Who Are We?
The American Dream Institute is a digital engagement engine built by and for the next generation of voices.
We believe in achieving real progress and restoring faith in our future — to Make the Dream Real.
It starts with how we talk about the Dream.
Why We Exist?
The American Dream Institute (ADI) was founded to raise the voices of young Americans from the ground-up — to arm leaders, creators, and organizations with data-driven messaging and tech tools to engage young Americans.
We believe our national conversation needs a new direction: one rooted in the sentiment and spirit of young Americans, aspiring for progress in humanity, in our country, and in our personal futures.
What We Do
Listening
Any productive conversation starts with an open mind and tuned ears.
ADI is building an engagement ecosystem committed to reshaping the conversation — one grounded in listening to how young Americans actually speak, feel, and frame their lives. We’re not here to debate policy in a vacuum. We’re here to understand what people believe, what they need to hear, and how to rebuild trust through language that resonates.
ADI goes beyond polling to hear directly from the voices too often left out of the conversation– we are conducting cultural research and social listening to get at the root of what young Americans want and need.
Messaging
Voters aren’t tuning out because they don’t care — they’re tuning out because the messaging doesn’t speak to them.
Informed by our listening and by data, ADI helps voices and organizations develop language that actually reflects people’s real priorities– messages that are centered on values like opportunity, fairness, and the ability to get ahead. Then, we help translate those values and insights into guidance, social content, and messaging that can cut through the noise.
Technology
Winning the conversation also means updating the infrastructure behind it. We’re ten years behind, and ADI is helping catch us up.
At ADI, we’re developing new tools to modernize our communications and redirect the national conversation. What we’re building will provide new ways to help leaders, creators, and organizers identify trusted messages, reach the right people, and compete more effectively online.
How We’re Different
Instead of leading with listening, many of the leaders who align with our values deploy a top-down approach.
So, instead of relying on policy papers and prescriptive thinking, ADI is committed to deep listening, modern storytelling, and deploying a data-driven digital ecosystem that empowers progressive communicators and grassroots organizations.