Prosperity starts with place.

We have learned, both from research and in practice, is that to ensure the health and prosperity of neighborhoods and the people who live there, we must strategically prioritize and strive for greater racial equity, improved health outcomes, and upward mobility. The Purpose Built Communities model for impact provides the roadmap to get there.

Our holistic approach grew from the knowledge that siloed approaches to poverty do not strengthen the collective neighborhood environment. All fundamental needs of children and families must be addressed—a safe place to live; access to quality jobs; fresh, healthy food; recreation; and high-quality education.
Mixed-Income Housing

The strategy begins by enhancing a community’s residential foundation through safe, high-quality housing for all income levels, ensuring a significant portion is dedicated to long-term, permanent affordability to reduce displacement in the neighborhood.

Cradle-to-College Education

Education, beginning at birth, is vital for healthy child development. High-quality, community-serving schools within a comprehensive early learning to grade 12 pathway foster children’s development and prepare them for college or their chosen post-graduate path.

Community Wellness

Thriving neighborhoods prioritize wellness through medical care, mental health support, healthy food access, community spaces, arts, culture, and green areas. Tailored facilities and programs promote belonging, honor history, encourage healthy lifestyles, create jobs, and enhance safety for overall well-being.

Economic Vitality

A strong commercial core fosters neighborhood prosperity and residents’ economic advancement, offering opportunities for meaningful work and wealth building. A dual-pronged strategy supporting opportunities across income levels ensures abundant local resources and participation in a thriving economy.

Defined Neighborhood

Neighborhoods are the unit of change that can have the greatest impact on people’s lives, changing life trajectories for the lowest-income residents, creating greater racial equity, improved health outcomes, and increased upward mobility.

Community Quarterback

The Community Quarterback organization effectively executes this model, collaborating with stakeholders to seamlessly integrate all the vital components that contribute to neighborhood prosperity and growth.

Mixed-Income Housing

The strategy begins by enhancing a community’s residential foundation through safe, high-quality housing for all income levels, ensuring a significant portion is dedicated to long-term, permanent affordability to reduce displacement in the neighborhood.

Community Wellness

Thriving neighborhoods prioritize wellness through medical care, mental health support, healthy food access, community spaces, arts, culture, and green areas. Tailored facilities and programs promote belonging, honor history, encourage healthy lifestyles, create jobs, and enhance safety for overall well-being.

Defined Neighborhood

Neighborhoods are the unit of change that can have the greatest impact on people’s lives, changing life trajectories for the lowest-income residents, creating greater racial equity, improved health outcomes, and increased upward mobility.

Cradle-to-College Education

Education, beginning at birth, is vital for healthy child development. High-quality, community-serving schools within a comprehensive early learning to grade 12 pathway foster children’s development and prepare them for college or their chosen post-graduate path.

Economic Vitality

A strong commercial core fosters neighborhood prosperity and residents’ economic advancement, offering opportunities for meaningful work and wealth building. A dual-pronged strategy supporting opportunities across income levels ensures abundant local resources and participation in a thriving economy.

Community Quarterback

The Community Quarterback organization effectively executes this model, collaborating with stakeholders to seamlessly integrate all the vital components that contribute to neighborhood prosperity and growth.

Research & Opinions

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Atlanta / Grove Park Foundation

Grove Park Community Marks the Beginning of a New Chapter for Children and Families

A community of partners came together in 2019 to break ground for the KIPP Woodson Park Academy, a YMCA Early Learning Center and a school-based health clinic. This historic, $51 million investment in the Grove Park neighborhood represents the first major step in a series of investments in the health, arts and affordability in the Grove Park neighborhood intended to boost health, equity, affordability, and economic mobility. As part of this new campus, the YMCA of Metro Atlanta is investing in both the education and the health of the neighborhood by building a new early learning center that will serve 65-90 students ages 0-6. A co-located, school-based health care center, funded by both the YMCA and Grove Park Foundation, will ensure that the children served on the campus and their families receive critical services that will support their ability to achieve their highest potential. … Continue Reading →

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The Purpose Built newsletter offers insights into the many facets of community development, news from Network Member, the latest research and information on best practices for removing barriers to racial equity, and much more.

Purpose Built Communities is supported by:

CF Foundation
Warren Buffett
Robertson Foundation
Ballmer Group
Bloomberg Philanthropies
Blue Meridian Partners
GA Power
JPM Chase
RWJF
Truist Foundation

Where We Thrive is Now Live

We have launched Where We Thrive – resources for place-based field advocates to talk about our collective work – resident-centered neighborhood revitalization – and how best to execute it through the lens of racial equity.

Get the Resources and Watch the Webinar