Convergence
Convergence Center for Policy Resolution is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that convenes ideologically diverse leaders — from business, government, foundations, and civic life — to build consensus policy solutions on contentious U.S. issues through state-level collaboratives, the Learning Lab, and the Convergence Compass online learning program.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Convergence does
Convergence Center for Policy Resolution is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. that convenes ideologically diverse leaders — from business, government, foundations, higher education, and civic communities — to develop consensus policy solutions on contentious U.S. issues. Founded in 2011 by Rob Fersh (now Senior Advisor) and currently led by CEO Mariah Levison, the organization operates a portfolio of multi-stakeholder "Convergence Collaboratives" addressing economic opportunity (child care, prekindergarten, working families), health and wellbeing (social factors of health), democracy and civic engagement, and energy and climate — with active state-level initiatives in Kentucky, Virginia, Iowa, Alaska, Texas, Wisconsin, and Tennessee, plus national projects. Its methodology is a five-step, evidence-based collaborative problem-solving framework grounded in contact theory, neuroscience, and psychology.
The product surface rests on three legs: (1) bespoke, multi-year Convergence Collaboratives that sequence issue selection, table-setting, trust-building, consensus generation, and on-the-ground implementation; (2) the Learning Lab, which delivers customized training and consulting to businesses, foundations, government agencies, and higher education institutions; and (3) Convergence Compass, an online learning program built in partnership with the Constructive Dialogue Institute and UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, with self-paced, cohort, and 1:1 coaching tiers. Citizen Solutions, co-delivered with Builders Movement, extends the methodology into citizen-led policy work across multiple states.
The revenue model is multi-stream and characteristic of a U.S. policy nonprofit: foundation grants (including a transformational $4M MacKenzie Scott grant in 2021 and project-specific support from Packard, M.J. Murdock, Annie E. Casey, Rockefeller, Kaiser Permanente, and others), individual and corporate donations, and earned revenue from Learning Lab programs and the Convergence Compass learning product. The organization is remote-first with 11–50 employees and is governed by a board that includes senior figures from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, GitLab Foundation, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, GoFundMe, AFP Global, Americans for Prosperity, and Bridge USA.
Convergence firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Convergence
- Legal name
- Convergence Center for Policy Resolution
- Website
- https://convergencepolicy.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Convergence Center for Policy Resolution is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that convenes ideologically diverse leaders — from business, government, foundations, and civic life — to build consensus policy solutions on contentious U.S. issues through state-level collaboratives, the Learning Lab, and the Convergence Compass online learning program.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Convergence industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Conflict Resolution and Consensus-Building Services
- NAICS
- Social Advocacy Organizations (81331), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Government, Public Policy & Regulatory Congresses (THAHAJAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Nonprofit, Social Services & Community Development Congresses (THAHAJAO), International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)
Keywords
Where Convergence is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Convergence business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: Convergence is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 32-0280279) that relies on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. They accept donations online, by credit card, check, wire, stock donation, and through donor-advised funds.
- Foundation Grants: Major grants from foundations including a transformational $4 million grant from MacKenzie Scott in 2021. Multiple foundation funders for specific projects including Packard Foundation, Lift a Life Novak Family Foundation, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, and others.
- Learning Lab Programs: Revenue from training and consulting services including the Convergence Compass online learning program, cohort programs, and 1:1 coaching services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | One-time | Self-Paced Online Learning Program |
| Subscription | One-time | Cohort Model Program |
| Unit Pricing | One-time | 1:1 Coaching Add-On |
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Convergence product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Convergence Center for Policy Resolution convenes ideologically, politically, and culturally diverse leaders around contentious national issues to build consensus and on-the-ground policy outcomes. Its core offerings are Convergence Collaboratives (multi-stakeholder consensus processes), the Learning Lab (training and consulting), the Convergence Compass online learning program, and the Citizen Solutions civic program. Services are paid for via foundation grants, individual/corporate donations, and earned consulting/training fees.
