Welcome to this November issue of AITF News. As usual, feel free to share your thoughts on how AITF can be a useful resource.

Congratulations to the Inaugural Cohort of AITF's Anchor Fellows Program

We are pleased to announce the 2021 Inaugural Cohort of AITF's Anchor Fellows Program. Click here to see their bios.

The Anchor Fellows Program adds a dimension to existing training of future anchor leaders by preparing a next generation committed to AITF’s values to successfully navigate the engagement of anchors in their local communities. This training also highlights the competencies required to build and maintain the commitment and infrastructure to sustain a comprehensive commitment to democratic local engagement.

We will open the application process for the next cohort in early 2022.

November is usually a busy time of year at AITF. All AITF Subgroups and Subcommittees are holding their annual meetings. The Economic Development Executives Subgroup, the Health Professionals Subgroup, the Higher Education Presidential Subgroup, and the Education Subcommittee are holding important conversations this month. These meetings often inform the development of new ideas and initiatives for our field.  Stay tuned to learn more about any particular efforts produced by these conversations. AITF will also create a new subgroup to be launched in January.

The AITF Advisory Council also holds its annual meeting in November. This group was created in 2019 in order to assemble a group of leaders at various levels, who represents the range of fields relevant in anchor institution-community partnerships – higher education, health care, the arts, government, and more. See the latest list of Advisory Council members here.

New Book by David Maurrasse



Strategic Community Partnerships, Philanthropy, and Nongovernmental Organization

This important book focuses on particular aspects of the development and implementation of community partnerships based in – and focused – on neighborhoods, municipalities, and regions. Throughout the book, David J. Maurrasse stresses the importance of philanthropy and representation from different types of organizations across public, private, and nongovernmental spectrums. Please see the book's publication information and the E-book.

Webinar: Establishing a fund for anchor institutions and national work initiative: pursuing just and equitable communities in light of COVID-19

The Anchor Institutions Task Force (AITF) has been circulating a policy brief calling for a Fund for Anchor Institutions and a Work Initiative, both of which would create greater alignment between government at all levels and anchor institutions toward rebuilding and reimagining communities in the years to come. AITF Director, David Maurrasse and leaders of anchor institutions from AITF’s membership—Nancy Cantor, chancellor, Rutgers University-Newark and Paul Pribbenow, president, Augsburg University—will discuss the policy brief, the need to strengthen and expand the democratic engagement of anchor institutions in their communities, and the experiences of anchor institutions in partnerships that are confronting the most pressing issues facing localities.

Register via this link.

New Article: An Engagement of Hope: A Framework and Equity-Centered Theory of Action for Community Engagement

Building upon the proposed concept of an engagement of hope (Green, Stewart, Bergen, & Nayve, 2020) emerging from the exploration of faith-based approaches to community engagement, the authors delve into collaborative inquiry and critical reflection to construct a framework and equity-centered theory of action for community engagement.

Read more.

Mass General Brigham Invests $50 million in Community and Mental Health



October 28 - Mass General Brigham in Boston, MA, announced a $50 million investment in a new, comprehensive community and mental health strategy to improve the health of the communities it serves. In partnership with 20 community-based organizations, the initiative targets programs to improve mental healthcare capacity, workforce development, chronic disease management, as well as nutrition security and equity.

WSHA presents 2021 Community Health Leadership Award to state hospitals, health care leaders



October 28 - The Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) on Oct. 28 presented its annual Community Health Leadership Award to five recipients for their work serving the community in innovative ways through the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Valley Bounty: UMass Dining Models Eating Local at Huge Scale



October 26 - “Just buying local is so yesterday, we’re also beginning to track diversity, equity and inclusion as it relates to our purchasing.” Says Chris Howland, director of procurement, logistics and special projects at UMass Amherst Dining. The school uses a tiered system for prioritizing what it buys, first looking for products from within Massachusetts, then expanding the search to New England and finally a 250-mile radius from campus.

$2M Grant to UNC-Chapel Hill Program Will Rebuild, Fortify Local Economies across North Carolina and Beyond



October 20 - The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill announced new programming that will transform economically distressed communities hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Focusing on powerful partnerships, the programs will help build resilient local economies with more job opportunities and business growth in North Carolina and across the country.

Study Reveals Muncie Ivy Tech Has Positive Impact on Local Economy



October 4 - A recent study has revealed the positive economic impact Ivy Tech Community College makes on the state of Indiana, and takes a closer look at how the college's Muncie service area added jobs and income to the local economy. Conducted by Emsi Burning Glass, the study outlines the return on investment that Ivy Tech makes to its major stakeholder groups, including students, taxpayers and the community. The analysis reflects a $3.9 billion cumulative annual impact through the state.