Building a 'Culture of Health' Through Leadership

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

• How the city can work with philanthropic, nonprofit, and grassroots groups to create a new form of participatory planning
• How planners can partner with philanthropic institutions and leverage new technology to support strong resident engagement and address the social determinants of health
• How to apply this model to your city or town

MORE SESSION DETAILS

Over the past two years, the New York State Health Foundation and ioby, a nonprofit civic crowdfunding platform, have partnered on the Healthy Neighborhoods Challenge, a unique campaign to help channel philanthropic support and technical assistance to small grassroots groups working on community-health initiatives. More than 40 community-led projects — from farmers’ markets to running clubs to prenatal support groups — have been funded through this campaign, in eight targeted communities across New York State. The campaign seeks out grassroots organizations and connects them with an alternate source of funding for “quick win,” positive community projects, as well as providing support and training in fundraising, organizing, and working with government decision makers. Surveys have shown that as a result of this campaign, these groups were better organized, more comfortable working with local government, and better prepared to address destabilizing events like gentrification and natural disasters.