Program Aims
Advancing participatory democracy and justice.
The Democracy, Ethics, and Public Trust Initiative supports efforts to re-imagine and re-invigorate democratic culture and practices. The initiative focuses on strengthening the fabric of democracy rather than its mechanisms. It does so by encouraging new research, seeding experimental approaches, and engendering new relationships and networks.
DEPT pursues three goals through its grantmaking:
1) Developing healthy and robust media and information ecosystems that are fair, equitable, accessible, and responsive
2) Fostering community participation in policy development and effective collaboration between communities and governments
3) Strengthening confidence that democracies can ensure the well-being of all their citizens
Democracy, Ethics, and Public Trust Program by the Numbers - 2023
Recent Grants
Program Administrators
Prior to joining the Luce Foundation in 2015, Sean served as President of the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. During his tenure, the University developed and introduced an innovative interdisciplinary curriculum, launched a number of new degrees, and established a program for creative entrepreneurs. Before moving to Philadelphia, Sean was a senior administrator at Harvard University, initially overseeing inter-faculty initiatives in neuroscience, health policy and environmental studies on behalf of the Provost, and then managing Harvard's arts and culture activities as Associate Provost. Sean received the A.B. summa cum laude from Harvard College, and an M.A. in American Culture from the University of Michigan.
Luke Selenow is a program assistant for the Office of the President at the Henry Luce Foundation.
Prior to joining the Foundation, Luke worked as a program assistant for the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) where he helped launch the Mercury Project, a research initiative focused on improving vaccine uptake and creating healthier information environments. Luke earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from George Washington University. During his time at George Washington, Luke was a legislative intern for Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer’s Office and a small business/economic development intern for Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer’s Office.
