Civic Circle® Pilots
Over the next two years, Points of Light will pilot Civic Circle® adoption and activation in three ways: through an issue area, a geographically-specific initiative and a focus on a single element of the circle. This is a living project, so stay connected with us for updates, new tools and outcomes that will help support nonprofits and NGOs in your everyday
work.
Houston
Location
We will build a strategy for citywide integration of the Civic Circle, with key milestones including the launch of a Learning Council of Houston area leaders to serve as champions; development of capacity building and new nonprofit Civic Circle products; and the creation of a talent development program for the next wave of civic leaders.
Objectives
- How does the adoption of the Civic Circle make Houston area nonprofits more successful as civic accelerants?
- How can the Civic Circle be leveraged as a talent development vehicle for building Houston’s next wave of civic leaders?
- What will it take for the culture of the Civic Circle to be sustainable in Houston?

Houston Timeline
Pilots socialized with the Board of Directors, POL senior leadership, members of the Affiliate Assembly
- Project plan developed
- Learning Council members identified
- Funding outreach begins
- Landscape analysis of existing civic engagement studies in Houston
- Kick-Off of Learning Council
- Initial funding for pilot confirmed.
- Awareness and training resources built for existing POL partners
- Kick-off training for POL partners
- Corporate partners confirmed for SBV Capacity Building projects
- Conference host committee established
- Leader Corps outreach begins
- Identification and kick-off of new product builds necessary for adoption.
- FY24 Conference
- Leader Corps kick-off
- Implementation continued with new product releases
- Evaluation of initial Houston work.
- Identification of needed templates for POL creation & build.
- POL exit plan created for Houston-specific work.
Pilots socialized with the Board of Directors, POL senior leadership, members of the Affiliate Assembly
- Project plan developed
- Learning Council members identified
- Funding outreach begins
- Landscape analysis of existing civic engagement studies in Houston
- Kick-Off of Learning Council
- Initial funding for pilot confirmed.
- Awareness and training resources built for existing POL partners
- Kick-off training for POL partners
- Corporate partners confirmed for SBV Capacity Building projects
- Conference host committee established
- Leader Corps outreach begins
- Identification and kick-off of new product builds necessary for adoption.
- FY24 Conference
- Leader Corps kick-off
- Implementation continued with new product releases
- Evaluation of initial Houston work.
- Identification of needed templates for POL creation & build.
- POL exit plan created for Houston-specific work.
Disaster
Issue Area
We will leverage our expertise as a convener to build opportunities for thought leadership and coordinated resiliency efforts. Key milestones will include the launch of the Allstate Disaster Toolkit, the 2024 Social Impact Summit in Warsaw, and the establishment of a digital response offering.
Objectives
- How can the Civic Circle be used to expand the types of organizations involved in disaster response?
- How can the Civic Circle remove barriers to civic engagement so those facing the most significant inequities due to disasters have a voice in creating change?
- How does the Civic Circle define POL’s ongoing role in disaster work?

Disaster Timeline
Pilots socialized with the Board of Directors, POL senior leadership, members of the Affiliate Assembly
- Project plan released
- Element leaders identified
- Funding outreach begins
- Toolkit launch at Conference
- Landscape analysis of existing resources.
- Creation of Network resources
- Toolkit implementation work begins
- Global Gathering Social Impact Day planning commences
- Initial funding for the pilot confirmed
- Corporate partners engaged
- Conference host committee established
- Diversification of Civic Circle corporate activations
- Affiliate Fellowships launched
- Activation work commences
- Global Gathering Disaster Program
- Digital programming assessment and proposed build.
- FY24 Conference
- Toolkit assessment and refinement
- Engage build launch
- Evaluation of initial work.
- Identification of needed templates for POL creation & build.
- Next step plan created for disaster work.
Pilots socialized with the Board of Directors, POL senior leadership, members of the Affiliate Assembly
- Project plan released
- Element leaders identified
- Funding outreach begins
- Toolkit launch at Conference
- Landscape analysis of existing resources.
- Creation of Network resources
- Toolkit implementation work begins
- Global Gathering Social Impact Day planning commences
- Initial funding for the pilot confirmed
- Corporate partners engaged
- Conference host committee established
- Diversification of Civic Circle corporate activations
- Affiliate Fellowships launched
- Activation work commences
- Global Gathering Disaster Program
- Digital programming assessment and proposed build.
- FY24 Conference
- Toolkit assessment and refinement
- Engage build launch
- Evaluation of initial work.
- Identification of needed templates for POL creation & build.
- Next step plan created for disaster work.
Voice
Civic Circle Element
We will expand supports for Daily Point of Light honorees and offer new advocacy resources to the social sector in order to harness the legacy of President George H.W. Bush in honoring young changemakers. Our pilot design will focus on supporting Daily Point of Light honorees and other NGOs with resources, training and learnings for increased social impact advocacy.
Objectives
- How can Voice be used as a civic accelerant catalyzing a diversity of voices?
- How does the Voice element serve as a resource for our Daily Point of Light Honorees?
- How does a single element look when implemented within the Civic Circle?

Voice Timeline
Pilots socialized with the Board of Directors, POL senior leadership, members of the Affiliate Assembly
- Project plan released
- Key partners identified
- Funding outreach begins
- DPOL focus groups
- Landscape analysis of existing resources.
- Initial partnership conversations
- DPOL focus groups
- Global Gathering Social Impact Day planning commences
- Initial funding for the pilot confirmed
- Pro bono companies engaged
- Supports for DPOL NGOs developed
- Programing identified for convening
- Resource development begins
- Pilot DPOL NGO programming launched
- FY25 Convening announced
- Resource rollout
- DPOL supports reviewed and finalized
- Partnership convening held
- Evaluation of initial work.
- Identification of needed templates for POL creation & build.
- Next step plan created for disaster work.
Pilots socialized with the Board of Directors, POL senior leadership, members of the Affiliate Assembly
- Project plan released
- Key partners identified
- Funding outreach begins
- DPOL focus groups
- Landscape analysis of existing resources.
- Initial partnership conversations
- DPOL focus groups
- Global Gathering Social Impact Day planning commences
- Initial funding for the pilot confirmed
- Pro bono companies engaged
- Supports for DPOL NGOs developed
- Programing identified for convening
- Resource development begins
- Pilot DPOL NGO programming launched
- FY25 Convening announced
- Resource rollout
- DPOL supports reviewed and finalized
- Partnership convening held
- Evaluation of initial work.
- Identification of needed templates for POL creation & build.
- Next step plan created for disaster work.
Stay in Touch
Join Points of Light's mailing list to stay informed about the Civic Circle Pilot Program, upcoming events and opportunities, our latest research and more.