POLIS is a community-based think tank that facilitates impactful philanthropy. We call ourselves a Think Well.

At POLIS Institute, we believe the best solutions start with listening. We bring together residents, local leaders, nonprofits, and funders to understand what families have, what they need and how we can work together for the common good.

POLIS helps philanthropy think better.
When funders think well and understand what families need, they invest well. 
When families think well and have the support they need, they live well.

Who We Are
POLIS means city. Cities thrive when dignity is upheld, families are strong, and neighborhoods flourish.  

What We Do
We exist to help communities think well and move toward that vision. It’s all about people.
Yes, we specialize in data, but the data always leads us back to FACES:

• Facilitate partnerships across sectors  
• Align efforts with shared values  
• Communicate lessons learned to guide investment  
• Evaluate real conditions affecting families  
• Strengthen programs with evidence-based models

   

Why It Matters

Because when we listen well and work together, families grow stronger, neighborhoods flourish, and entire cities move toward their God-given potential. Better thinking leads to better living.

How We Turn Insight Into Action

At POLIS, listening leads to understanding but understanding must lead to action.

True Impact Solutions are actionable strategies that put resources directly into the hands of individuals and families to improve health, wealth, and education outcomes.

These approaches move beyond traditional systems by investing directly in people through tools like guaranteed income, living wages, matched savings, and paid training.

True Impact is a Call to Action!

If we want different results, we have to fund differently.

• Commit at least 10% of funding directly to households
• Advocate for investments that prioritize people
• Support initiatives using direct-to-community funding
• Share solutions that produce measurable change

When resources reach people, outcomes change.
That’s how we Think Well to Live Well.

Together we can disrupt models that don’t work.
Let’s end inequality and poverty.

Discover True Impact