The PLACE-BASED MINDSET
Every place-based initiative will have its own unique shape. What unites these approaches is the mindset of those involved, one that is rooted in authentic community engagement and focused on building sustained equity and opportunity for overlooked communities. Below we outline the five key mindset principles you should consider within your own organization to undertake effective place-based impact.
Community is the strategy
What to consider as a funder
Listen carefully and constantly
The most effective place-based strategies center and truly act on community needs. It is not enough to survey a community and then apply your pre-determined approach in their area.
Building community trust is paramount. As funders, ask yourselves "What can we put on the table that makes it easy and feasible for community members to engage in a sustainable way?" Think through your approach from short-term solutions like providing a meal or child care for community events, to consistent policies around paying people for their time.
What to consider as a funder
Listen carefully and constantly
Meet people where they are (often literally)
Meet the community’s most pressing needs first
Be willing to flex your strategy as needs emerge and change
Set up open and honest feedback channels to continue establishing transparency and trust
“A community’s greatest asset is its people. We amplify the voice of residents by supporting them as agents of change.”
Community is the strategy
Listen carefully and constantly
What to consider as a funder
The most effective place-based strategies center and truly act on community needs. It is not enough to survey a community and then apply your pre-determined approach in their area.
Building community trust is paramount. As funders, ask yourselves "What can we put on the table that makes it easy and feasible for community members to engage in a sustainable way?" Think through your approach from short-term solutions like providing a meal or child care for community events, to consistent policies around paying people for their time.
Listen carefully and constantly
What to consider as a funder
Meet people where they are (often literally)
Meet the community’s most pressing needs first
Set up open and honest feedback channels to continue establishing transparency and trust
“A community’s greatest asset is its people. We amplify the voice of residents by supporting them as agents of change.”
Community is the strategy
Meet people where they are (often literally)
What to consider as a funder
The most effective place-based strategies center and truly act on community needs. It is not enough to survey a community and then apply your pre-determined approach in their area.
Building community trust is paramount. As funders, ask yourselves "What can we put on the table that makes it easy and feasible for community members to engage in a sustainable way?" Think through your approach from short-term solutions like providing a meal or child care for community events, to consistent policies around paying people for their time.
Meet people where they are (often literally)
What to consider as a funder
Listen carefully and constantly
Meet the community’s most pressing needs first
“A community’s greatest asset is its people. We amplify the voice of residents by supporting them as agents of change.”
Community is the strategy
What to consider as a funder
The most effective place-based strategies center and truly act on community needs. It is not enough to survey a community and then apply your pre-determined approach in their area.
Building community trust is paramount. As funders, ask yourselves "What can we put on the table that makes it easy and feasible for community members to engage in a sustainable way?" Think through your approach from short-term solutions like providing a meal or child care for community events, to consistent policies around paying people for their time.
What to consider as a funder
Listen carefully and constantly
Meet people where they are (often literally)
Meet the community’s most pressing needs first
“A community’s greatest asset is its people. We amplify the voice of residents by supporting them as agents of change.”
Community is the strategy
What to consider as a funder
Listen carefully and constantly
The most effective place-based strategies center and truly act on community needs. It is not enough to survey a community and then apply your pre-determined approach in their area.
Building community trust is paramount. As funders, ask yourselves "What can we put on the table that makes it easy and feasible for community members to engage in a sustainable way?" Think through your approach from short-term solutions like providing a meal or child care for community events, to consistent policies around paying people for their time.
Listen carefully and constantly
What to consider as a funder
Meet people where they are (often literally)
Meet the community’s most pressing needs first
Set up open and honest feedback channels to continue establishing transparency and trust
Be willing to flex your strategy as needs emerge and change
“A community’s greatest asset is its people. We amplify the voice of residents by supporting them as agents of change.”
Humility is a strength
Reach out to open a dialogue with other funders and nonprofits in that place
What to consider as a funder
Place-based philanthropy means putting your ego to one side, putting the community first, and being honest about where you can lead and where you should support existing solutions that work — large or small.
Humility also requires openness to change. Audit your processes from the perspective of the community you serve — putting their need for support and change first. What has worked elsewhere may not work here. In particular, funders should reflect on whether restrictions on their grants are adding more burden than value for the grantees.
Reach out to open a dialogue with other funders and nonprofits in that place
What to consider as a funder
Respect the knowledge of the community to advise you on what they need
Support the work that is already being done that aligns with your strategic goals
Collaborate with locally embedded experts to ensure cultural understanding
“Addressing issues narrowly defined by institutions does not change individual lives.”
