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WEDNESDAY, AUG. 28
Symposium Agenda
Symposium Speakers
Join us for a special Wednesday symposium that celebrates our 45th anniversary while exploring and preparing for our collective future!
CDCs and other community-serving nonprofits have grown and adapted in response to major challenges over the past 45 years, including pivoting to address inequality, the shifting nature and geography of poverty, economic crises like the Great Recession, and, most recently, a global pandemic. In carrying out their missions, CDCs expanded opportunities through homeownership and affordable housing, led comprehensive change efforts, developed and supported resident leaders, and invested in communities using innovative financial tools.
Yet the pace of change is accelerating, and organizations are wondering how to remain responsive and ready for an uncertain future.
Despite these accomplishments, communities remain vulnerable to seismic changes underway in the economy, demographics, the housing and labor markets, climate and technology. While they will impact society at large, these changes particularly threaten communities of color, Native communities, and historically under-resourced rural areas. There is no resting on our laurels after 45 years – we need to look back and gather the lessons learned so we can effectively navigate the future.
During this symposium, we will collectively consider how we can respond to trends with the same spirit of strength and flexibility that has defined the field for the past 45 years.
Key questions include:
The symposium will engage everyone from executive leadership to frontline staff in thinking about how we can make our organizations and communities “future ready.” With help from our partners at The Institute for the Future, we’ll apply tested concepts, tools and frameworks for turning uncertainty into inspiration for action.
Symposium Agenda
Symposium Speakers
Join us for a special Wednesday symposium that celebrates our 45th anniversary while exploring and preparing for our collective future!
CDCs and other community-serving nonprofits have grown and adapted in response to major challenges over the past 45 years, including pivoting to address inequality, the shifting nature and geography of poverty, economic crises like the Great Recession, and, most recently, a global pandemic. In carrying out their missions, CDCs expanded opportunities through homeownership and affordable housing, led comprehensive change efforts, developed and supported resident leaders, and invested in communities using innovative financial tools.
Yet the pace of change is accelerating, and organizations are wondering how to remain responsive and ready for an uncertain future.
Despite these accomplishments, communities remain vulnerable to seismic changes underway in the economy, demographics, the housing and labor markets, climate and technology. While they will impact society at large, these changes particularly threaten communities of color, Native communities, and historically under-resourced rural areas. There is no resting on our laurels after 45 years – we need to look back and gather the lessons learned so we can effectively navigate the future.
Institute for the Future Foresight Essentials
In a world of rapid change, the ability to foresee the future—and take action—is essential. And it’s a skill you can learn. Learn more about the Institute for the Future Foresigh (IFTF).
Institute for the Future Foresight Essentials
In a world of rapid change, the ability to foresee the future—and take action—is essential. And it’s a skill you can learn. Learn more about the Institute for the Future Foresigh (IFTF).
During this symposium, we will collectively consider how we can respond to trends with the same spirit of strength and flexibility that has defined the field for the past 45 years.
Key questions include:
- How can organizations better understand potential disruptions in the decade ahead?
- What lessons can we carry forward from the past?
- What new tools, resources and planning will we need?
- What steps can we take now to adapt and remain strong and proactive, so that our communities have the future they’ve been working toward?
The symposium will engage everyone from executive leadership to frontline staff in thinking about how we can make our organizations and communities “future ready.” With help from our partners at The Institute for the Future, we’ll apply tested concepts, tools and frameworks for turning uncertainty into inspiration for action.
Special thanks to our symposium sponsor
With content support from
