As the anchor field continues to evolve, we continue to consider important points of emphasis. We transitioned from focusing primarily on the programs of particular anchor institutions to the pursuit of multi-institutional anchor partnerships. AITF’s work has been increasingly stressing how to leverage the resources and capacities of numerous organizations in a locality toward mutually transformative partnerships. These more multi-faceted anchor partnerships bring greater potential to produce economic opportunities, reduce disparities, and build lasting resilience. 

As we continue to see the proliferation of more complex collaborative initiatives involving multiple institutions across sectors, we must consider how this work is conducted through the lens of AITF’s values. AITF is committed to place, social justice and equity (especially racial equity), collaboration, democracy, and democratic practice.

As we advance deeper, more complex and potentially impactful partnerships, it is crucial to scrutinize how our work is conducted. We would like to shine a light on an emerging theme – trusted democratic partnerships. This concept is embedded in AITF’s vision and beliefs, along with our other core values. Trusted democratic partnerships in practice center community voice, racial justice and collaboration. Throughout this year, we will further explore how to ensure anchor partnerships become as trusted and democratic as possible in our communities. This is an important next phase of thinking and practice as our field continues to grow. Stay tuned for more information on programming emphasizing this theme. We are excited to further explore how we can be a resource in helping anchor partnerships manifest these principles in their work. We are also excited to hear from you about how you are implementing trusted democratic partnerships in your communities.

Reminders

• Our next webinar is coming soon! Please join us for:

Newark Anchor Collaborative: Promoting Racial Equity and Equitable Growth, on Thursday, March 9 at 12 pm (Eastern). Register here.

• We are seeking nominations for our 2024 cohort of anchor fellows:

Fellows Call for Applications for 2024 Cohort. Applications are due on May 12.

Virtual Event: Institutional Change that Promotes Lasting Community Engagement - The Promise of University-Assisted Community Schools Series

Presented by Cory Bowman (Netter Center for Community Partnerships/University of Pennsylvania) and Naorah Rimkunas (Binghamton University), Part 1 will introduce leading examples from a national network of university-assisted community schools; and Part 2 will explore institutional change in higher education that supports sustained, democratic community partnerships, including tenure and promotion guidelines.

Part 1: March 20, 11 am EST Part 2: April 17th, 11 am EST

Register

Report: Building Affordable Housing - Initiatives from Institutions of Higher Education

Affordable Housing is one of the largest challenges facing the Washington Region, but it is traditionally viewed as a siloed responsibility of local municipalities and developers. The findings of this report published by the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area indicate that our higher education and cultural institutions may be ideal partners for helping us address the need for affordable housing. Ideally, this wonderful report is a platform to initiate conversations about new collaboration across our region.

Report: Nonprofit Hospitals Can Improve Community Health Through Housing Investments

Nonprofit hospitals are tax-exempt entities required by law to improve and uplift the communities they serve. Because nonprofit hospitals make up nearly 60 percent of all U.S. hospitals and hold substantial financial resources—7 of the top 10 most profitable hospitals are nonprofit—they have the opportunity to meaningfully address the social needs of their communities, which are the main drivers of health.

St. Paul Project Aims to Rethink Libraries as Hubs Supporting Community Needs - from StarTribune

February 22 - Significant work to redefine libraries is being planned by library officials and the St. Paul City Office for Neighborhood Safety, which has partnered to launch a project that would deploy five to seven safety specialists in libraries across the city. It's still unclear what duties those specialists will have, but Office for Neighborhood Safety Director Brooke Blakey says they will be an extension of the city's community ambassador initiative — an initiative that employs people to intervene with troubled youth and connect them to jobs and city resources.

UniverCity Year Program Partners with Nine Communities in 2023 - from UniverCity Alliance

February 15 - In a record-setting cohort, University of Wisconsin-Madison’s UniverCity Year program is partnering with nine communities across Wisconsin during the 2022 to 2025 academic years and leveraging university resources to move forward their goals. UniverCity Year (UCY) is the hallmark program of UniverCity Alliance – an initiative that connects local governments across Wisconsin with resources at the university. During the three-year program, students and faculty work with communities toward locally-identified goals.

Brownsville Seeks Local Artists to Paint Downtown Mural - from myRVG



January 15 - The City of Brownsville, in collaboration with the Brownsville Beautification Committee, Brownsville Museum of Fine Art, Revival of Cultural Arts, Consulate of Mexico in Brownsville, and the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley, has put out a call for local artists to create a new mural that will be located at 1268 E. Elizabeth Street. The collaboration includes an overall focus and initiative of doing a community call where local artists are invited, and community themes are explored, said Marina Zolezzi, chief of staff to City Manager Helen Ramirez. The collaboration also focused on including local community engagement as part of the process.

How Worker Ownership Builds Community Wealth and A More Just Society  - from Waging Nonviolence

February 2 - Founded in Cleveland in 2009, Evergreen laundry lies at the heart of a movement that has now spread around the world. The Evergreen laundry and its sister solar and greenhouse coops are at the heart of the model around which the theory and practice of community wealth building have grown. Developed by the new economy research center Democracy Collaborative, the model is a simple one: First, identify anchor institutions; then, make regulatory, financing and policy changes that support the growth of cooperatives to supply their needs, so that the business profits stay with the workers.

RWJBarnabas Health Receives Significant Grant from Federal Government for Children, Families - from Essex News Daily

January 30 - RWJBarnabas Health announced Jan. 26 that the health system is the recipient of a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office on Trafficking in Persons. "As an anchor institution and New Jersey’s largest, most comprehensive academic health care system, we are in a unique position to help groups that have been economically and socially underserved, including people who are experiencing human trafficking,” said Suzanne Spernal, vice president for women’s services at RWJBarnabas Health.