US — Uncivil, a consortium of scholars, released findings indicating that major funders of U.S. campus civil discourse initiatives also support conservative policy networks and pro-Israel organizations. The analysis showed that 20 of the 23 foundations most active in the pluralism and depolarization sector fund such groups. Researchers identified donors to civility initiatives who also contributed to rightwing organizations including the Manhattan Institute, the Federalist Society, and the Heritage Foundation, as well as pro-Israel organizations like the Anti-Defamation League, itrek, and the Central Fund of Israel.

Uncivil mapped civil centers and discourse initiatives across more than 100 campuses and found that 70% had been accused of suppressing pro-Palestine activism. The Trump administration redirected $60 million in federal funds toward initiatives promoting "civil discourse." The Education Department connected this funding effort to student activism and the killing of Charlie Kirk, stating, "Civil discourse at America's colleges and universities has been undermined by campus takeovers, violent riots, and even a recent high-profile political assassination." These funds previously aimed, in part, to promote college attendance by underserved populations.

An industry of organizations promoting "civic discourse," "dialogue across difference," and "viewpoint diversity" has emerged on U.S. college campuses, with some estimates valuing it at $200 million annually. This industry has grown since October 7, 2023. "At a surface level, who could be against civility?" asked Bethany Moreton, a historian at Dartmouth College and a member of Uncivil.

Nicholas Longo, a facilitator at the Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI), commented on youth activism. "Now when young people raise their voices, it can often be ineffective for making social change in that they may be speaking into an echo chamber with people who already agree with them," Longo said. He added, "I actually think every social movement starts with people sitting in a circle talking to each other, and especially talking to people that they disagree with." Marcel LaFlamme, an academic librarian who attended a Longo webinar, said, "I think there are forms of activism and dissent that don't always lead from curiosity; they lead from passion and conviction and wanting to get the message out."

James Madison University, a public university in Virginia, requires every incoming student to participate in a series of "civic discourse experiences." Kara Dillard, director of the center of civil engagement at the university, said, "We want to improve the intellectual humility of our students." Observers indicate the civility movement's origins roughly coincide with Donald Trump's political rise, including student protests at the University of California, Berkeley, in 2017 against a speech by Milo Yiannopoulos.