Building
Opportunity
Through Stronger
Communities
A Walton Family Foundation report in partnership with Gallup
Opportunity grows when people have a voice in shaping the places they call home. Americans see their communities as places worth investing in — and they want to help make them better.
But many don't believe their ideas will be heard — or that they have a say in what comes next. Our partners at Gallup asked Americans about their communities and what inspires them to contribute. Here's what they said...
Americans believe in their communities.
71% of Americans say the area where they live is worth investing in.
60% feel hopeful about the future of their community.
For many, that belief comes with a desire to contribute.
46%
say they feel motivated to give back to their town or city.
But wanting to contribute doesn't always mean feeling heard.
Strong communities give people meaningful ways to participate and contribute their ideas. Yet many Americans aren't confident they have that opportunity.
42% say people like them have a voice in local decisions that matter.
34% believe someone would listen if they had an idea for improving their town or city.
Feeling heard is connected to participation — and to opportunity.
71% vs. 33%
Among people who believe someone would listen to their ideas, 71% feel motivated to give back. Among those who don't, just 33% say the same.
When people feel they are being heard, the potential for opportunity grows.
People who experience stronger community conditions — including supportive relationships and communities that take residents’ ideas seriously — are more likely to feel they can shape their own path.
Working With Communities to Expand Opportunity
The future of a community is shaped in countless ways — through the places where people gather, the opportunities available to young people and the health of the land and water around them. At the Walton Family Foundation, we believe those closest to community challenges are closest to the solutions.
The foundation works alongside residents and local leaders to build vibrant public spaces and create pathways to education, jobs and economic mobility.
We support teachers with great ideas to strengthen classrooms — so students can build choice-filled lives.
And we partner with people using nature-based solutions that protect water, help communities adapt to climate change and create a healthier future.
The challenges are different. So are the solutions. But the principle is the same: