Developing Equitable Partnerships

Sustainable partnerships take time...

At Forest City Solutions, we know community partnerships can be complex. In our experience, community members are often invited to the tables where decisions are made, but real power sharing and meaningful engagement does not occur. This isn’t always intentional but may just be a lack of understanding in how to navigate and foster these relationships in a more equitable way. That's where we come in.

Our approach is all about making a genuine impact by respecting community members as the experts in this work. We conduct stakeholder engagement, community needs assessments, and partnership building that goes beyond surface-level. We want every community member not just present but actively involved in decision-making. Together, let's craft a future for Greater Cleveland that is empowered and inclusive of all citizens.

Community Needs Assessment

Working collaboratively with organizations we conduct assessments to identify the specific needs of the community using an equity lens. This includes the analysis of existing data, gathering community input, and assessing the social, economic, and cultural dynamics.

Stakeholder Outreach, Engagement, and Communication

We facilitate inclusive stakeholder meetings and workshops to ensure diverse representation, as well as developing strategies to engage key community members, organizations, and leaders. This includes developing communication strategies to reach diverse community members and facilitating outreach campaigns to ensure information is accessible to everyone.

Relationship Building and Conflict Transformation

We prioritize fostering relationships that go beyond representation, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued. No relationship comes without conflict, for this we provide support, facilitate dialogue, and help groups view conflict as a way to promote understanding and collaboration.

Partnership and Coalition Development

Building off existing networks, efforts and relationships we help identify potential partners and stakeholders for collaboration, facilitate introductions, and work to form coalitions when needed to achieve collective impact.

Inclusive Programming and Events

We collaborate with stakeholders to design and implement programs that address specific community needs, ensuring that programs and events are inclusive, accessible, and welcoming to all community members.

Resource Mobilization

Through identifying funding opportunities, developing grant proposals, as well as exploring innovative financing models for community projects we connect organizations to resources that are the right fit financially and for the capacity at hand.

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