activities · 5
what they do
direct service · 1
- Facilitating Community Engagement and Dialogue Convening & Movement-Building for Social JusticeCohear Foundation brings together individuals with lived experience and decision-makers through virtual and in-person gatherings, strategic planning sessions, community dialogues, and team-building workshops to foster meaningful interactions and consensus-building. They utilize a network of community "Bridgebuilders" to identify and engage diverse participants, including BIPOC, immigrants, youth, low-income residents, and seniors.
advocacy · 1
- Contributing to Educational and Policy Changes Youth Civic Leadership TrainingCohear Foundation contributes to the creation and adoption of district-wide Anti-Racism policies informed by student voices, the implementation of "Adulting 101" classes, curriculum changes to include year-round Black history, and the expansion of "Speak Up Speak Out" forums in schools.
research · 1
- Conducting Community-Based Research and Analysis Community Needs Assessment & ResearchThe organization conducts thematic analysis of community input, including focus groups, interviews, and surveys, to identify priorities, generate actionable recommendations for neighborhood development, and synthesize data into themes for economic growth and financial sustainability. This research informs strategies for various initiatives, such as the Cincinnati Futures Commission and workforce development.
capacity building · 2
- Establishing Community Advisory BoardsThe organization forms and supports Community Advisory Boards composed of longtime residents to guide program implementation, provide feedback on community needs and initiatives, and ensure community-driven goals are met.
- Providing Capacity Building and Strategic Recommendations Nonprofit Capacity Building SupportCohear Foundation delivers customized training programs and resources to strengthen organizational capacity and promote long-term sustainability. They develop actionable recommendations for organizations, such as diversifying collections and staff for art museums, and provide community-informed frameworks that shape strategies for housing, safety, youth engagement, business support, and transparent budget communication.
strategies · 1
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
named programs · 4
what they call their work
Community Engagement
Leverages the "Bridgebuilder" model to ensure inclusive participation and create welcoming spaces for authentic conversations between "everyday experts" and decision-makers.
Community Organizing
Organizes through a network of "Bridgebuilders" to bring "everyday experts" to the table for discussions.
Purposefully Designed Focus Groups
Facilitates discussions where leaders learn directly from community members, building trust and making connections.
Strategy Development
Organizes conversations between community members and decision-makers to generate actionable insights, summarized in reports and strategy documents.
relationships · 16
who they work with
- Cincinnati Art Museum Partner — Partnered to conduct a multi-faceted engagement process to expand the museum's reach and reflect community diversity.
- Cincinnati Art Museum Partner — Partnered to shape a more inclusive environment.
- Cincinnati Futures Commission Partner — Partnered on economic growth and urban planning initiatives.
- Cincinnati Futures Commission Partner — Partnered to lead the Community Insights and Priorities Workstream and inform the commission's recommendations.
- Cincinnati Metro Partner — Transportation agency partner that worked with Cohear to build relationships with riders and gather community insights.
- Cincinnati Public Schools Partner — Partnered on centering teen voice for racial equity.
- Cincinnati Public Schools Partner — Partnered to address racial equity and improve educational outcomes by centering the voices of students, parents, and educators.
- City of Columbus Partner — Collaborated with Cohear to lead a community engagement initiative for the Eastland neighborhood.
- City of Columbus Dept. of Neighborhoods Partner — Partnered with the City of Columbus Department of Neighborhoods.
- EY Partner — Staff collaborated on debriefing notes and summaries from data analysis.
- Greater Cincinnati Foundation Partner — Client partner that conducted multiple conversations with Cohear to inform strategic direction.
- MKSK Partner — Consulting partner collaborating with Cohear on community engagement and planning in Eastland.
- NDC Partner — Consulting partner working alongside Cohear to facilitate community input and planning in Eastland.
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital Partner — Long-term institutional partner that collaborated with Cohear to engage community input.
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital Partner — Partnered on prioritizing residents in Linden's reinvestment.
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital Partner — Partnered to launch a multi-phase engagement effort to center residents in decision-making in the Linden neighborhood.