Celebrating Everyday Bravery: United Way's $5M Courage Project for Community Heroes
- The Chronicle News
- Aug 3
- 2 min read
In a national moment dominated by political noise and culture wars, a powerful initiative is quietly making headlines for all the right reasons.
The Courage Project, a new partnership led by United Way Worldwide and funded by organizations like Freedom Together and the MacArthur Foundation, is committing up to $5 million to recognize and uplift everyday Americans who demonstrate what they call “civic bravery.” That includes community organizers, volunteers, educators, legal advocates, and faith leaders who serve without the spotlight—but whose impact echoes across neighborhoods.
“This isn’t about celebrity. It’s about consistency,” said Courage Project organizer La’Mont Ferguson. “We’re lifting up people who step forward when it would be easier to step back.”
From Undocumented Students to Street Corner Ministries
The first round of Courage Project recipients highlights the spectrum of this work:
Women of Welcome, a Colorado-based faith group that supports immigrant families with housing, mentorship, and legal aid.
A coalition of public school teachers in Texas who created a community bail fund for undocumented students facing detainment.
A grassroots legal defense clinic in Mississippi working pro bono to support families impacted by voter suppression.
Each awardee receives national recognition, but the funding—up to $50,000 per person—goes to the nonprofit or community organization of their choosing. That means the impact multiplies outward, fueling not just individuals but the systems they’re helping build.
“The real power lies in reinvestment,” said United Way’s Senior Equity Officer Denise Boyd. “Recipients get to pay it forward in a way that’s meaningful to their own communities.”
Why It Matters
In a time when much of the national conversation around civic duty is wrapped in tension or burnout, The Courage Project is a timely reminder that impact isn’t always about big names or big stages. Sometimes, it’s the neighbor who organizes a food drive. The pastor who opens their church to houseless teens. The teacher who stays late so a student can finish their FAFSA. Michigan-based groups are encouraged to nominate local changemakers by visiting thecourageproject.org.
Chronicle Callout
Do you know someone in Lansing, Detroit, Jackson, Ypsilanti, or Grand Rapids making quiet moves that change lives?📩 Nominate them for a spotlight in our upcoming “Local Courage: Michigan’s Unsung Heroes” series.Email us at info@thechroniclenews86.com
Sources:
Associated Press. (2025, Aug. 2). A new award for 'civic bravery' recognizes everyday people who step up. AP News
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