Humility is a strength
What to consider as a funder
Reach out to open a dialogue with other funders and nonprofits in that place
Place-based philanthropy means putting your ego to one side, putting the community first, and being honest about where you can lead and where you should support existing solutions that work — large or small.
Humility also requires openness to change. Audit your processes from the perspective of the community you serve — putting their need for support and change first. What has worked elsewhere may not work here. In particular, funders should reflect on whether restrictions on their grants are adding more burden than value for the grantees.
What to consider as a funder
Reach out to open a dialogue with other funders and nonprofits in that place
Respect the knowledge of the community to advise you on what they need
Support the work that is already being done that aligns with your strategic goals
Collaborate with locally embedded experts to ensure cultural understanding
“Addressing issues narrowly defined by institutions does not change individual lives.”
Humility is a strength
Respect the knowledge of the community to advise you on what they need
Reach out to open a dialogue with other funders and nonprofits in that place
Place-based philanthropy means putting your ego to one side, putting the community first, and being honest about where you can lead and where you should support existing solutions that work — large or small.
Humility also requires openness to change. Audit your processes from the perspective of the community you serve — putting their need for support and change first. What has worked elsewhere may not work here. In particular, funders should reflect on whether restrictions on their grants are adding more burden than value for the grantees.
Respect the knowledge of the community to advise you on what they need
Reach out to open a dialogue with other funders and nonprofits in that place
What to consider as a funder
Support the work that is already being done that aligns with your strategic goals
“Addressing issues narrowly defined by institutions does not change individual lives.”
Humility is a strength
Reach out to open a dialogue with other funders and nonprofits in that place
Place-based philanthropy means putting your ego to one side, putting the community first, and being honest about where you can lead and where you should support existing solutions that work — large or small.
Humility also requires openness to change. Audit your processes from the perspective of the community you serve — putting their need for support and change first. What has worked elsewhere may not work here. In particular, funders should reflect on whether restrictions on their grants are adding more burden than value for the grantees.
Reach out to open a dialogue with other funders and nonprofits in that place
What to consider as a funder
Respect the knowledge of the community to advise you on what they need
Support the work that is already being done that aligns with your strategic goals
“Addressing issues narrowly defined by institutions does not change individual lives.”
Humility is a strength
Reach out to open a dialogue with other funders and nonprofits in that place
What to consider as a funder
Place-based philanthropy means putting your ego to one side, putting the community first, and being honest about where you can lead and where you should support existing solutions that work — large or small.
Humility also requires openness to change. Audit your processes from the perspective of the community you serve — putting their need for support and change first. What has worked elsewhere may not work here. In particular, funders should reflect on whether restrictions on their grants are adding more burden than value for the grantees.
What to consider as a funder
Reach out to open a dialogue with other funders and nonprofits in that place
Respect the knowledge of the community to advise you on what they need
Support the work that is already being done that aligns with your strategic goals
Collaborate with locally embedded experts to ensure cultural understanding
“Addressing issues narrowly defined by institutions does not change individual lives.”
Redefine Scale
Embrace working on a smaller scale (with less complex agendas and fewer stakeholders) to address root causes and implement innovative ideas
Shape KPIs with the community — be clear, open and honest about what you can accomplish
The desire for “impact at scale” often leads to more generic philanthropic initiatives focused on breadth of reach. In contrast, place-based work defines scale in terms of being able to drive deep, generational impact — building capacity and infrastructure for the community, and committing to pulling multiple levers, large and small, to increase and sustain access to opportunity over time.
To truly deepen impact, funders should ask themselves what percentage of their philanthropic dollars are going toward growing community leadership. You should ultimately track the shift in knowledge, networks, and resources to the people at the heart of that community’s future.
Embrace working on a smaller scale (with less complex agendas and fewer stakeholders) to address root causes and implement innovative ideas
Shape KPIs with the community — be clear, open and honest about what you can accomplish
What to consider as a funder
Acknowledge that initiatives may take several years to find the right shape and start to pay off with real results
“Scaling is not necessarily the goal of place-based solutions. Rather, it’s important to direct focus to the community you’re serving, building trust with them, and staying grounded in the organizational mission.”
Redefine Scale
Shape KPIs with the community — be clear, open and honest about what you can accomplish
Embrace working on a smaller scale (with less complex agendas and fewer stakeholders) to address root causes and implement innovative ideas
The desire for “impact at scale” often leads to more generic philanthropic initiatives focused on breadth of reach. In contrast, place-based work defines scale in terms of being able to drive deep, generational impact — building capacity and infrastructure for the community, and committing to pulling multiple levers, large and small, to increase and sustain access to opportunity over time.
