This year, Americans across the country will unite in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the greatest democratic republic in human history.
The Declaration’s bold assertion of the unalienable rights to “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” laid the foundation for a republic built on individual liberty and self-government.
Yet, as we approach this semiquincentennial, surveys and assessments reveal a troubling gap in civic knowledge among younger generations. Declining proficiency in U.S. history and civics, as measured by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, underscores the need to revitalize education that fosters appreciation for America’s founding ideals and the responsibilities of citizenship.
In summer 2024, ACTA released a College Pulse survey of 3,026 undergraduate students assessing their knowledge of basic American history and government. The results revealed significant gaps among current students and recent graduates. Only 60% of students knew the term lengths of members of Congress, 35% could correctly identify the current speaker of the House and just 28% recognized the 13th Amendment as the measure that abolished slavery.
These findings align with broader national trends. A 2024 U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation survey of 2,000 registered voters found that more than 70% of Americans failed a basic civic literacy quiz covering topics such as the three branches of government, the number of Supreme Court justices and other core democratic functions.
Fortunately, dedicated leaders in education are working to reverse this trend, and donors are stepping up to be part of the solution. Two years ago, Philanthropy Roundtable, with support from the Daniels Fund, highlighted twelve nonprofit organizations leading a growing movement to restore civic education in its Civics Playbook. These organizations exemplify innovative, engaging approaches to civic learning, and many are now launching special initiatives to mark America’s 250th (A250) anniversary.
State-Based Initiatives
Organizations such as Junior Achievement of Georgia and the Florida Education Foundation are bringing civics to life through experiential programs tailored to local communities.
With philanthropic support for capital costs, Junior Achievement of Georgia is expanding its impact by opening a new JA Discovery Center. The center provides immersive, hands-on education for middle school students (typically grades 6-8) in financial literacy, career readiness, entrepreneurship and civic engagement.
The Florida Education Foundation will host the National Civics and Debate Championships as part of its A250 celebrations, convening students statewide to engage in thoughtful debate and unite communities in reflection of our nation’s founding ideals.
Curriculum and Teacher Development
The Bill of Rights Institute (BRI), the Rendell Center for Civics and Civic Engagement and The National Association of Scholars, Civics Alliance emphasize high-quality resources and professional development to equip educators nationwide.
By July 2026, BRI plans to deliver more than 250 teacher and student programs centered on the nation’s 250th birthday. BRI has also launched four targeted A250 initiatives that blend technology, teacher incentives, expanded digital coursework and film-based curriculum to deepen engagement with the Declaration of Independence.
With history-based mock trials focused on America’s 250th, the Rendell Center is enabling students to explore founding-era decisions through interactive courtroom simulations.
The Civics Alliance has released a new Substack titled “The Road to the American Revolution,” a collection of educational articles that examine the events leading to the adoption of the Declaration. Unique in its chronological, step-by-step reconstruction of the Revolution, the series uses original sources and narrative detail to trace the unfolding of historic ideas, events and decisions.
Higher Education and Civic Leadership
Institutions such as the Jack Miller Center and Ashbrook Center are cultivating civic understanding on college campuses and among future leaders.
The Jack Miller Center is planning a range of A250 activities, including a National Summit on Civic Education, grants for undergraduate programs and state-level teacher awards to fund innovative projects tied to the Declaration.
To mark the anniversary year, the Ashbrook Center has created a Declaration-focused digital exhibit and interactive atlas for classroom use, alongside a signature convening exploring Thomas Jefferson’s contributions to America’s founding principles.
Immersive Experiences and Hands-On History
Founding Forward and the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia prioritize hands-on engagement with history through sites, exhibitions and public programs.
Founding Forward educates middle and high school students through immersive in-person civics education programs in Philadelphia and Valley Forge. In honor of A250, Founding Forward has developed signature events and programs, including residential student programs, teacher workshops, historic site visits and major Declaration-centered exhibitions.
The Museum of the American Revolution has launched “The Declaration’s Journey,” a major exhibition exploring the 250-year history and worldwide impact of the Deceleration of Independence. The exhibition features rare documents, artifacts and art work. It is complemented by other exciting A250 initiatives, including special displays, traveling educational trunks and living history programs.
Broad Public Outreach and National Dialogue
The National Constitution Center recently launched “Our Story Continues,” a national campaign spanning the next decade through the Constitution’s 250th anniversary in 2037. The initiative aims to ignite curiosity about the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution by engaging Americans in rediscovering and debating the nation’s founding principles.
The Center has also curated the America at 250 Civic Toolkit, which offers digital resources such as an Interactive Declaration of Independence and virtual student programming. Additional A250 initiatives include new funding-era exhibits focused on America’s origins and the separation of powers, citywide events in Philadelphia and national partnerships for civic dialogue.
As the organizations in the Civics Playbook demonstrate, the momentum surrounding America’s 250th is poised to reinvigorate civic education. Strategic philanthropic investments in these high-impact efforts can help ensure future generations understand and cherish the principles of liberty, opportunity and personal responsibility that have made our nation exceptional, securing them for another 250 years.
To learn more about these organizations or our Civics Playbook, please contact Senior Director of American Values and Policy Philanthropy Clarice Smith.