Product overview
Convergence Center for Policy Resolution is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of collaborative problem-solving programs and training services. Its core offering consists of Convergence Collaboratives — multi-stakeholder initiatives that bring together leaders across ideological, political, and cultural lines to build trust and develop consensus solutions on contentious policy issues. These include collaboratives focused on supports for working families, child care (Kentucky), prekindergarten design (Texas), energy policy (Virginia, Iowa), health factors, and early childhood education. Complementing these programs is the Learning Lab, which provides training and consulting services for businesses, foundations, government agencies, and higher education institutions on collaborative problem-solving and bridgebuilding. The Convergence Compass is an online learning program developed in partnership with Constructive Dialogue Institute and UC Berkeley that teaches evidence-based dialogue strategies. Citizen Solutions is a civic program that engages citizens across political perspectives to co-create policy solutions. The organization also runs thematic programs in democracy and civic engagement, economic opportunity, and health and wellbeing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Convergence Learning Lab: A comprehensive program building leaders' capacity to bring people together to break gridlock and solve critical problems across deep divisions
- Convergence Compass
- Convergence Collaborative on Supports for Working Families
- Virginia Energy Collaborative
- Iowa Energy Collaborative
- Texas PreK Collaborative
- Alaska Collaborative
- Kentucky Child Care Collaborative
- Citizen Solutions
- Social Factors of Health Collaborative
Products and services
- Learning Lab A comprehensive training and consulting program building leaders' capacity to bring people together to break gridlock and solve critical problems across deep divisions, offered to businesses, foundations, government agencies, higher education institutions, and community organizations.
- Convergence Compass Online learning program (self-paced and cohort-based) that teaches participants what drives division and provides evidence-based strategies for effective dialogue and collaborative problem-solving, developed in partnership with the Constructive Dialogue Institute and UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center.
- Convergence Collaborative on Supports for Working Families A cross-partisan Convergence Collaborative bringing together ideologically diverse family policy leaders across sectors to develop consensus recommendations supporting low-to-moderate income families with young children, including childcare, financial support, and parental leave policies.
- Kentucky Collaborative on Child Care A state-level Convergence Collaborative partnering with the Kentucky Chamber Foundation and the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Center for Policy and Research to build consensus on increasing access to high-quality child care, funded by the Lift a Life Novak Family Foundation.
- Texas Prekindergarten Design Collaborative A statewide Convergence Collaborative with Child Care Associates (CCA) aimed at strengthening the state's pre-K ecosystem and addressing mixed-delivery implementation in Texas.
- Convergence Collaborative on Thriving Kids for a Thriving Alaska A Convergence Collaborative focused on building solutions for Alaska's children and family wellbeing and state economic success, addressing childcare access and early childhood development.
- Virginia Sustainable Energy Collaborative A Convergence Collaborative addressing Virginia's energy challenges by bringing together leaders across sectors to develop consensus policies for reliable, affordable, and clean energy.
- Iowa Renewable Energy Siting Collaborative A Convergence Collaborative engaging diverse stakeholders in Iowa to explore policies and strategies that improve renewable energy siting outcomes across the state.
- Convergence Collaborative on Social Factors of Health A Convergence Collaborative working to create better policy environments for addressing social determinants of health including housing, nutrition, social services, and community health, funded by CommonSpirit Health, Episcopal Health Foundation, and Kaiser Permanente.
- Jefferson County Early Childhood Education Stakeholder Collaboration A local Convergence initiative in Jefferson County, Kentucky, building a connected, aligned, and efficient early childhood education system through strategic stakeholder coordination.
- Citizen Solutions A civic engagement program led by Builders Movement in collaboration with Convergence, bringing citizens across the ideological spectrum together to co-create policy solutions, with implementation in multiple states and documented legislative outcomes.
Quantifiable outcome
- Kentucky child care reform legislation signed into law following collaborative process
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Convergence
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Convergence technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Convergence partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Builders MovementcoreBuilders Movement empowers Americans to overcome an us vs. them mindset and create lasting solutions reflecting the will of the people. Collaboration on Citizen Solutions program brings citizens across ideological spectrum together to create policy solutions.
- Child Care Associates (CCA)corePartnership with one of Texas's largest and most experienced child development organizations to launch statewide Collaborative aimed at strengthening implementation of the state's pre-K ecosystem.
- Alaska Children's TrustcorePartnership for Convergence Collaborative on Thriving Kids for a Thriving Alaska, building solutions for Alaska's children and family wellbeing and state economic success.
