What Is Project Equity?

PROJECT EQUITY: REDESIGNING THE LEHIGH VALLEY NONPROFIT SECTOR aims to bring together nonprofit stakeholders to create a common vision, values, and strategies for redesigning an equitable, sustainable nonprofit sector.

Why was this project launched?

The COVID-19 pandemic, economic downturn, and the heightened national consciousness on racial disparities has laid bare the systemic racism and historic disinvestment in our communities, as well as the stark inequities in our society. The nonprofit sector is serving a vital need during this crisis, but is being stretched in many ways. We need to operate differently to serve our community and we have an opportunity to rebuild in a way that focuses on equity and sustainability. Now is the time to ask – how can the Lehigh Valley nonprofit community build an equitable, sustainable nonprofit sector together? It’s with that vision in mind, that we are launching Project Equity.

PROJECT EQUITY: REDESIGNING THE LEHIGH VALLEY NONPROFIT SECTOR aims to bring together nonprofit stakeholders to create a common vision, values, and strategies for redesigning an equitable, sustainable nonprofit sector.

Why was this project launched?

The COVID-19 pandemic, economic downturn, and the heightened national consciousness on racial disparities has laid bare the systemic racism and historic disinvestment in our communities, as well as the stark inequities in our society. The nonprofit sector is serving a vital need during this crisis, but is being stretched in many ways. We need to operate differently to serve our community and we have an opportunity to rebuild in a way that focuses on equity and sustainability. Now is the time to ask - how can the Lehigh Valley nonprofit community build an equitable, sustainable nonprofit sector together? It’s with that vision in mind, that we are launching Project Equity.

What Is Co-Design?

When an organization(s) and its stakeholders work together to design or rethink a service. In this co-design process, we are inviting the people most affected by COVID-19 and systemic inequities into the problem-solving and decision-making space to address how the nonprofit sector can rebuild in a way that focuses on equity and sustainability.

When an organization(s) and its stakeholders work together to design or rethink a service. In this co-design process, we are inviting the people most affected by COVID-19 and systemic inequities into the problem-solving and decision-making space to address how the nonprofit sector can rebuild in a way that focuses on equity and sustainability.

Project Phases

The project includes four distinct phases. Below details the key items that will occur in each phase.

Please go to the Project Process page to learn more.

Phase 1 - Community-Wide Launch

There will be a creation of a Design Team made up of nonprofit and community representatives. Participating organizations will receive a grant.

Phase 2 - Learn & Discover

Design Team participants will engage in intensive dialogue about their experience in the nonprofit space. We will also aim to understand what our community and nonprofit sector has experienced as the pandemic, racial injustice and an economic downturn converge.

Phase 3 - Community Co-Designing

The Design Team will review data, answer key questions, and craft a common vision, values, and strategies for an equity-centered recovery and re-imagining of the nonprofit sector.

Phase 4 - Share & Act

With a completed framework in hand, the information will be shared and distributed to all stakeholders within the Lehigh Valley. Seed funding will support immediate action for outlined strategies.

KEY VALUES

Grounded In The Community's Expertise

Transparent

Centered On Equity

Learning and Evolving

Inclusive

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