
  • Join Conversations With Fellow Stewards: Watch a recording from our March 30 webinar and join regular vital conditions conversations to share questions and learn together.
  • Use the Hub: Explore the Movement to Thrive Together hub for data and resources that can be curated to understand your local context.
  • Share Stories: Tell us how you’re supporting thriving in your community—your story can inspire others to act.
  • Make Courageous Moves: Bring the vital conditions framework to your colleagues, board, policy makers, or neighbors.
  • Explore Possibilities: Connect with us for thought partnership on what actions make sense for your context.

Rippel’s Commitment

We are committed to aligning our time, energy, and resources with this goal. Building on our four strategic commitments, we are focused on building the momentum, infrastructure, and collective will needed to move decisively toward a 20-point increase in thriving by 2036.

Making progress and possibility visible reminds us that we are not alone and inspires action. We’ll be elevating stories of stewards who are working to create thriving communities—and sharing patterns of momentum that are worth recognizing and celebrating.

  • Stewards Rising: A growing set of stories of action from stewards
  • Unsung Stewards: A podcast celebrating stewards and exploring their journeys
  • Trend Spotting: Monthly insights on trends and signals shaping the future of thriving

We’re sharing tools and resources across our core topic areas, and will be launching more opportunities to apply these tools in your community.

We’re also creating spaces to connect with other stewards to share lessons and build community. Join us:

We’re building the infrastructure to map and track progress toward the goal, helping every steward see how their work contributes to a nationwide movement.

Let’s Connect!

Reach out to us with your questions, insights, and stories. Let’s build community as we work together to create a thriving future now and for generations to come.

Connect With Us
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