A message from the Board of Directors

We would like to announce an end of an era and a new chapter for The Guacamole Fund - a new book, actually.

After much deep and thoughtful discussion and consideration by the Board of Directors, The Guacamole Fund will be transitioning to a new organization
The Civic Literacy and Service Project.  

With Tom's passing, The Guacamole Fund was poised for a change.

It has been a deep joy to work with all of you - whether you were a volunteer, a staff member, a non-profit fighting the good fight, a concert goer, or just general supporter, it has been nothing less than an honor to have you as part of
The Guacamole Fund's impact. 

We can't thank you enough for your continued support and loyalty to Tom, Pacific Alliance, Avocado Productions and The Guacamole Fund through the last 50 years. We hope you carry on Tom's legacy in your everyday life, whether volunteering in your community or just taking what you've learned through the years from the incredible non-profit organizations that we've brought to your attention.
Our country, and the world, desperately need the action and involvement of every informed citizen. Tom would have wanted that to be his most enduring legacy.

"The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others."  Mahatma Gandhi

Thank you, kind souls. We are forever grateful, and we look forward to this next chapter of activism.

Civic Literacy and Service Project - Stay tuned for official launch date!

Throughout the history of the nation, committed activists have fought injustice, promoted equality, and worked to create a more perfect union. Today, one of the nation's greatest threats is the polarization that infects our national narrative and relations between people. Many feel increasingly alienated and disconnected from government and each other.

While there is not one answer or strategy to overcome this threat, service and civic literacy are proven strategies to overcome polarization and promote civility. Community involvement and voluntary service alleviates polarization by bringing people together for a common cause. Deeper understanding of history, government, and democratic values foster greater receptivity to other opinions and to finding compromise and common ground.

Even though there are thousands of organizations providing service opportunities, voluntary service is declining with 50% of volunteer slots at nonprofits unfilled. Similarly, there are hundreds of organizations that promote civic literacy but more than 70% of Americans failed a basic civic literacy test.

In an effort to help overcome the widespread polarization, Rick will coalesce a national movement to increase civic literacy and service by uniting and amplifying the efforts of these existing organizations across the country. This initiative will engage our better angels and help strengthen the infrastructure of democracy.

In contrast to other nations, America is defined by shared values, principles, and beliefs rather than ethnicity, race, religion, or national origin. Allegiance to these democratic values makes us a people, it is what binds us to one another. As was said during a presidential inaugural address, "There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be fixed by what is right with America."

In the years ahead, The Civic Literacy and Service Project will build a coalition, develop partnerships, and establish operational capacity to lead a national campaign. While it may not provide the silver bullet, the initiative can play a role in our continued effort to create a more perfect union.