What The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation does

The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation is a 501(c)-style nonprofit founded in 1988 by Rich Harwood and headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland. Its core product is the Turning Outward practice, a methodology that teaches individuals and organizations to orient their work around community aspirations rather than internal priorities, supported by proprietary frameworks including the Public Capital Framework, Community Rhythms (Five Stages of Community Life), the Ripple Effect Model, and the Making the Invisible Visible tool. The Institute works with foundations, community organizations, corporations, and government entities through multi-year community initiatives, packaged research reports, and a learning division called The Harwood School. The Harwood School offers Public Innovators Labs ($995 per participant for a virtual five-week program), the 13-session Harwood Catalytic Guide Program (contact-based pricing), and the CIRCLE of Catalytic Funders network; the Institute also publishes books by Rich Harwood (Stepping Forward, Unleashed, The New Civic Path) and runs the national Campaign for the New Civic Path through 2026, including the 2025 documentary "Selma, Beacon of Hope."

The Institute is a small, mission-driven organization (1-10 employees) that monetizes primarily through a mix of foundation and corporate grants (Kettering, Patterson, Walton, Honda), training program fees, book and report sales, and individual donations. Distribution is community-embedded: existing partners act as referral channels, speaking engagements and media (PBS, MSNBC, Washington Post) drive top-of-funnel awareness, and the website/Eventbrite handle direct enrollment for entry-level Labs. The approach has reportedly reached communities in all 50 US states and 40 countries over 35+ years, but the Institute does not disclose revenue and operates without external PE/VC ownership.

Name

The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation

Legal name

The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation

Website

https://theharwoodinstitute.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation is a Bethesda-based nonprofit founded in 1988 that equips communities, foundations, and corporations with the Turning Outward practice and proprietary community-change frameworks through training programs, research reports, books, and multi-year community initiatives spanning all 50 US states and 40 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Civic Innovation and Community Change Consulting

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Engagement & Service-Learning Partnerships (EDALAOAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Research, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Partnerships (EDADALAK)

Keywords

• Community change consulting
• Civic innovation training
• Public capital research
• Nonprofit capacity building
• Foundation community partnerships

Headquarters

HQ city

Bethesda

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Book Sales: Sale of books authored by Rich Harwood including 'Stepping Forward' ($20.95), 'Unleashed' ($15.95), and 'The New Civic Path: Restoring Our Belief in One Another and Our Nation' (Amazon bestseller). Books serve both revenue and marketing functions.
2. Training Programs and Courses: Revenue from Public Innovators Labs ($995 per participant), Harwood Catalytic Guide Program (registration fees contact-based), and Book Circle Kits ($60). Programs offered in virtual and in-person formats.
3. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the nonprofit mission. Donation tiers available ($5, $10, $20, $25, $50, $100, custom amounts). Includes campaign-specific donations for the New Civic Path campaign.
4. Foundation and Corporate Grants: Partnership funding from foundations (Kettering Foundation, Walton Family Foundation, Patterson Foundation, etc.) and corporations (Honda) to produce community reports, conduct research, and support community initiatives.
5. Report Sales: Sale of printed reports such as 'Civic Virus: Why Polarization Is a Misdiagnosis' ($2.00 printed copy). Digital reports often provided free or at low cost.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation is a nonprofit that equips communities, organizations, and individuals with the Turning Outward practice and proprietary frameworks (Public Capital Framework, Ripple Effect Model, Community Rhythms) to bridge divides and tackle shared challenges. It delivers this through The Harwood School (Public Innovators Labs and the Catalytic Guide Program), multi-year embedded community partnerships funded by foundations and corporations, and thought-leadership books and reports authored by founder Rich Harwood.

Product overview

The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation is a nonprofit organization that operates as a single integrated platform centered on community change methodology, not a traditional software product. The core offering is The Harwood School, which encompasses learning programs including Public Innovators Labs (virtual and in-person training on the Turning Outward practice), the Harwood Catalytic Guide Program (an intensive 13-session learning experience), and the CIRCLE of Catalytic Funders (a national funder network). Supporting offerings include the Studio on Community (innovation workspace with associate/intern programs), published books by founder Rich Harwood (Unleashed, Stepping Forward, The New Civic Path), the Campaign for the New Civic Path (national awareness initiative), the Selma documentary film, the New Civic Path Book Circle Kit, and The Harwood North Star tool. The organization also produces extensive community reports and studies covering civic engagement, polarization, and community change methodology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Studio on Community: A combined workshop and research space where Rich Harwood and a team develop new ideas, projects, and initiatives for strengthening communities and society.
• Public Innovators Labs
• Harwood Catalytic Guide Program
• CIRCLE of Catalytic Funders
• Campaign for the New Civic Path

