The Center for Democracy and Civic Life regularly convenes members of the UMBC community around shared experiences to support existing projects and develop new initiatives that advance a thriving civic culture. The Center hosts exchanges among BreakingGround civic innovation grant recipients in which faculty, staff, and students provide insights into their grant-funded projects and courses, envision future endeavours, and develop new partnerships. The Center also organizes delegations of UMBC faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners to attend national civic learning and democratic engagement meetings and conferences. Delegation members participate in an on-campus orientation, conference sessions, and post-conference meetings to build communities of practice.