A Small Group

A Small Group - founded by Peter Block - operates under the Ira Block Foundation.

Our Mission

We are committed to the creation of a restorative and reconciled community. Our strategy is to discover ways to engage the disengaged through working with existing associations and through direct invitation. Our work focuses on direct efforts to bring into conversation those groups of people who are not in relationship with each other. By this we mean to offer powerful tools and strategies of civic possibility, civic accountability and civic commitment; thus increasing the power of associations to engage citizens in their efforts

The Theory

Founded by Peter Block, our work is based on the work of Robert Putnam and John McKnight: That healthy democratic communities grow out of high civic engagement, with a high focus on the gifts and strengths of the communities and its citizens. Our work is to create conversations among diverse groups that have the power to shift our stance in the areas of concern to civic life. This shift of high civic engagement eventually shifts the paradigm.