Walton Family Foundation Opportunity in America Research

Seven in 10 Americans say the area where they live is worth investing in, and about half feel a strong sense of responsibility to help make it better. Yet just one in three believe someone would listen if they had an idea to improve their town or city. This report examines what happens when residents want to contribute: whether they expect to be heard, whether they see their communities as prepared for future challenges and how those views relate to their willingness to give back.

The connection is strong. Residents who believe someone would listen are more than twice as likely to feel motivated to give back (71% vs. 33%), and those who see their community as prepared for the future are about two times as likely to feel motivated to give back (60% vs. 36%). Younger adults are just as motivated as older adults to contribute, even though they are less positive about whether their communities are worth investing in, whether their ideas will be heard and whether their communities are ready for what comes next.

Explore the full report to learn how being heard shapes Americans’ willingness to invest in their communities and what communities can do to make participation feel meaningful.