Mason Bennett, director of operations for Kind Act Today, told the Tooele County Council of Governments (COG) on March 20 that his Salt Lake City–based nonprofit offers free programs to encourage daily acts of kindness and will help cities and schools pursue voluntary certification as a “community of kindness.”

Bennett said the organization is fully endowed and does not solicit funding; it provides materials and programming free of charge and works with each community to tailor a plan. “Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind, and the third is to be kind,” Bennett said during his presentation.

The presenter described how North Salt Lake, Vineyard and Pleasant Grove have used a combination of social-media campaigns, school assemblies and yard signs; he said certified schools receive follow-up support such as “kindness clubs.” On certification, Bennett told the COG that groups that want formal recognition work with Kind Act Today to meet written requirements, after which the nonprofit provides a certificate and organizes a public recognition event. He said groups that do not complete requirements are offered continued assistance rather than punitive steps.

Bennett encouraged COG members to consider a countywide committee to coordinate events tied to the state’s America 250 commemoration and said he would send contact information and sample materials to staff. A COG staff member asked about how to reach the group; Bennett gave an email address and encouraged officials to take a brief online pledge to receive short weekly kindness prompts.

Why it matters: Bennett framed the effort as community-building and a low-cost way to amplify civic engagement and school anti-bullying efforts. The program’s emphasis on volunteer time rather than municipal funding makes it easier to pilot in schools or city events, but participation requires a local liaison and staff time to coordinate.