The Webber Family Foundation's No One Way (N1W) initiative offers grants to organizations that promote curiosity, viewpoint diversity and communicating across divides.
No One Way (N1W) reflects the Foundation’s commitment to drawing on differences to solve problems. We believe there is “no one way” way to think about an issue or to move forward, and that the strongest solutions emerge when we welcome diversity of thought, practice curiosity, honor human dignity, and embrace complexity.
Currently there are two focus areas for N1W grants: Constructive Dialogue and Pluralism in Central Texas.
“Constructive dialogue is a form of conversation where people with different perspectives seek to understand one another—without abandoning their own beliefs—in order to live, learn, and work together. It is especially well-suited for grappling with important, complex issues that often divide people.”
-Constructive Dialogue Institute
The ability to communicate across divides is critical to living in a multiracial, multifaith, socioeconomically diverse world, but it can be risky to raise questions or speak out in our current political and cultural environment. We see constructive dialogue as an antidote to self-censorship, echo chambers, cancellations and censorship. Our vision is a culture where multiple perspectives are the norm, group-think is challenged, questions and dissent are welcomed, and dialogues lead to richer understanding of the issues we face.
The theory behind N1W’s constructive dialogue grants is that key leaders can drive a culture of constructive dialogue in their communities. Leaders can be formal or informal – they shape the norms of a group or community: pastors, rabbis, council members, coaches, entertainment execs, business leaders, teachers, officers of student groups, school administrators, neighborhood association volunteers, etc. Our grants support organizations and projects that provide development and support for leaders, including training programs, curricula and tools, communities of practice, and policy guidance.
Constructive dialogue grants support national organizations (not limited to Austin/Central Texas) and range from $10,000 – $50,000.
Recent grantees include the Constructive Dialogue Institute, the Mill Institute, Resetting the Table, FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression), Trust Labs and One America Movement.
N1W supports initiatives in Central Texas, where the foundation is based, that provide opportunities for Austinites to engage across lines of difference, solve problems productively, and stand up for each other’s dignity. These grants align with the strategy of the New Pluralists Collaborative, which the foundation joined in 2023.
Pluralism in Central Texas grants typically range from $5,000 – $25,000.
Recent grantees include Leadership Austin, Braver Angels Central Texas, and Atidna International at UT-Austin.
For more information, see our N1W Grant Guidelines and previous N1W grants.
Neil Webber
