Civic Circle is a seven-month program where a cohort of 10 people of faith will work together on a policy issue selected by Bridges. During this program, participants will build relationships across faith lines, study one shared issue, and engage the level of government in focus that year: the Texas Legislature or local bodies. The experience combines virtual and in-person sessions with a series of trips to the relevant seat of government, and concludes with a public breakfast where the cohort presents its work to elected officials and stakeholders. This year, the cohort will engage with the state government during the 90th Legislative Session. Some topics that we may focus on are food insecurity and child welfare.
Civic Circle
Meeting Dates
All meetings will be virtual and take place between 6 PM and 8 PM CST, except for the public breakfast.
- Tuesday, December 1st, 2026
- Tuesday, January 19th, 2027
- Tuesday, February 9th, 2027
- Tuesday, April 6th, 2027
- Tuesday, May 4th, 2027
- Friday, June 11th, 2027 (Time TBA)
FAQs
What is the application timeline?
The expected application timeline for Civic Circle is as follows:
- Application opens: July 22nd, 2026
- Application closes: November 13th, 2026; interview requests for Civic Circle are released
- Interviews: November 15th to November 18th
- Cohort is selected: Friday, November 18th, 2026
- Fee Deadline: November 27th, 2026
What is expected from the cohort?
Participants will be responsible for the following:
- Attending all meetings
- Collaborating on a research project
- Meeting with government officials during planned visits
- Presenting findings to key stakeholders during the public breakfast
If you would like to apply or if you know someone who you think would be a great candidate, fill out the application below. Once selected, participants will need to pay a fee of $250, which will cover curriculum costs and events. For more information, please contact our policy team at policy@joinbridges.org.