Our ProgramsDemocracy, Ethics, & Public Trust

How Communities in Colombia are Mobilizing to Shape Their Own Best Futures

Advancing Participatory Democracy and JusticeWe believe that strengthening the fabric of democracy, rather than focusing on its mechanisms, is one of the keys to preserving it.

The Democracy, Ethics, and Public Trust (DEPT) Initiative helps grantees ‌reimagine and reinvigorate democratic culture and practices by expanding networks and encouraging new research and approaches. DEPT turns its goals into reality by funding institutions and projects designed to create equitable and accessible media and information ecosystems, and by fostering enthusiastic community participation in policy development.

Grant Categories

Program Impact: 2024

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Grantee Locations

Who We're Funding

Other Luce Programs

Across our grantmaking, we support collaborative, community-engaged research and community-led solutions to the complex challenges that have created deep divisions and inequities in our society. These convictions are present in the work of all our programs.

American Art

Through support for innovative museum projects, we strengthen the capacity of museums to support critical dialogues about creativity, difference, and common ground.

Asia

We believe a more peaceful and collaborative future can be forged by finding common ground across borders and cultures. With an emphasis on the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and ideas, we seek to promote trust and understanding among Americans and Asians and to increase awareness of Asian American experiences.

Indigenous Knowledge

We invest in culture bearers who are committed to sharing their work with their communities and other publics, and we strengthen the institutions that support them.

Public Policy

To honor our founder’s interest in developing public leadership, the Luce Foundation awards several Public Policy grants to organizations that deepen knowledge about philanthropy and how to execute it effectively. Past grants have supported orientation programs for new members of Congress, the study of the Presidency, and more.

How To LuceFeatured Resources

Building Collaborative Relationships: The First Convening of Democracy, Ethics, and Public Trust Grantees

The Henry Luce Foundation recently awarded more than $4 million through its Democracy, Ethics, and Public Trust (DEPT) initiative to twenty-one...
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Musk’s Twitter Will Not Be the Town Square the World Needs

In an Opinion piece for Wired, New_Public codirector Eli Pariser makes the case for an overlapping ecosystem of cross-connected public-service and...
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265 Organizations Contribute Ideas for a New Initiative

In May, the Henry Luce Foundation issued a call for ideas from potential partners around the world to help the Foundation shape a new initiative. The...
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Additional Resources

Looking for more insights and inspiration? Explore our curated selection of informative articles, videos, and related programs beyond Luce.

Media Impact Funders is a membership organization that advances the work of a broad range of funders committed to effective use and support of media in the public interest.
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The Peace and Security Funders Group connects and supports the global community of funders advancing peace and security efforts in order to build a more peaceful, just, and equitable world.
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The Higher Ed DEI Navigator curates the most current and reliable information for higher education faculty and staff committed to providing marginalized students with the supports and safety they need to succeed in college.
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Meet the Team

Apply for a GrantWe are committed to identifying the most promising ideas and projects for support. All Luce programs accept unsolicited inquiries through our online portal.

How to Apply

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We Can All Lead from Where We Are: A Conversation

initiative Religion in International Affairs

initiative Higher Education

post Pew Research Center Releases New Poll of Asians in the U.S.

LeadershipMeet the 2025-2026 Luce Scholars

Grantee SpotlightPreserving and Sharing the Untold Stories of the South Asian American Experience

CBL ConferenceGloria Thomas on Transforming Higher Education Leadership for Equity and Belonging

Virtual Event: Fabiola Jean-Louis’s Waters of the Abyss: An Intersection of Spirit and Freedom

Exhibition: Divergence of Legacy: Art of the American West in the 21st Century

Our ProgramsDemocracy, Ethics, & Public Trust

How Communities in Colombia are Mobilizing to Shape Their Own Best Futures

Advancing Participatory Democracy and JusticeWe believe that strengthening the fabric of democracy, rather than focusing on its mechanisms, is one of the keys to preserving it.

Program Impact: 2024

Grantee Locations

Who We're Funding

University of California, Merced

International Women's Media Foundation

THE CITY

Migration Policy Institute

Other Luce Programs

American Art

Asia

Indigenous Knowledge

How To LuceFeatured Resources

Building Collaborative Relationships: The First Convening of Democracy, Ethics, and Public Trust Grantees

Musk’s Twitter Will Not Be the Town Square the World Needs

265 Organizations Contribute Ideas for a New Initiative

Additional Resources

Media Impact Funders

Peace and Security Funders

Higher Ed DEI Navigator

Meet the Team

Sean Buffington

Luke Selenow

Apply for a GrantWe are committed to identifying the most promising ideas and projects for support. All Luce programs accept unsolicited inquiries through our online portal.

Grants PortalCreate an account or log into our grant application portal.

Explore Themes and Ideas

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