Compass Datacenters’ Post

"The phrase “community engagement” is everywhere these days. Nonprofits and others aim to employ community engagement practices to ensure input from constituents on everything from grant advising to neighborhood housing to political campaigns. Nonetheless, it’s no secret that community members in the United States are often not in the driver’s seat when setting nonprofit or public sector priorities. Far too often, those directly affected by decisions are not consulted at all. Using community engagement tools and resources in a well-planned and meaningful way can have a real and lasting impact on communities, decision-making processes, and individual and family wellbeing. But the benefits of community engagement only occur when it is structured in a way that changes power relationships." #communityengagement #participatorydemocracy #peoplepower

🚨 The Reality of Community Engagement over here in 2024 I recently had a conversation with a nonprofit about their community engagement plan, and we hit on a frustrating but important reality: the landscape has shifted dramatically. Gone are the days when an inspiring story alone could secure a partnership. Especially in the aftermath of 2020, fewer organizations—whether churches, businesses, or other nonprofits—have the financial resources, capacity, or personnel (even volunteers!) to invest outside their own walls. Take churches, for example. Asking one to partner with your nonprofit when its attendance and/or financial support are dwindling is a recipe for disappointment—for both sides. To succeed in this new reality, community engagement leaders need to rethink their approach. Here’s what we discussed: 💡 Partnerships Must Be Reciprocal Don’t just ask, “How can you help us?” Start asking, “How can we help each other?” Partnerships need to align mutual goals and offer tangible benefits to all parties involved. 🎯 Understand Their Needs First Effective engagement begins with identifying your potential partner’s own goals, the obstacles they face, and how your partnership can help solve their problems and set them up for success. 🏆 Be the Guide, Not the Hero As I always say: Stop trying to be the hero in someone else’s story. Your role is to be the guide who helps them win. Show them how your collaboration can be the solution they’re looking for. The organizations that master this mindset shift will thrive in community engagement. Those that don’t? They risk spinning their wheels and wondering why their efforts aren’t landing. What’s your experience with navigating this changing landscape? Let’s talk in the comments! 👇

🌟 It Starts With You! 🌟 Building strong communities doesn’t happen overnight—it starts with each one of us. Every effort, no matter how small, contributes to our collective strength. Whether it’s volunteering, participating in local events, or simply spreading positivity, your involvement is crucial. Get involved with the Mattapan Community Development Corporation today and be a part of something bigger. Together, we can create a resilient, vibrant community. Let's make a difference, one action at a time! 🚀🌍 #GetInvolvedMattapan #StrongCommunities #CommunityBuilding #MattapanStrong #EveryActionCounts #Volunteer #LocalEngagement #MakeADifference #CommunityStrength #BeTheChange #UnityInCommunity #ActLocal #CommunityPride #TogetherWeCan #Mattapan

On our recent visit to New York’s North Country, we heard that delivering essential social services can be a major challenge due to the area’s vast geography and low population density, and that the nonprofit sector plays a critical role in addressing this issue. In today's article, the authors detail how nonprofits support low- and moderate-income communities in both small towns and larger municipalities across the North Country. https://nyfed.org/4fgkz5Y

In the world of community development and sustainability, it’s essential to set goals based on actions you can control, rather than outcomes that may or may not happen. This approach empowers you to feel more in control of your progress, increasing the likelihood of achieving your goals. When you focus on actions, you can directly influence your progress. Example of Action-Oriented Goals: ❌ Outcome-Oriented Goal: “Secure $10,000 in donations for our community project.” ✅ Action-Oriented Goal: “Reach out to 50 potential donors each week and share our impact stories on social media daily.” Another example: ❌ Outcome-Oriented Goal: “Increase community participation by 50% in our sustainability programs.” ✅ Action-Oriented Goal: “Host 4 community workshops per month and engage with 10 community members daily to understand their needs.” Key Takeaway: By focusing on actions, you ensure steady progress and maintain control over your efforts. This method not only boosts your confidence but also leads to more sustainable, long-term success. Remember, consistent actions lead to meaningful outcomes!

Dusseldorp Forum has partnered with a number of place-based initiatives over the past ten years which are delivering real impact by bringing together the resources their communities need to thrive. In places where communities face entrenched issues of structural disadvantage and injustice, they are offering some of the most promising solutions to the persistent challenges of fragmented services and systems that do not meet the needs of children, families or the communities they are there to serve. Partnerships for Local Action and Community Empowerment (PLACE) the new national centre for place-based collaboration is designed to strengthen and sustain the conditions for place-based initiatives like these to grow and thrive, so more communities are enabled and empowered to accelerate progress on the challenges that matter most to them.  https://lnkd.in/geynrjx4

Honesty with self, #stakeholders, and investors/donors is critical to the progress of any development or sustainability project. When we're too ambitious and don't meet our desired outcomes, those "promises" originally made seem too tough to share in their failures. We must focus on #action-based goals, setting milestones for low-hanging #achievements, and recording real-time progress. We exist to support organisations that care about #tracking and making a #measurable difference. It's a joy working with a like-minded team, partners, and clients who are doing phenomenal work tracking their action-based impact goals. Get in touch to discover our action-based goal-setting process for your sustainability and development initiatives.

Imagine the impact if you truly engaged with your operating communities…   In today’s dynamic corporate landscape, the power of businesses, regardless of their size, to engage with and give back to their communities is unparalleled. This isn’t just about fostering a sense of responsibility and goodwill—it’s about unlocking countless opportunities for growth and success.   From local charity initiatives to securing license to operate, the avenues for meaningful community support are endless. When businesses invest in their communities, they build stronger relationships, enhance their brand reputation, and drive positive change.   By prioritizing community engagement, you can inspire loyalty, attract talent, and set your business apart in the marketplace.   It’s time to harness the power of community to fuel both your business and its social impact.   #CommunityEngagement #CorporateResponsibility #SocialImpact #BusinessWithPurpose #CSR #CommunitySupport

Connecting with others can do wonders for your mood and overall well-being. Whether it's through support groups, community events, or volunteering, building a network of support is crucial. If you're feeling isolated or need help finding your community, email us at [email protected]. We're here to guide you in building those meaningful connections. 🌷 #motivation #community #supportnetwork

How Can Nonprofits Support Movement Work? By Finding the Right Policy Lane