Grantee Profile

Founded in 2019, New_Public is a research and development lab that is reimagining how communities form and connect on social media. New_Public consists of researchers, engineers, designers, and community leaders who view the internet as a public digital commons that should be pluralistic, democratic, and a benefit to society. Its focus is on helping local communities across America create flourishing digital spaces that strengthen trust and civic engagement. New_Public also develops prototypes for digital conversation with public service media organizations. 

New_Public’s work is defined by three core areas: the Public Spaces Incubator, an international partnership with public service media organizations to develop prototypes for digital conversation; an applied research arm to examine how people connect and build trust on the internet; and Roundabout, a neighborhood digital organizing space.  Across its 5 pilot sites, Roundabout has reached over 5,000 new accounts and has highlighted more than 2,000 local events in just 6 months. Roundabout is focused on the everyday things that bring neighbors together—a shared event, a question answered, a recommendation passed along—because New_Public believes they build the social fabric that makes deeper civic life possible. 

About Our Grants

In 2026, the Woodcock Foundation awarded a $100,000 grant to New_Public as general operating support for efforts to build digital public spaces that strengthen trust, belonging, and civic participation.