Equity-Focused Economic Development, Strategic Program Implementation
Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services
Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services partnered with Indigo Innovation Group to assess the impact, equity, and implementation of policies for the Isaac Coleman Economic Development Program.
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About Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services
Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services serves the community by providing essential health and social services to residents. The Isaac Coleman Economic Development Program focuses on fostering economic mobility and equity through strategic investments and partnerships with local organizations and institutions.
— Abena Asante, St. David's Foundation
Challenge
Buncombe County DHHS needed to assess the impact and equity of the Isaac Coleman Economic Development Program to refine its policies and practices. The goal was to build new processes that would promote transparency, equity, and strategic grantmaking to enhance the program's effectiveness in the 2019–2020 funding cycle.
Solution
Indigo Innovation Group conducted interviews with key stakeholders, including county commissioners, institutions, grantees, and grassroots leaders, to assess the current program structure. Through a four-phased framework (healing, navigating, strategizing, and leveraging), Indigo facilitated convenings to align relationships between institutional partners and grantees. A final report with key data and recommendations was presented to DHHS leadership, staff, and County Commissioners.
Results
Indigo Innovation Group’s work with Buncombe County DHHS resulted in the development of new systems and processes grounded in equity and transparency. By engaging stakeholders and aligning institutional partners with grantees, the collaboration strengthened the Isaac Coleman Economic Development Program’s foundation. The process enabled the department to identify strategic grantmaking approaches that would have a greater impact in the community.
The recommendations presented by Indigo Innovation Group provided the DHHS leadership and County Commissioners with actionable data to guide future funding cycles. The enhanced structure, built on transparency and equity, has positioned the Isaac Coleman Program for more effective implementation and long-term success in supporting economic mobility and equity within Buncombe County.