Research Document
The Connection Opportunity: Building Bridges Across Difference in America
This research report explores how Americans can build stronger communities by connecting with people who have different backgrounds and beliefs. The study finds that most Americans want to meet people different from themselves and see value in these connections. The report offers practical strategies for creating more opportunities for meaningful connections in daily life.
103 pages|5.2 MB|March 5, 2026
Key Takeaways
1
Most Americans are interested in connecting with people different from themselves despite living in polarized times
2
Daily life structures often prevent natural opportunities for meeting people from different backgrounds
3
Americans are experiencing loneliness and lack of belonging, creating a yearning for more connection
4
The report identifies barriers to cross-difference connections and provides practical solutions
5
Making connection a design feature in public spaces can help bridge social divides
6
Research includes insights from Houston, Kansas City, and Pittsburgh community leaders
Keywords|More in Commoncommunity buildingsocial connectioncivic engagementdiversitysocial isolationcommunity resiliencecross-cultural dialoguesocial cohesion
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