To truly deepen impact, funders should ask themselves what percentage of their philanthropic dollars are going toward growing community leadership. You should ultimately track the shift in knowledge, networks, and resources to the people at the heart of that community’s future.
Shape KPIs with the community — be clear, open and honest about what you can accomplish
Embrace working on a smaller scale (with less complex agendas and fewer stakeholders) to address root causes and implement innovative ideas
What to consider as a funder
Acknowledge that initiatives may take several years to find the right shape and start to pay off with real results
“Scaling is not necessarily the goal of place-based solutions. Rather, it’s important to direct focus to the community you’re serving, building trust with them, and staying grounded in the organizational mission.”
Redefine Scale
What to consider as a funder
Embrace working on a smaller scale (with less complex agendas and fewer stakeholders) to address root causes and implement innovative ideas
The desire for “impact at scale” often leads to more generic philanthropic initiatives focused on breadth of reach. In contrast, place-based work defines scale in terms of being able to drive deep, generational impact — building capacity and infrastructure for the community, and committing to pulling multiple levers, large and small, to increase and sustain access to opportunity over time.
To truly deepen impact, funders should ask themselves what percentage of their philanthropic dollars are going toward growing community leadership. You should ultimately track the shift in knowledge, networks, and resources to the people at the heart of that community’s future.
What to consider as a funder
Embrace working on a smaller scale (with less complex agendas and fewer stakeholders) to address root causes and implement innovative ideas
Shape KPIs with the community — be clear, open and honest about what you can accomplish
Acknowledge that initiatives may take several years to find the right shape and start to pay off with real results
“Scaling is not necessarily the goal of place-based solutions. Rather, it’s important to direct focus to the community you’re serving, building trust with them, and staying grounded in the organizational mission.”
Redefine Scale
Embrace working on a smaller scale (with less complex agendas and fewer stakeholders) to address root causes and implement innovative ideas
The desire for “impact at scale” often leads to more generic philanthropic initiatives focused on breadth of reach. In contrast, place-based work defines scale in terms of being able to drive deep, generational impact — building capacity and infrastructure for the community, and committing to pulling multiple levers, large and small, to increase and sustain access to opportunity over time.
To truly deepen impact, funders should ask themselves what percentage of their philanthropic dollars are going toward growing community leadership. You should ultimately track the shift in knowledge, networks, and resources to the people at the heart of that community’s future.
Embrace working on a smaller scale (with less complex agendas and fewer stakeholders) to address root causes and implement innovative ideas
Shape KPIs with the community — be clear, open and honest about what you can accomplish
What to consider as a funder
Acknowledge that initiatives may take several years to find the right shape and start to pay off with real results
“Scaling is not necessarily the goal of place-based solutions. Rather, it’s important to direct focus to the community you’re serving, building trust with them, and staying grounded in the organizational mission.”
Redefine Scale
Embrace working on a smaller scale (with less complex agendas and fewer stakeholders) to address root causes and implement innovative ideas
Shape KPIs with the community — be clear, open and honest about what you can accomplish
The desire for “impact at scale” often leads to more generic philanthropic initiatives focused on breadth of reach. In contrast, place-based work defines scale in terms of being able to drive deep, generational impact — building capacity and infrastructure for the community, and committing to pulling multiple levers, large and small, to increase and sustain access to opportunity over time.
To truly deepen impact, funders should ask themselves what percentage of their philanthropic dollars are going toward growing community leadership. You should ultimately track the shift in knowledge, networks, and resources to the people at the heart of that community’s future.
Shape KPIs with the community — be clear, open and honest about what you can accomplish
Embrace working on a smaller scale (with less complex agendas and fewer stakeholders) to address root causes and implement innovative ideas
What to consider as a funder
Acknowledge that initiatives may take several years to find the right shape and start to pay off with real results
“Scaling is not necessarily the goal of place-based solutions. Rather, it’s important to direct focus to the community you’re serving, building trust with them, and staying grounded in the organizational mission.”
Think Holistically
What to consider as a funder
Support community-led initiatives that build pride in a place and empower a community in ways they need now (even if those things start small)
Place-based work considers the full dial of holistic factors that contribute to whether a community can “thrive” over generations. While a funders’ area of focus should be based on their unique resources and strengths, in order to truly empower a community to thrive they must be willing to start small, stay committed, and collaborate across silos to be effective.
