Come along as we delve into what makes the previous 5 years, and the ones to come, so special.
A Design Thinking and Action Research Methodology: Centering the Community as Experts
At Change Often, we believe that communities hold the key to solving their challenges. Our design thinking and action research approach places the community at the center, recognizing their expertise and insights as essential to developing effective solutions. By tackling problems upstream and involving community members in the problem-solving process, we create sustainable and innovative solutions that enhance equity and have a measurable impact. Through this methodology, we embody our commitment to serving as catalysts of change.
Our action research methodology combines rigorous research with practical action. We engage with the community to understand their challenges and needs, and co-create solutions with stakeholders. By prototyping, testing, and reflecting on our initiatives, we continuously learn and improve. This approach ensures contextually relevant and impactful solutions. An example of this methodology in action is our collaboration with Open Door Ministries to develop the "Center for Hope and Healing" in High Point, North Carolina. Through this approach, we have connected with communities, driven transformative change, and extended our impact to benefit more individuals and cities.
Quality Delivery: What We Do, We Do Well
Our passion for excellence drives us to deliver quality outcomes in everything we undertake. We live by the belief that anything worth doing is worth doing well. With a growth mindset and a relentless focus on continuous improvement, we navigate challenging projects with agility and creativity, finding unique solutions for change. Our dedication to quality extends to project management, stakeholder engagement, and research & design, ensuring that every aspect of our work reflects attention to detail, inspiration, and resilience.
By adhering to a detailed project management plan, we efficiently manage the scope, timeline, risks, and budget, ensuring that projects stay on track and meet intended goals. Our team strives to demonstrate a commitment to flexibility, responsiveness, and attention to detail, effectively addressing any unexpected obstacles that arise during any project's implementation.
Differentiated and Inclusive Collaboration: Building Consensus and Reflecting Buy-In
Inclusive collaboration lies at the heart of our success. We are committed to building equitable engagement that reflects the diversity of perspectives and experiences within our communities, as well as teaching our collaborators best practices around inclusion of diverse voices. Our collaborative approach fosters consensus-building, gaining buy-in, and sharing ownership with key stakeholders. Empathy, integrity, and candid communication guide us as we turn big ideas into actionable plans, driving projects forward with proficiency and responsiveness.
Measuring Impact and Desired Outcomes
Change Often’s true measure of success lies in the lives impacted. We are driven by the desire to create meaningful change and lasting impact in our communities. Through our projects and initiatives, we seek to inspire hope and make a positive difference in the lives of those we serve. Our desired outcomes are sustainable, scalable, and innovative solutions that resonate with our impact partners and create a more equitable and empowered future for all.
Notably, we have measured leveraged funds for impact partner work. Over the past 5 years, we have secured more than $19M for our impact partners, helping them to achieve their vision and work towards a more sustainable future.
Our Vision for the Future
As we commemorate these five years of transformative social innovation, our vision remains unwavering. Change Often is poised to be the sought-after partner for organizations and communities that dare to confront social and economic challenges. With authenticity, capacity-building, and innovative solutions as our guiding principles, we envision a future where hope thrives, challenges are overcome, and positive change is a collective responsibility. Our growth mindset propels us to embrace change as an opportunity for progress and transformation.
Conclusion
Today, as we celebrate this significant milestone, we recommit ourselves to our core values and the enduring vision that fuels our journey. Change Often is not just a name; it is our guiding philosophy, inspiring the potential for change that has always resided within us. With integrity, accountability, and a relentless drive to make a difference, we stand united in igniting hope, forging impactful collaborations, and creating a world where social innovation is the catalyst for transformative change. We step into the future with boundless enthusiasm and the unwavering belief that together, we can create a world that embraces positive change and leaves a lasting legacy for generations to come. We hope you will join us for the next chapter of our journey - a chapter filled with limitless possibilities and empowered communities.