Products and services

• The Harwood School The learning and training division of The Harwood Institute that teaches individuals, organizations, and communities how to create lasting change using the Turning Outward practice, encompassing Public Innovators Labs, the Catalytic Guide Program, and CIRCLE of Catalytic Funders.
• Public Innovators Labs Virtual and in-person learning experiences teaching the Turning Outward practice and community change methodology. Lab 1: Getting Started runs as five weekly two-hour live sessions at $995 per participant and includes a Lab Guidebook, tools, books, and Resource Hub access.
• Harwood Catalytic Guide Program An intensive learning experience described as a 'practical PhD' in creating and catalyzing change, consisting of 13 two-hour virtual sessions that develop catalytic mindset and behaviors for foundations, nonprofits, and corporations.
• CIRCLE of Catalytic Funders A national network of philanthropic leaders exploring how funders can catalyze change by leveraging resources to address fault lines and strengthen civic culture in communities.
• Studio on Community A combined workshop and innovation space where Rich Harwood and a team develop new ideas, projects, and initiatives for strengthening communities and society, offering Studio Associate and Studio Intern positions.
• Unleashed: A Proven Way Communities Can Spread Change Book by Richard C. Harwood published by Kettering Foundation Press in 2021 at $15.95, drawing on 30 years of experience working with communities to explain how change ripples out through chain reactions.
• Stepping Forward: A Positive, Practical Path to Transform Our Communities and Our Lives Book by Richard C. Harwood published in 2019 by Greenleaf Book Group at $20.95, offering a positive, practical path to transform communities and lives by bridging divides and rediscovering shared purpose.
• The New Civic Path: Restoring Our Belief in One Another and Our Nation Amazon bestselling manifesto by Rich Harwood outlining a new civic path for Americans to come together amid divides and create change, supported through the multi-year Campaign for the New Civic Path running through 2026.
• Selma, Beacon of Hope Documentary short film released July 2025 as part of Rich Harwood's Campaign for the New Civic Path, exploring Selma, Alabama's civil rights legacy and the need for a new civic path forward.
• New Civic Path Book Circle Kit A $60 kit containing six copies of The New Civic Path book along with a Hosting Guide, Discussion Guide, Campaign Statement, bookmarks, stickers, and pens for community reading groups.
• The Harwood North Star A tool sold in packages of five that guides practitioners and organizations through the Turning Outward approach and keeps community change efforts grounded.

Quantifiable outcome

• Community initiatives generate measurable chain reactions of action within 2 years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and emerging.

