In 1918, Anna Harkness established the Commonwealth Fund with the mandate to “do something for the welfare of mankind” and the broad charge to enhance the common good. These founding principles guide us to this day and inform our values:
Our Values
We strive to be Bold and Impactful
We center Community and our Common Humanity
We anchor Equity and Integrity in all we do
We work in a Collaborative and Joyful environment
These values inspire our work; delineate our shared responsibility to one another, our partners, and our collaborators; and reflect our unwavering commitment to each other.
We strive to be Bold and Impactful
We are courageous innovators who seek to achieve our mission by maximizing the change we create and challenging the status quo.
- We empower each other and our partners to be creative and aim for meaningful change.
- We advance our goals by envisioning a better future and being nimble in how we respond to change.
- We work with analytic and intellectual rigor.
- We prioritize insight and evidence to spur meaningful and measurable progress in policy, practice, and leadership development.
We center Community and our Common Humanity
We foster an inclusive environment by valuing and respecting everyone and by amplifying diverse voices.
- We extend grace and goodwill to our colleagues and partners.
- We bring empathy and compassion to all our relationships, furthering shared understanding and showing respect and humility.
- We value all forms of diversity and are committed to a workplace where all people are welcome.
- We ground our work by listening to people with lived experience and those working on the front lines.
- We aim to help improve the communities where we live and work.
We anchor Equity and Integrity in all we do
We are principled changemakers who act responsibly to achieve a positive impact for all.
- We seek guidance from diverse sources and show how their input informs our decisions and enhances our work.
- We strive to ensure everyone has equal opportunities to do their best work, and we empower individuals to take ownership of their actions and decisions by cultivating a culture of belonging, accountability, innovation, and growth.
- We work to earn, build, and retain trust through honesty, openness to feedback, and conflict management focused on solutions.
- We communicate transparently with our team and stakeholders, providing clear explanations for our decisions and policies.
- We ensure our actions, research, and grantmaking are of the highest professional standards.
We work in a Collaborative and Joyful environment
We are cocreators of an environment where individuals feel valued, united by shared purpose, and empowered to contribute their best effort to collectively achieve the Commonwealth Fund’s full potential.
- We are committed to breaking down silos, embracing each other’s strengths, and encouraging knowledge-sharing and collaboration.
- We cultivate a vibrant, engaging, and supportive workplace that encourages curiosity, open discourse, and dedication to mission.
- We address problems directly and decisively, without assigning blame.
- We practice gratitude by celebrating both big and small achievements.
- We prioritize a healthy work–life balance, encouraging time for personal well-being and growth.
- We make room for fun in our daily work to foster connectivity and belonging.