What to consider as a funder
Support community-led initiatives that build pride in a place and empower a community in ways they need now (even if those things start small)
Explore new models that bring different stakeholders together to drive change e.g. the mixed income neighborhood trust established in the Kendall Whittier neighborhood in Tulsa
Collaborate across sectors (public, private, nonprofit, community-led) to break down silos and help shift capacity, resources, and influence to the community
Don’t overlook the importance of initiatives that build identity and pride in a place (even if it’s not what you’re typically used to funding)
“Working with systems, agencies, and institutions matters: programmatic interventions are not a permanent solution for deeply entrenched issues that typically reside in public agencies.”
Think Holistically
Support community-led initiatives that build pride in a place and empower a community in ways they need now (even if those things start small)
What to consider as a funder
Place-based work considers the full dial of holistic factors that contribute to whether a community can “thrive” over generations. While a funders’ area of focus should be based on their unique resources and strengths, in order to truly empower a community to thrive they must be willing to start small, stay committed, and collaborate across silos to be effective.
Support community-led initiatives that build pride in a place and empower a community in ways they need now (even if those things start small)
What to consider as a funder
Explore new models that bring different stakeholders together to drive change e.g. the mixed income neighborhood trust established in the Kendall Whittier neighborhood in Tulsa
Collaborate across sectors (public, private, nonprofit, community-led) to break down silos and help shift capacity, resources, and influence to the community
Don’t overlook the importance of initiatives that build identity and pride in a place (even if it’s not what you’re typically used to funding)
“Working with systems, agencies, and institutions matters: programmatic interventions are not a permanent solution for deeply entrenched issues that typically reside in public agencies.”
Think Holistically
Explore new models that bring different stakeholders together to drive change e.g. the mixed income neighborhood trust established in the Kendall Whittier neighborhood in Tulsa
What to consider as a funder
Place-based work considers the full dial of holistic factors that contribute to whether a community can “thrive” over generations. While a funders’ area of focus should be based on their unique resources and strengths, in order to truly empower a community to thrive they must be willing to start small, stay committed, and collaborate across silos to be effective.
Explore new models that bring different stakeholders together to drive change e.g. the mixed income neighborhood trust established in the Kendall Whittier neighborhood in Tulsa
What to consider as a funder
Support community-led initiatives that build pride in a place and empower a community in ways they need now (even if those things start small)
Collaborate across sectors (public, private, nonprofit, community-led) to break down silos and help shift capacity, resources, and influence to the community
“Working with systems, agencies, and institutions matters: programmatic interventions are not a permanent solution for deeply entrenched issues that typically reside in public agencies.”
Think Holistically
What to consider as a funder
Place-based work considers the full dial of holistic factors that contribute to whether a community can “thrive” over generations. While a funders’ area of focus should be based on their unique resources and strengths, in order to truly empower a community to thrive they must be willing to start small, stay committed, and collaborate across silos to be effective.
What to consider as a funder
Support community-led initiatives that build pride in a place and empower a community in ways they need now (even if those things start small)
Explore new models that bring different stakeholders together to drive change e.g. the mixed income neighborhood trust established in the Kendall Whittier neighborhood in Tulsa
Collaborate across sectors (public, private, nonprofit, community-led) to break down silos and help shift capacity, resources, and influence to the community
“Working with systems, agencies, and institutions matters: programmatic interventions are not a permanent solution for deeply entrenched issues that typically reside in public agencies.”
Think Holistically
What to consider as a funder
Support community-led initiatives that build pride in a place and empower a community in ways they need now (even if those things start small)
Place-based work considers the full dial of holistic factors that contribute to whether a community can “thrive” over generations. While a funders’ area of focus should be based on their unique resources and strengths, in order to truly empower a community to thrive they must be willing to start small, stay committed, and collaborate across silos to be effective.
Support community-led initiatives that build pride in a place and empower a community in ways they need now (even if those things start small)
What to consider as a funder
Explore new models that bring different stakeholders together to drive change e.g. the mixed income neighborhood trust established in the Kendall Whittier neighborhood in Tulsa
Collaborate across sectors (public, private, nonprofit, community-led) to break down silos and help shift capacity, resources, and influence to the community
Don’t overlook the importance of initiatives that build identity and pride in a place (even if it’s not what you’re typically used to funding)
“Working with systems, agencies, and institutions matters: programmatic interventions are not a permanent solution for deeply entrenched issues that typically reside in public agencies.”
Goals Will Evolve
Create a sense of community pride and security (through ownership, agency, generational wealth, etc.)
What to consider as a funder
Place-based work requires commitment and also flexibility. You must be willing to try on new roles — capacity builder, community connector, deep listener, risk-taker — in order to drive momentum, for the goal is never reached. Always reassess your role based on what is needed from you next.
To drive momentum, funders should aspire to measure beyond yearly outcomes —tracking both qualitative and quantitative long-term indicators of success.
