Perspective by bi3 Director of Community Partnerships Jena’ Bradley
bi3 Director of Community Partnerships Jena’ Bradley
bi3’s commitment to partnering with grassroots organizations reflects our belief that lasting change begins at the community level. These organizations, rooted in lived experience and relationships, are essential catalysts for culturally responsive, community-driven solutions that strengthen Greater Cincinnati.
Greater Cincinnati benefits from having a rich landscape of community-based organizations that leverage their proximity and relationships to develop culturally relevant and responsive solutions.
What is a community-based, grassroots organization?
While there is no single definition for these organizations, bi3 identifies them as those embodying a combination of the following characteristics:
- Bottom-up approach: Power is derived from the community level, and community members are mobilized into action.
- Lived experience leadership: Efforts are created and led by those most affected by the issues and opportunities their work seeks to address.
- Limited resources: These organizations often operate with smaller budgets and fewer resources as compared to larger, more established organizations.
- Adaptable and responsive structures: Greater flexibility is allowed in addressing new challenges and opportunities.
- Local focus: Their focus is addressing issues in a specific community.
How can funders show up for community-based organizations?
Through these partnerships, bi3 has deepened our understanding of our community’s aspirations and needs, and what it takes to show up as true partners. Below are some of our reflections and learnings about what partnership means and looks like with community-based, grassroots organizations and how we, and other funders, can support their success.
- Build trust-based relationships to foster transparency and collaboration. This includes communicating with clarity, care and honesty; caring about leaders (and not just their work); setting mutual expectations; and being people of our word.
- Offer active support and engagement. Community-based organizations are experts in program delivery and engagement. While they grow their capacity and reach, there may be spaces where additional support could bolster organizations’ efforts (such as measurement, making connections, and securing funding). Provide that support when requested.
- Be flexible and responsive. Flexibility in funding partnerships can support smaller organizations to be adaptable and nimble. Leverage additional resources (such as time, connections, and funding) to enable organizations to pivot and respond to community and infrastructure needs.
- Stay informed. Track legislative and other policy changes that may impact partners or their work, share conferences and other learning opportunities, and support connections that might not already exist.
- Elevate grassroots experts. Community-based organizations and their leaders are experts with valuable insights that could shape the field. Listen to and amplify their work to build visibility and to drive growth and broader impact.
Together, with our grassroots partners, we are building a region where every voice is valued, and every community can share its own path toward health and wellbeing.
Your Move:
In what ways can you support and amplify the work of community-based, grassroots organizations and their leaders?
