Human Services Framework and Best Practices Case Study
With a grant from the Kresge Foundation, INC is partnering with OH Community Partners to create a Human Services taxonomy of top performing organizations that create pathways toward the economic mainstream in the United States and to identify and assess the key attributes of those leading organizations. The project will then document the core strategies and promising practices that can inform the sector and philanthropic investment in the Human Services. The project was launched in Q2, 2012 and follows a strategic planning engagement with the Kresge Human Services Team, led by INC partner and board member Richard Anderson.

Boston Green Ribbon Commission
John Cleveland serves as the part time Executive Director for the Boston Green Ribbon Commission, a group of 32 high level civic and business leaders supporting the implementation of the Boston Climate Action Plan. The Commission was launched in 2010 through a joint effort of Amos Hostetter, founder of the Barr Foundation, and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. INC has been involved in the Commission from its beginning.

Urban Sustainability Directors Network
The Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) is a rapidly evolving North American network of 100-plus municipal sustainability directors who are on the front lines of addressing climate change and collaborating on local innovations for sustainability. USDN is managed by Julia Parzen. INC provides network development, facilitation and innovation fund management services to USDN. INC has been working with USDN since its inception in 2008.

A Framework for Developing Sustainable Water Markets
With a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation, INC is partnering with OH Community partners to create a framework for investment in the development of sustainable water markets that create a balance of positive economic, environmental and social outcomes. This framework is targeted for use by a combination of philanthropic funders, NGOs, governments and private investors. Patterned after our analytical work in the Building Retrofit Industry and Market (BRIM) development project, we will developed a detailed segmentation analysis for the water industry. This project was completed in January 2013.

Scan of Leading Edge Thinking and Practice on Carbon-Neutral Communities
With a grant from the Kresge Foundation, INC will create a practical “road map” for achieving carbon neutrality, with a specific focus on a carbon neutral building sector. The project will synthesize leading edge thinking and practice on carbon-neutral communities and identify the developmental steps (stages) that communities need to pursue such a future. This project launched in the first quarter of 2012.

Building a National Skills Credentialing System
INC has been working with the Workforce Development Division of ACT, Inc. for several years, supporting their strategy of leading the development of a national evidence-based skill credentialing system. The vision is to create demand-driven career pathways supported at the sector, regional and enterprise level that use evidence-based credentials to connect individuals to good jobs.