OUR APPROACH

A dynamic approach to accelerating change

We deliver tailored end-to-end programming that fosters organizational learning, ecosystem collaboration, and strategic action through three main areas:

Social Design Hub

Driving Systemic Change

We bring together an array of stakeholders, such as leaders, partners, organizations and community members, to create and test innovative ideas that promote economic and social well-being by:

  • Establishing learning spaces to identify opportunities for change

  • Facilitating design-led workshops to architect strategies and programs

  • Piloting, refining and evaluating new programs and policies

  • Building tools to measure impact effectively

Research & Communication Institute

A Data-Driven Approach To Fuel Real-Time Adaptation

We conduct in-depth research to uncover and tackle important social and economic challenges by turning insights into real-world action to shape a better future through:

  • Developing actionable research briefs, white papers, guides and relevant media content

  • Contextualizing today's challenges by rooting our analysis in history, people, policy and science

  • Gathering and sharing practices rooted in the experience of people and places, domestically and internationally

  • Building research partnerships with leading institutions for greater impact

Research Methods:

  • Narrative inquiry

  • Mixed methods analyses

  • Action research

  • Human-centered design

Community Engagement

Economies Are Local. So Is Our Focus.

We make sure your vision and strategy reflect real community and geographic needs by:

  • Hosting workshops and collaborative design sessions

  • Sharing insights and lessons with our network to encourage collective growth

  • Bringing together workers, employers, and policymakers to build solutions from the ground up with humanity at the heart

  • Continuing to form strong partnerships with organizations across the country.

Current partners include ComcastNBCUniversal, IDEO.org, Opportunity at Work, 1PHL, The Commerce Department of The City Of Philadelphia, The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, Philadelphia Works, and The Philadelphia Equity Alliance.