This is an important time of year for AITF, as our various peer communities begin their periodic learning exchanges. AITF Subgroups and Subcommittees include: Higher Education Presidents, Economic Development Professionals, Health Professionals, Anchor Partnerships, and Education (Subcommittee of Higher Education Presidents).

As we embark on this year’s group discussions, we will keep in mind AITF’s strategic priorities for the coming years:

AITF will:

• Continue to prioritize leadership and how to sustain a commitment to AITF’s values over time in communities and within anchor institutions;
• Promote and support the power and potential of multi-institutional, cross sector anchor partnerships;
• Highlight and refine our understanding of effective ways to forge and maintain trusted democratic partnerships that appreciate and are informed by community voices;
• Encourage and bolster cross sector community-based anchor strategies, centering schools, that lead to stronger educational and career pathways across the entire continuum from early childhood to careers, and ultimately greater social and economic mobility and more just, democratic, and equitable communities;
• Raise awareness about anchor institutions’ unique contributions to their communities and potential as change agents, including influencing policymakers at various levels of government;
• Emphasize the role of anchor institutions in building public trust in civic institutions in their localities in the midst of divisive political and social contexts;
• Alongside these strategic directions, AITF will continue to prioritize and demonstrate AITF’s values - a commitment to place, democracy and democratic practice, collaboration, social justice and equity – with continued attention to the significance of racial equity and racial justice. 

We hope to be more intentional in our group discussions about manifesting these strategic priorities in our respective communities. We have the same desire regarding the entire AITF membership regardless of whether you are participating in an existing Subgroup, Subcommittee, or any other existing AITF community of practice. Please share your experiences about your efforts regarding any of these priorities. We hope to elevate practical experiences about progress and what it will take to continue and strengthen your work in the future.

AITF firmly believes that local strategies are essential to solving the most pressing issues of our times, as they are experienced by people in their neighborhoods, cities, towns, and regions. Our theme for this year, Local Solutions in Divided Times, is urgently needed in pursuit of uniting diverse constituents in the places where they reside around the challenges and opportunities that are their shared reality. Stay tuned for further details on this year’s in-person event, which will take place in November in New York City, as we will further explore this angle. If you have been involved in trusted democratic anchor partnerships that have been transcending divisions in your community and impacting areas of common concern, we would like to learn more about your experiences.

Anchor Mission Huddle: How do we chart a course for our university?

March 21, 2:00 - 3:00 pm EST

Next month the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities will be hosting a virtual discussion about engaging higher education institutions in an anchor mission. The Anchor Mission Huddle is a monthly convening for CUMU member institutions working to sustain or expand anchor programming.



The Anchor Institution Movement (Webinar)



Campus Compact held a webinar recently that delved into the history of the anchor institution movement, which emerged around 1990 against the backdrop of New Urbanism following decades of urban renewal across metropolitan United States. A recording and transcript of the event are available via the link.

Transform Your Practice: Community Engagement Strategies for Trust, Impact & Civic Pride (Webinar)

March 6, 1:00 pm EST

Reimagining the Civic Commons hosts an event focused on emergent strategies for community engagement for institutions. The webinar follows the release of Transform Your Practice: A community engagement card deck, a practical tool that highlights impactful strategies while challenging misconceptions about what outreach can and should achieve.



Group expands employment services for adults with disabilities - from The Telegraph

February 19 - Inclusive local hiring is often a priority for anchor partnerships. Boone Center, Inc. is expanding its workforce development programming for people with disabilities to the state of Illinois through partnership with local anchor institution World Wide Technology operating out of Edwardsville, IL.

Genesis Bridge Supply Chain Services Powers Economic Growth for Communities - from Medium

January 31 - Local procurement is often a strategic priority for multi-institutional, cross-sector partnerships. The work of Genesis Block provides an example of how organizations are working to transform local business landscapes through anchor strategy. The Conversations to Contracts program is an event organized in collaboration with local government agencies, anchor institutions, and corporate partners designed to connect minority-owned and operated businesses to contracting opportunities.

Community partners help shape education for future nurses - from Boise State University Nursing

February 12 - Healthy relationships between educational anchors and community organizations are important for navigating local challenges. The School of Nursing at Boise State University has brought together health industry leaders alongside other community stakeholders to discuss ways to innovate nursing education, demonstrating one approach to local hiring and workforce development.

Healthcare Leaders Urge Comprehensive Reforms in Anchor Institutions - from BNN Breaking

January 31 - In a recently published memo, leaders in the healthcare industry advocated for greater investment in health systems as anchor institutions in their local context. The authors urge it is necessary to shift away from the safety-net model of healthcare and toward an anchor model in order to better serve communities.

What Three Years of Investment Can Do: Stories from LISC’s Black Economic Development Fund - from LISC

February 8 - Since 2020 the Local Initiatives Support Corporation has been leveraging its Black Economic Development Fund to mobilize resources in support of Black-led anchor institutions, businesses, and other mission-focused entities. Program areas include affordable housing development, lending, and racial equity among others. Such funds are a potential collaborator for anchor partnerships to consider.

Debate on contribution of the Arts to the economy and the society, House of Lords - from Local Government Association

February 1 - At a recent Parliament briefing the Local Government Association's Commission on Culture and Local Government presented evidence of how cultural institutions contribute to their localities. Experts argue for sustained public funding to the arts as an important piece of anchor communities.

Universities as anchor institutions for democracy - from Utrecht University

February 27 - Following a visit to Utrecht University, Matthew Flinders spoke in an interview about the modern role of higher education institutions. "I also underlined that for me universities are not just places of education, they are anchor institutions for democracy itself," said the Professor of Politics at the University of Sheffield.