The Renewal of America brings people together to strengthen civic understanding, restore trust, and encourage constructive participation in democratic life.
The Renewal of America Foundation is a Non-profit Organization.
Our mission is to strengthen democracy through public understanding, equality, human rights, and the shared responsibility of citizenship. We invite people to learn together, examine ideas, and turn concern into constructive participation.
The Foundation does not support, endorse, or fund any political party, candidate, or campaign for elected office. All proceeds from Joe Bentvelzen’s book support this mission.
Co-founder
Author of The Renewal of America , Joe was born and raised in the Netherlands and became an American citizen after immigrating in 1969. He holds a doctorate in chemical engineering, worked on environmental challenges, and founded two businesses.
His writing invites citizens to bring curiosity, courage, and responsibility to the work of renewal.
Co-founder
Fred is Joe’s friend and a partner in the work of writing The Renewal of America. Over many hours of conversation, the two talked through their ideas and plans for the renewal of America, shaping the vision behind both the book and the Foundation.
Fred’s friendship with Joe and his commitment to this project reflect the heart of the Foundation’s mission: good ideas take shape when people give each other the time to listen and think things through together.
Chief Operating Officer
Abby is Joe’s oldest granddaughter and serves as the Foundation’s Chief Operating Officer. She joined because she believes our country needs more spaces for thoughtful, respectful conversations, and she wanted to be part of bringing something together rather than pushing people apart.
In her role, Abby helps the Foundation carry out its work day to day so that more people can find a place in the conversation. Her involvement also reflects the multigenerational spirit of this effort: renewal is a task that belongs to every generation, and it is best taken up together.
The Renewal of America Foundation is a non-profit organization, and our approach to giving is a little different. Rather than asking for a traditional donation, we invite supporters to buy the book and share it with the people and places around them.
Every copy that finds a new reader helps carry the ideas of renewal into another home, workplace, or community.
Purchase one or more copies of The Renewal of America. All proceeds from Joe Bentvelzen’s book support the Foundation’s mission.
Give copies to family and friends, or to community organizations you care about, such as libraries, schools, congregations, and civic groups.
A book in someone’s hands is an invitation to think and talk together. Each copy helps our message of shared values and civic responsibility reach communities we could not reach on our own.
The book is available on Amazon. Visit the Book page to learn more, or send us a message if you would like to help get copies into your community.
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