Better results come when the people and institutions affected by an issue work together to build a shared solution. With more than 120,000 residents, business and institutions employing more than twice that number, and at least 80 different organizations interested in its development, the Central Corridor will put this principle to the test. A lack of established relationships and mechanisms for collaboration among the many, diverse parties compounds the challenges of working together on Corridor-wide solutions.
The Funders Collaborative is committed to five values for building shared solutions:
- Participation. Corridor-wide strategies are most effective when created through partnerships that incorporate community resident-led planning and include participation by government, business, advocates, foundations, and neighborhood institutions.
- Fairness. Everyone in the neighborhoods affected by development should be treated fairly and benefits should include the interests of low-income residents.
- Comprehensive Solutions. The best approaches recognize inter-related issues, cross-geographic boundaries and reflect shared aspirations.
- Sustainability. Social and economic benefits are more enduring and deeply felt when they consider, and are integrated with, environmental goals.
- Healthy Living. Optimal community health is achieved when there is a deliberate connection between health and social, economic and environmental solutions.
The Funders Collaborative does not determine solutions. Instead, we help create the conditions for success by:
- Convening interested parties and engaging them in learning to inspire new thinking about an issue and potential solutions.
- Helping form working groups and community partnerships to work strategically toward achieving the outcomes expressed in our vision for the Central Corridor.
- Investing capital in the partnerships through the Catalyst Fund.
- Encouraging a planning and implementation process that produces effective strategies and delivers positive outcomes.