- Constructive Dialogue InstitutecorePartner in development of Convergence Compass online learning program that teaches evidence-based strategies for effective dialogue and collaborative problem-solving.
- UC Berkeley Greater Good Science CentercoreAcademic partner in development of Convergence Compass curriculum, contributing research-based insights on polarization, conflict resolution, and collaborative problem-solving.
- Kentucky Chamber FoundationcorePartnership for Kentucky Collaborative on Child Care initiative to increase access to high-quality child care in Kentucky. Brings together stakeholders from around the state with different perspectives to identify shared solutions. Funded by Lift a Life Novak Family Foundation.
- Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Center for Policy and ResearchcorePartnership for Kentucky Collaborative on Child Care to build consensus on increasing access to high-quality child care supporting Kentucky's children, families, and economy.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Convergence competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Braver Angels: National nonprofit dedicated to bridging political divides through structured dialogues, workshops, and citizen workshops — directly comparable to Convergence's cross-partisan convening and collaborative problem-solving methodology on divisive national issues.
- Search for Common Ground: Global conflict resolution nonprofit where Convergence's founder previously served as U.S. country director. Directly comparable mission of convening divided parties to build consensus and resolve contentious issues, with overlap in methodology and target constituency of bridgebuilders.
- More in Common: International nonprofit focused on reducing polarization and building cross-cutting social connections through research and field initiatives. Direct peer to Convergence in bridgebuilding, with overlapping funder base and methodology.
- Bridge USA: Student-led organization working to depolarize campuses and equip young people to engage across differences. Directly comparable mission and methodology; Manu Meel, Bridge USA's Executive Director, sits on Convergence's board, evidencing deep operational overlap.
- National Institute for Civil Discourse: University-based institute focused on reducing political polarization and supporting civil discourse through research and convenings. Comparable mission to Convergence's cross-partisan dialogue work, with similar academic and policy-adjacent positioning.
- New Pluralists: Collaborative of funders and field builders working to strengthen pluralism in America; named funder of Convergence Compass. Operates as both peer and ecosystem partner in the bridgebuilding field.
Emerging players
- Constructive Dialogue Institute: Provider of evidence-based dialogue and perspective-taking curricula for higher education and workplaces. Direct technology/content partner on Convergence Compass; comparable in methodology and target segments (students, professionals) with a narrower product focus.
- Living Room Conversations: Nonprofit that structures small-group conversations across political, ideological, and cultural differences. Comparable methodology at a more grassroots scale than Convergence's large-scale policy collaboratives.
- Heterodox Academy: Organization promoting viewpoint diversity and open inquiry in higher education and academia. Comparable mission on cross-ideological engagement, with a narrower focus on academic institutions than Convergence's broader government/policy scope.
- Listen First Project: Nonprofit coalition building bridges of understanding through storytelling and dialogue across difference. Comparable grassroots bridgebuilding orientation to Convergence's Citizen Solutions program.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Convergence social profiles
Digital presenceConvergence financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Convergence leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles21 records
Convergence funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Convergence M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Convergence
What does Convergence do?
Convergence Center for Policy Resolution convenes ideologically, politically, and culturally diverse leaders around contentious national issues to build consensus and on-the-ground policy outcomes. Its core offerings are Convergence Collaboratives (multi-stakeholder consensus processes), the Learning Lab (training and consulting), the Convergence Compass online learning program, and the Citizen Solutions civic program. Services are paid for via foundation grants, individual/corporate donations, and earned consulting/training fees.
Is Convergence a public or private company?
Convergence is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Convergence founded?
Convergence was founded in 2011. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Convergence based?
Convergence is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Convergence make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are foundation Grants and learning Lab Programs.
Who are Convergence's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Braver Angels, Search for Common Ground, More in Common, Bridge USA, National Institute for Civil Discourse and New Pluralists. Emerging players are Constructive Dialogue Institute, Living Room Conversations, Heterodox Academy and Listen First Project.
Does Convergence have an API?
No public API is recorded for Convergence.
What industry is Convergence in?
Convergence's product category is Conflict Resolution and Consensus-Building Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAHAJAF, Government, Public Policy & Regulatory Congresses, with a secondary code of THAHAJAO, Nonprofit, Social Services & Community Development Congresses. Its NAICS code is 81331 and its SIC code is 8600.