Hopefully you had a rewarding and relaxing summer. September is always an interesting time of year, as we wind down summer and simultaneously transition into the eventful autumn months. This is always a particularly busy month for the Anchor Institutions Task Force. This is a time when numerous AITF Subgroups reconvene. The Economic Development Executives Subgroup, The Health Professionals Subgroup, The Anchor Partnerships Subgroup, and the Education Subcommittee of The Higher Education Presidents Subgroup all meet this month.

AITF Subgroups, some of which have been in existence for over a decade, are evolving. They continue to pursue their original role as communities of practice that serve as mutual learning spaces among peers. They have also become engines for thought leadership regarding some of the most significant issues facing anchor institutions and their communities. As Subgroup members grow in their own work and experiences, individually and as groups, they sharpen their learning and wisdom. Consequently, Subgroup members become important leaders and resources for the field.

Subgroups are leaning into this advanced mutual knowledge and insight to more intentionally showcase examples of members’ work as well as key group conclusions about what it takes to forge and maintain effective anchor institution-community partnerships. Stay tuned for new publications and other resources emerging from Subgroup discussions.

Subgroup members’ voices will also be well represented in existing efforts underway as well, including the third volume of AITF’s Leadership Guide series as well as this year’s fall thematic event: Local Solutions in Divided Times. Thanks to those who have already registered for this November 7 gathering, which will take place in New York City at the Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice between 10am and 3pm Eastern. Registration is still open. Please note that the deadline for registering for in-person attendance is October 25, 2024. We are looking forward to a stimulating strategic dialogue, which will explore this timely and important theme from three angles: Arts & Culture; Education, Community and Democracy; History, Justice and Opportunity.

We look forward to continuing to add speakers to our panels and updating you about various autumn projects. You will see a more developed conference agenda in the coming weeks. We also expect to announce our new cohort of Anchor Fellows in our next newsletter issue. As usual, please also share your own updates with AITF.  

Culture as a Public Good: Navigating its role in policy debates (Report)



This latest report published by the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies presents various arguments for why culture should be “recognized and anchored” in governmental agendas. The recommendations in the report focus on treating culture as a public good at all levels of governance.

A Playbook for New Rural Healthcare Partnership Models of Investment (Guide)

The Public Health Institute’s Build Healthy Places Network has published an update to the Playbook for New Rural Healthcare Partnership Models of Investment. Originally released in 2022, the Playbook is designed for healthcare organizations seeking to enhance community health through local collaboration in rural settings. The update shares additional lessons learned over the past two years.



2024 CUMU Conference: Beyond Boundaries (Event)

October 20-23, 2024

Minneapolis-Saint Paul, MN



The Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities has released the agenda for its upcoming annual conference. The four-day program explores how the mission of urban higher education extends beyond the real and perceived boundaries of the campus. This year marks CUMU's 35th anniversary.

Final report of the Place-Based Climate Action Network (Report)

The Place-Based Climate Action Network has published a report that advances concrete strategies for translating climate policy for local implementation. PCAN convened people from the private, public, and civic sectors as part of its methodology. The report is the final product of a five-year project funded by the UK Economic and Social Research Council.



Data on anchor institutions helps inform decisions at local, regional, and state levels - from FedCommunities

June 18 - In this article, Anchor Economy Initiative Director Deborah Diamond shares insights from three experts about using data on anchor institutions to support their work. The Fed's new dashboard is helping anchor practitioners, policymakers, and many other stakeholders capture the impact of these institutions on local economies and beyond.

The Role of Schools in Fostering Vibrant and Inclusive Communities - from Planetizen Blogs

August 20 - Discover how schools play a crucial role in community development by fostering inclusivity, enhancing local engagement, and serving as hubs for social and cultural activities.

The Power of Place-Based Partnerships in the Fight for Equity (Subscription) - from Inside Philanthropy

July 10 - Multi-sector place-based partnerships have both the power and potential to counter threats to civil rights protections and the growing backlash against equity. They engage anchor institutions to leverage their unique resources in implementing local solutions to local challenges.

Strengthening Whole Child Communities Summit highlights the importance of place-based education as a driver of opportunity - from Kresge Foundation

August 22 - Advancing opportunities for place-based education was a major topic at the recent 2024 Summit on Strengthening Whole Child Communities: Raising the Bar from Cradle to Career. Speakers emphasized that collaborative investment across multiple sectors  is key to uplifting young people and their families through education and its intersections with housing, food security, and health.

Community Partnership of the Ozarks hosting monthly Day of Hope event to connect families to needed resources - from KY3

June 26 - On the fourth Wednesday of every month the Community Partnership of the Ozarks hosts a community event where people can access essential resources and services. Providers in Springfield, MO include healthcare organizations and public education institutions keen on addressing the needs of local residents.

Oklahoma’s Supreme Court dismisses lawsuit from last 2 survivors of Tulsa Race Massacre seeking - from PBS News

June 12 - In June the Oklahoma Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit filed on behalf of the last remaining survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The plaintiffs Lessie Benningfield Randle and Viola Fletcher, as well as Hughes Van Ellis who died in 2023, had been fighting for redress for years. Their case lies at the center of efforts to produce a detailed accounting of the damage and loss of life inflicted on the Black community in north Tulsa.

WPHF Joins City of Winter Park’s Arts & Culture Alliance - from WPHF News

July 24 - The Winter Park Health Foundation has joined more than 20 other local organizations in a City initiative to uplift  cultural work as integral to the health of communities. The Arts & Culture Alliance coordinates multi-sectoral cooperation on programs, grants, and facilities to promote local wellbeing.

Invitations to Practice Democracy - from AAC&U Liberal Education

Spring - The Spring 2024 issue of the Association of American Colleges and Universities magazine  Liberal Education featured an article about the climate on campuses across the country. The author reaffirms the important role played by educational institutions in preparing students to be engaged and informed social agents in the world.