At Mosaics, we believe that lasting positive change happens when businesses, nonprofits, and communities work together as true partners. Our approach breaks down traditional silos and creates the conditions for transformative collaboration through three key elements: a strategic framework for cross-sector impact, a clear understanding of the challenges we face, and proven principles for building effective partnerships. Together, these elements enable solutions that are more innovative, equitable, and sustainable.
Complex challenges require new approaches. The Mosaic strategy combines the strengths of businesses, nonprofits, and communities by convening diverse partners and frame challenges to see challenges clearly, facilitating innovation sessions to see new possibilities and solutions, and managing project logistics and sharing outcomes and insights to keep partners focused on the challenge.
The strategy begins with the aspiration of neighborhood transformation. It is an integrated set of choices that cascade to increasing levels of depth that define 'what would have to be true' for that choice to come true. Cascading back up provides a reality check for sufficiency. You can download a copy here.
Before we can create effective solutions, we must understand the full scope and nature of what stands in our way. The challenges facing communities today are interconnected and deeply rooted in systems that weren't designed for equity or sustainability. By examining these challenges through multiple lenses - community understanding, business perspective, and nonprofit expertise - we can better understand the obstacles and opportunities for comprehensive and effective solutions.
Framing the challenge is critical to understanding what we're solving for. When framing is overlooked, even great teams can solve the wrong problem perfectly. For example, a traditional framing might be "Empty storefronts make our neighborhood look abandoned and unsafe. How do we attract new businesses?" A new reframing through the lens of thriving could be "Our neighborhood has spaces available for community creativity. How might we activate these spaces to bring neighbors together and spark local enterprise?" The framing sets the tone for right solutions.
We reframe challenges by:
Stepping back to understand the broader context
Challenging assumptions
Engaging diverse perspectives
Focusing on root causes, not just symptoms
Looking through a lens of abundance
The heart of transformative change lies in bringing the right partners together in the right way. Consider how different perspectives might transform empty storefronts into opportunities for community vitality: residents know which spaces could best serve local needs; artists envision creative uses that celebrate neighborhood culture; business incubators see pathways to nurture local entrepreneurs; property owners understand space adaptation and sustainability; and established businesses recognize mentorship opportunities. When these perspectives unite with shared purpose, solutions emerge that none could achieve alone.
Creating the conditions for real collaboration that produces equitable, sustainable outcomes for communities require that all partners practice five core principles:
Traditional hierarchies give way to shared decision-making where resources and influence flow in all directions. Each partner's expertise is equally valued and respected, and business funding never equals greater control. We openly discuss and actively balance power dynamics to ensure true collaboration.
Communities stand at the heart of every partnership. Their local knowledge and lived experience drive priorities and solutions, while their cultural wisdom shapes how partners work together. Community voice doesn't just inform strategy – it leads it. This ensures solutions are grounded in real needs and aspirations.
When we recognize and activate each sector's unique strengths, true collaboration becomes possible. Business expertise and nonprofit mission focus naturally complement community wisdom. Partners step outside their traditional roles to learn from each other, allowing resources and capabilities to flow freely across sector boundaries.
The foundation of our work lies in building genuine understanding and demonstrating respect and cultural humility in every interaction. Partners keep their commitments, maintain mutual accountability, and build relationships that extend beyond specific projects.
Partners are accountable to each other and, most importantly, to the community. We establish clear expectations upfront, measure progress transparently, and make course corrections through collaborative dialogue. Success is ultimately defined by community benefit.