The systems that shape health and wellbeing were created by people and, together, we can redesign them, so everyone has a full, fair and just opportunity to thrive. Doing so requires more than investing in individual programs. It calls for listening deeply to communities, strengthening organizations, building collective power, fostering collaboration and advancing policies that create lasting change.
A new paper from FSG, The Funder’s Palette: A Spectrum of Approaches for Systems Change, explores 10 complementary ways philanthropy can help transform systems. Like colors on a palette, these approaches can be combined and layered to respond to a community’s unique strengths, needs and vision for the future.
The bi3 Fund is proud to be highlighted throughout the paper as an example of systems change in action. The paper highlights Hopeful Empowered Youth (HEY!) as a model for fostering collaboration and sharing decision-making with young people. It also includes bi3’s advocacy efforts to expand Ohio Medicaid postpartum coverage and support community-led initiatives like Queens Village and Mama Certified. Jill Miller, bi3’s President and CEO, emphasizes that philanthropy has a duty to amplify its voice while ensuring that communities, especially those most impacted by systemic inequities, retain theirs.
