R.A.F.T. for America
(Reuniting America by Fostering Trust)
The Polarization Problem
Divisive polarization represents one of the most serious threats to our Constitutional republic. All of our work aims to move the needle in the direction of civility, empathy, respect, and collaboration. We know that we will always have differences. As we should. Our mission is to emphasize the common purpose and the shared identity that help us to manage our inevitable differences, in ways that make us stronger, wiser and healthier. On the water, as in life, the lesson is the same: regardless of our differences, we'll always do better by pulling together than by pulling apart.
What is R.A.F.T. for America?
R.A.F.T. (Reuniting America by Fostering Trust) is a movement dedicated to breaking down barriers and fostering trust between people with different life experiences and perspectives. In 2024, we brought people together on rafting trips, providing a unique environment where meaningful conversations and connections could flourish. But it's not just about rafting—R.A.F.T. can be about any activity that brings people together, whether it's a hike, a neighborhood barbecue, or a simple conversation with a neighbor.
Team Democracy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that was founded in 2021 by a couple of guys with a real passion for democracy, and deep roots in the world of whitewater. One more liberal, the other more conservative, they've managed to combine their enthusiasm for healthier civic engagement with their life-long enchantment with the allure of whitewater rivers.
Through initiatives like R.A.F.T. for America, Team Democracy encourages Americans' better instincts, and amplifies the efforts of those who are willing to listen first, disagree better, and collaborate with folks who are outside their bubble.
R.A.F.T. for America is honored to count among its many sponsors, partners, and friends, some of the finest people and organizations on the planet, including:
