A nation guided by compassion rather than power.
A Nurturing Nation is an initiative of Values to Action dedicated to placing human wellbeing, fairness, and compassion at the center of public life. For decades, America has been shaped by a powerful idea: maximize profit, no matter the cost. The result has been rising wealth for a few, while leaving the majority to struggle with growing harm to health, families, communities, and democracy. Together, we can help build a different future, one guided by care and shared responsibility. Small actions, taken together, are how a nurturing nation grows.
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What is A Nurturing Nation?
A Nurturing Nation is a long-term movement to help the United States become a society that consistently supports healthy development, strong families, and thriving communities. Grounded in decades of behavioral science and public health research, we work to:
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Challenge systems that prioritize profit over people
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Advance evidence-based policies that foster wellbeing and equity
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Build a broad, values-driven movement rooted in kindness, dignity, and shared responsibility
Decades of evidence point to the same conclusion: the most powerful drivers of long-term wellbeing are family economic stability and safe, nurturing childhoods. When families face poverty and insecurity, risks like child maltreatment (abuse and neglect), school failure, substance use, and chronic disease rise—often as a result of systems that prioritize profit over wellbeing.
A truly nurturing nation prevents harm before it occurs by creating the conditions in which people and families can thrive. That’s why Values to Action is advancing Action Circles to help communities identify local needs, lift up proven solutions, and push for policies that strengthen families—especially in the earliest years of life—so fewer problems occur in the first place.
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How We Build Change
We help turn the vision of A Nurturing Nation into practical progress by combinings research, storytelling, and organizing to help people see both the problem and the possibility:
We analyze the landscape
We study what organizations across the country are doing to identify gaps, opportunities, and the most effective ways to contribute.
We bring people together
We build relationships and alignment across organizations, leaders, and advocates to strengthen collective impact.
We change the narrative
Through clear, evidence-based writing and public engagement, we help shift the conversation toward systems that put people first.
We grow public engagement
We create accessible ways for people to learn, connect, and take action—because lasting change depends on broad public support.
We help build the conditions for change
By strengthening alignment, strategy, and public will, we help make transformative policy change possible.
We don’t lead with blame or ideology. We lead with shared values—and with hope grounded in science. Together, these efforts help turn the vision of A Nurturing Nation into reality—one step at a time.
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Coming Soon
The Nurture Effect Podcast explores how nurturing environments can transform lives and strengthen communities. Inspired by Tony Biglan’s book, The Nurture Effect, it features scientists, advocates, policymakers, and everyday leaders sharing practical, hopeful strategies for building a more caring and just society.
Get Involved
Join the Effort to Build a Nurturing Nation. If this vision resonates, here are ways to engage—starting small, and deepening as you’re able.
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Stay connected.
Subscribe on Substack to follow the work, reflect on the ideas, and amplify the effort by sharing pieces that resonate with people in your life.
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Help shape the conversation.
Comment, respond, or send reflections. This movement grows stronger as we learn from one another and clarify what a nurturing society could look like in practice.
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Stand publicly for the vision.
Add your name as an endorser (or endorse anonymously) to affirm that a society that puts human wellbeing before profit matters to you.
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Help build the capacity to act.
We aim to raise $50,000 over six months to expand public education, support local Action Circles, and connect people across the country who are ready.
If you are interested in joining an Action Circle, have an organization you would like to introduce us to, or would like to volunteer to work on this initiative, contact us at nurturing-nation@valuestoaction.org
Together, we can choose nurturance over neglect—and people over profit.
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A Nurturing Nation is an initiative of Values to Action.
Learn more at valuestoaction.org.
