Trust Foundation
If trust breaks down, so too does society.
We are witnessing an unprecedented crisis—the Trust Apocalypse. Across society, trust in institutions, media, government, corporations, and even each other has plunged to historically low levels. More than half of Americans now consider their fellow citizens to be the greatest threat to their way of life. Without trust, our ability to function as a cohesive community disintegrates, leading to deepening polarization, conflict, and societal breakdown.
Trust is foundational. It is the invisible force holding communities, democracies, and institutions together. When trust collapses, truth fragments, leaving society divided by competing realities and unable to solve shared problems.
“Trust is like the air we breathe – when it’s present, nobody really notices. When it’s absent – everybody notices.”
— Warren Buffet
Our Vision
Preserve communities and institutions worthy of the trust of our children and grandchildren.
We believe a different future is possible.
The trust apocalypse is a quintessential wicked problem—complex, systemic, and defying any single solution. No lone government policy, tech innovation, or charismatic leader can restore trust at scale.
Recognizing the limitations of traditional hierarchical models and isolated interventions, the Trust Foundation is focused on building a “catalytic community”—a living network that continuously learns, collaborates, and takes collective action toward systemic change.
Join us at our Inaugural Annual Trust Gathering – October 2025
Hosted by the Trust Foundation in partnership with General Stan McChrystal and the McChrystal Group, be part of a landmark event bringing together influential thought leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, researchers, and community builders. Together, we’ll forge connections, spark innovation, and commit to actionable steps toward combating the trust apocalypse.
When: October 6-8, 2025
Where: Alexandria, VA
Why attend?
Engage in genuine dialogue with a high-trust, high-integrity network committed to combating society's widespread breakdown of trust.
Join a community of thinkers, doers, and resource allocators dedicated to ethical innovation, civic leadership, and institutional stewardship.
General McChrystal’s latest book, On Character, reminds us that the true foundation of trust is character. That’s why we’re inviting those who have demonstrated not just expertise—but integrity and moral courage.
This is not a conference. There will be no panels, no speeches, just a thoughtfully curated room of people, off the record, working together to co-create the agenda for the work ahead.