The paper, Philanthropy and the Regeneration of Community Democracy, examines what it takes to make community democracy successful and ways in which philanthropy can support that effort. It is based on Humboldt Area Foundation experience and on observations of local problem solving and democracy at work at the local level. It describes and celebrates the central role of the enormously engaged people who live in this part of the world, California's Pacific Northwest.

The paper was written by our executive director emeritus, Peter Pennekamp with editorial guidance from Anne Focke and in collaboration with many others. It was commissioned by the Kettering Foundation, whose concentration is on democratic politics, particularly the role and participation of residents. Kettering’s primary research question is, "what does it take to make democracy work as it should?" Established in 1927 by inventor Charles F. Kettering, the foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that does not make grants but engages in joint research with others.