Collective Impact
The world’s most urgent issues are bound up in complex, entrenched patterns that require complex, adaptive solutions. These solutions don’t reside in any one organization or person but rather in collective impact: networks of community members, organizations, and institutions that leverage their combined experience and resources for systemic change.
Collective Impact Design and Support
Community Allies coordinates the efforts of nonprofits, government agencies, learning institutions, social enterprises, funders, impacted communities, and other stakeholders across historic divides of race, economics and power.
Communities of Practice
Community Allies convenes leaders of social change efforts to build capacity by exchanging knowledge, identifying opportunities for coordinated action, and establishing a trusted circle of peers for ongoing support.
Facilitation and Strategy
Community Allies creates processes for groups to identify strategies to transform their communities and systems. We pay particular attention to what’s not being said, ensuring that all voices get heard and foregrounding the voices of the most impacted populations.
“Community Allies creates environments where stakeholders can come together to share their perspectives on important issues like income inequality, access to capital, and power dynamics.”
– Rudy Espinoza, Inclusive Action for the City
“Ellen has a talent for moving communities and organizations forward by combining an inspiring long-range vision with immediate, practical steps for making change.”
– Stacy Mitchell, Director, Institute for Local Self-Reliance
“Ellen was a great thought partner in developing the agenda for and facilitating a complex meeting among grantees, funders, and evaluators.”
– Kathryn Pettit, Principal Research Associate, The Urban Institute
"Community Allies crafts experiences that lead teams to sound strategy, stronger relationships, and more equitable outcomes."
– Elissa Sangalli, CEO, Northern Initiatives
“I highly recommend Ellen for her ability to navigate complex issues and multiple personalities as a facilitator.”
–Margaret O’Conor, Executive Director, Common Pantry
“Ellen has an ability to ‘hold space’ for difficult and nuanced conversations.”
– Peter Durand, Board Member, The Value Web
“Ellen is one of the most adept team leaders I have ever met.”
– Martin Sorge, Executive Director, Uptown United
“Ellen couldn't have been a better facilitator. There was an immediate sense of trust that allowed people to open to a conversation they might not have otherwise had."
– Kelli Wefenstette, Executive Director, Six Corners Association and Special Service Area #28
Community Allies helps a venerable CDFI to develop a strategic plan that supports a transition to new leadership and sets ambitious goals in the face of instability in political and funding environments.
A nationwide convening of systems-change leaders elicits important lessons for the field.
With new leadership and an expanded scope, a venerable CDFI seeks to align staff around shared goals and approaches.