Create a sense of community pride and security (through ownership, agency, generational wealth, etc.)
What to consider as a funder
How to support community members returning back to their hometowns to work and live
Enable the ongoing shift of power and opportunity to the community
Your role in the overall building of trust and strength in an ecosystem and place
Build community engagement and leadership in local power structures
“Listen, then lead from behind. Let communities fashion their own agenda based on their own unique history, political dynamics, and set of partners and relationships – and then support that.”
Goals Will Evolve
What to consider as a funder
Create a sense of community pride and security (through ownership, agency, generational wealth, etc.)
Place-based work requires commitment and also flexibility. You must be willing to try on new roles — capacity builder, community connector, deep listener, risk-taker — in order to drive momentum, for the goal is never reached. Always reassess your role based on what is needed from you next.
To drive momentum, funders should aspire to measure beyond yearly outcomes —tracking both qualitative and quantitative long-term indicators of success.
What to consider as a funder
Create a sense of community pride and security (through ownership, agency, generational wealth, etc.)
How to support community members returning back to their hometowns to work and live
Enable the ongoing shift of power and opportunity to the community
Build community engagement and leadership in local power structures
“Listen, then lead from behind. Let communities fashion their own agenda based on their own unique history, political dynamics, and set of partners and relationships – and then support that.”
Goals Will Evolve
How to support community members returning back to their hometowns to work and live
Create a sense of community pride and security (through ownership, agency, generational wealth, etc.)
Place-based work requires commitment and also flexibility. You must be willing to try on new roles — capacity builder, community connector, deep listener, risk-taker — in order to drive momentum, for the goal is never reached. Always reassess your role based on what is needed from you next.
To drive momentum, funders should aspire to measure beyond yearly outcomes —tracking both qualitative and quantitative long-term indicators of success.
How to support community members returning back to their hometowns to work and live
Create a sense of community pride and security (through ownership, agency, generational wealth, etc.)
What to consider as a funder
Enable the ongoing shift of power and opportunity to the community
“Listen, then lead from behind. Let communities fashion their own agenda based on their own unique history, political dynamics, and set of partners and relationships – and then support that.”
Goals Will Evolve
Create a sense of community pride and security (through ownership, agency, generational wealth, etc.)
Place-based work requires commitment and also flexibility. You must be willing to try on new roles — capacity builder, community connector, deep listener, risk-taker — in order to drive momentum, for the goal is never reached. Always reassess your role based on what is needed from you next.
To drive momentum, funders should aspire to measure beyond yearly outcomes —tracking both qualitative and quantitative long-term indicators of success.
Create a sense of community pride and security (through ownership, agency, generational wealth, etc.)
What to consider as a funder
How to support community members returning back to their hometowns to work and live
Enable the ongoing shift of power and opportunity to the community
“Listen, then lead from behind. Let communities fashion their own agenda based on their own unique history, political dynamics, and set of partners and relationships – and then support that.”
Goals Will Evolve
Create a sense of community pride and security (through ownership, agency, generational wealth, etc.)
What to consider as a funder
Place-based work requires commitment and also flexibility. You must be willing to try on new roles — capacity builder, community connector, deep listener, risk-taker — in order to drive momentum, for the goal is never reached. Always reassess your role based on what is needed from you next.
To drive momentum, funders should aspire to measure beyond yearly outcomes —tracking both qualitative and quantitative long-term indicators of success.
What to consider as a funder
Create a sense of community pride and security (through ownership, agency, generational wealth, etc.)
How to support community members returning back to their hometowns to work and live
Enable the ongoing shift of power and opportunity to the community
Build community engagement and leadership in local power structures
Your role in the overall building of trust and strength in an ecosystem and place
“Listen, then lead from behind. Let communities fashion their own agenda based on their own unique history, political dynamics, and set of partners and relationships – and then support that.”
DO YOU HAVE A PLACE-BASED MINDSET?
1
Is there an openness to let the community guide your strategy?
Do you have capacity to enable ongoing community listening to your community, feedback loops and data on impact?
2
Are you willing to approach funding in a collaborative, humble manner?
Have you opened up dialogue with existing local funders, and the community to guide your action?
3
Can you rethink what scale of impact means to you?
Are you set up to measure long-term, generational change as well as shorter-term progress; and assess qualitative and quantitative KPIS?
4
Are you willing to go beyond your comfort zone to answer holistic community needs?
Can you support small initiatives to let them grow, collaborate across sectors, and explore new models of funding?
5
Are you committed to making investments that are agile and responsive to community needs?
Are you bought into the goals for your work evolving over time?