Reclaiming civility.

Since 1997, the Institute for Civility has been working to promote civility—in government, workplaces, schools, and anywhere people gather to live, learn, work, and play.

In 2023, we updated our name from the Institute for Civility in Government to better reflect the broad scope of our reach.

About us

Our goal is a more civil society.

The Institute for Civility is dedicated to reducing polarization by facilitating dialogue, teaching respect, and building civility in both the public and private spheres.

Our Programs

Let’s Connect

Civility… straight to your inbox.

Subscribe to receive news, events, research, and information about civility.

  • Upcoming events
  • Tips and resources
  • Latest news and research

What’s new?

Here’s the latest.

Civility Is Not Agreement—It’s Respect: Founders Featured on SideBar Podcast

What does civility mean in a world of noise, division, and outrage? For Institute for Civility co-founders Cassandra Dahnke and Tomas Spath, civility is more than just manners—it’s the foundation for meaningful change. In their recent feature on the SideBar podcast, they reflect on their 30-year journey advocating for civility in schools, workplaces, and government….
Read More » Civility Is Not Agreement—It’s Respect: Founders Featured on SideBar Podcast

Building Bridges: How Civility Training is Transforming Workplaces and Communities

In today’s polarized climate, civility training is becoming increasingly crucial for fostering respectful and effective communication in diverse settings. The Institute for Civility is seeing a surge in requests for our programs as political, racial, gender, religious, and generational differences continue to spill over into the workplace. Organizations across various sectors—businesses, educational institutions, government bodies, and more—are seeking…
Read More » Building Bridges: How Civility Training is Transforming Workplaces and Communities

Inspiring the Next Generation: Our Student Legislative Seminar

From June 1-6, the Institute for Civility proudly led its second Student Legislative Seminar of 2024, featuring enthusiastic students from Palacios and Wharton, TX high schools. Both schools have been valued participants in our program for many years, and this session was no exception in terms of impact and engagement. Despite the summer heat and…
Read More » Inspiring the Next Generation: Our Student Legislative Seminar

Our Community

We’re in this together.

Join a community working to promote civility.

Community Supporters
Program Participants
Years Promoting Civility

Want to contribute?

Your gift helps us spread the word about civility through trainings, student events, and other outreach efforts.