• The Patterson FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Long-term strategic partner since 2012. Trained over 200 public innovators across a four-county region in Florida. Embedded Harwood approach across foundation programs including Aspirations2Action and Campaign for Grade Level Reading. Sent over 300 community members through Public Innovator Labs. Supported community initiative in Manatee County and Sarasota County public library systems.
• The Greater Clark FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-year community partnership in Winchester and Clark County, KY. Produced 'Waving the Community's Flag' (2017) and 'One Step At A Time' ripple effect report (2019). Held virtual convenings during COVID-19, provided coaching for Covid-focused coalition, and hosted 'Stepping Forward' Tour Stop. Ongoing collaborative work.
• Impact AlamanceflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare conversion foundation in Alamance County, NC. Produced 'Alamance Choosing Hope' report (2022). Launched three-year community initiative. Sent leadership through Catalytic Guide Program. Became founding member of CIRCLE of Catalytic Funders. Credits Harwood School with transforming internal culture and accelerating county-wide efforts.
• HondaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor corporate partner sending senior leaders through Catalytic Guide Program to refocus CSR efforts. Supported Public Capital Reports in Union County and Logan County, Ohio (2023). Working to align Honda's community investments with shared community aspirations. National strategy development for CSR.
• United Way of Berks CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped Senior Executive Team, Board, staff, and local public innovators using Harwood practice. Co-funded Reading, PA community initiative alongside coalition of local funders after 'Reading Thriving, Together' report release. Previous experience with Harwood during early childhood initiative development.
• United Way Greater TorontocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIncorporated Institute's practice for years to develop senior leadership and staff. Created 'Being Fiercely Local: A Roadmap for Action' (2019). Participating in Catalytic Community Guide Program. Partnership focused on fighting local poverty through community-driven change.
• The Walton Family FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported three community Public Capital Reports (Reading PA 2021, Clarksville TN 2022, Lexington KY 2022). Launched Harwood Ecosystem Approach in Lexington. Launched mini-community initiative in Clarksville. Supporting national communications on community-led change. Held 'how change happens' convening with senior staff.
• Kettering FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing research partner producing numerous nationwide studies including 'The Ripple Effect' (2015), 'Putting Community in Collective Impact' (2015), 'Seeking a New Relationship with Communities' (2020), 'A Tent Open On All Sides' (2020), and 'Civic Virus: Why Polarization Is a Misdiagnosis' (2022). Core funder of research and framework development.
• Greater Owensboro Leadership InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered on 'Building a Better Owensboro: A New Path Forward for Owensboro-Daviess County' (2024). Community initiative in Greater Owensboro, KY focused on addressing challenges while maintaining the area's family-oriented, faith-based character.
• United Way of the BluegrasscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered on 'Lexington's Path to Shared Purpose: A New Agenda for Education and the Community' (2022). Report addressed education equity and community strengthening in Lexington, KY.
• Black Belt Community FoundationemergingStrategic or Co-development PartnerExploring partnership opportunities in Selma and across Alabama's Black Belt region. Introduced to Institute by Reverend Lawrence Wofford of Selma NAACP. BBCF works across 12-county region addressing poverty and community development.
• Community Foundation for MississippicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreated 'A New Civic Covenant: Jackson Ready to Step Forward' (2019). Launched 3-year community initiative. Hosted Healing & Hope Tour Stop. Working on new Community Voice report focusing on Jackson's rebuilding after water crises, COVID-19, and other setbacks.
• Centro Hispano Daniel Torres, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered on Reading, PA community reports. Led next phase of community initiative in Reading alongside United Way of Berks County, Wyomissing Foundation, and Berks Alliance. Focus on education equity and ESL programs.
• United Way of Union CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpearheading and stewarding community work in Union County, OH following Honda partnership with Harwood Institute. Formed teams around youth, health, and arts. Led ripple effect phase producing 'Union County's Story of Change' (2026).
• President Lincoln's CottageemergingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnering as part of Cottage's 'Empathy & Connection: A Vision for America at 250' program. Premier cultural institution working on civic engagement around Lincoln's legacy.
• William & MaryemergingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCampaign partnership as part of university's Year of Civic Leadership. Second-oldest US institution of higher learning (founded 1693) preparing civic leaders. Partnership advances campaign's civic renewal mission.
• ten20 FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developed 'The Funders Roadmap: Creating Alignment, Trust and Impact in Communities' (2016) with Opportunity Child. Framework for funders based on Community Rhythms model.
• Opportunity ChildcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developed 'The Funders Roadmap' with ten20 Foundation. Initiative focused on improving outcomes for children and families through collective impact.
• Collective Impact ForumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduced 'Putting Community in Collective Impact' (2015) for the Collective Impact Forum with research collaboration from Kettering Foundation. Focus on integrating community voice into collective impact initiatives.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Kettering Foundation: Long-standing research partner of Harwood that also funds and produces civic-engagement research and convenings. Directly comparable as a foundation focused on democratic practice, citizen participation, and community problem-solving, with overlapping funder networks and parallel research output.
• Living Cities: Collaborative of major foundations and corporations working to close racial income gaps in US cities through cross-sector community change. Comparable as a methodology-driven, funder-convening organization focused on urban community transformation with a similar theory-of-change approach.
• Public Agenda: Nonprofit research and engagement organization focused on democratic deliberation, citizen choice, and community problem-solving. Comparable as a civic-engagement research and field-builder with shared funder networks and a similar commitment to community-driven change.
• Convergence Center for Policy Resolution: Nonprofit that designs and facilitates deliberative processes bringing together divided stakeholders to resolve contentious issues. Directly comparable to Harwood's bridging-divides, community-conversation approach with similar training and facilitation methodology.
• Everyday Democracy: Nonprofit focused on community organizing, dialogue, and equity through structured community-change processes. Comparable as a methodology-driven civic-engagement organization that trains local leaders and works with communities on equity-focused change — operating in the same niche.
• National Civic League: Century-old nonprofit advancing inclusive civic engagement, deliberative democracy, and equitable community governance. Comparable as a civic-engagement methodology organization providing training, convening, and frameworks to communities — directly overlapping with Harwood's mission space.

Broad incumbents

• Aspen Institute: Large, established policy and leadership organization running programs on civic dialogue, citizen engagement, and community change. Broader portfolio but overlapping mission space around civic renewal, leadership training, and convening cross-sector stakeholders.
• Knight Foundation: Major national funder of journalism, arts, and community engagement initiatives including civic-technology and community-information programs. Comparable as a sophisticated civic-engagement funder that Harwood's foundation partners (Walton, Patterson) often co-fund alongside.
• Case Foundation: Family foundation focused on civic participation, impact investing, and inclusive economic growth. Comparable as a civic-engagement-focused foundation with overlapping networks and shared theory-of-change around citizen participation.

Emerging players

• Institute for Civic Life (various university-based centers): University-affiliated civic-engagement centers focused on deliberative democracy, community-campus partnerships, and civic leadership development. Comparable in methodology and student/community training focus, though typically embedded in higher-education institutions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights4 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TheHarwoodInstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-harwood-institute-for-public-innovation
• Xx.com/HarwoodInst

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation