Our Vision for Scale

To scale the innovations and best practices from our place-based model for widespread adoption, Cultivate Collective established The Institute. This institute will offer residencies, conferences, a speaker series, and outbound consulting services to help others implement Cultivate Collective's emergent methods within their own communities. Rather than replicating or franchising our model restrictively, our aim is to disseminate the fundamental values, innovations, and programs that can rapidly address social and environmental inequities globally, in a sustainable manner.

Core Areas of Impact

  • Social and Racial Justice: Cultivate Collective is deeply committed to social and racial justice. Our initiatives are designed to close the racial wealth gap and cultivate thriving, just communities. Through targeted programs and partnerships, we address systemic inequities and create opportunities for marginalized populations.
  • Environmental Sustainability and Justice: As leaders in unparalleled environmental sustainability, we prioritize climate-resiliency and environmental justice. Our community hub in Chicago serves as a model for net-positive energy use and climate resilience, showcasing how urban areas can adapt to and mitigate climate change impacts.
  • Innovative Public Education: Cultivate Collective hosts an innovative environmental public school model that attracts visitors from around the world. Since its inception in 2008, the Academy for Global Citizenship (AGC) has reimagined education by delivering high-quality K-8th grade learning to low-income, minority students in Southwest Chicago. AGC has become a world-renowned leader in integrating whole-child, place-based environmental education, pioneering a unique blend of sustainability, health and wellness, dual language instruction, and a commitment to global citizenship within the International Baccalaureate framework. Remarkably, AGC has achieved all of this within the per-pupil budget allocation of Chicago Public Schools. The Academy has not only significantly improved education and health standards for its students and their families but has also shared its insights with over 10,000 educators worldwide, ultimately impacting over five million students globally.
  • Multi-Generational Learning and Cradle-to-Career Pathways: Our model promotes multi-generational learning and cradle-to-career pathways. We offer educational and vocational training programs that span all ages, ensuring that community members have access to continuous learning opportunities and pathways to meaningful careers.
  • Green Job Training: Cultivate Collective provides green job training to equip individuals with the skills needed for the emerging green economy. These programs prepare community members for careers in sustainable industries, fostering economic vitality and environmental stewardship.
  • Community Health and Wellness: We prioritize community health and wellness through a variety of programs that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our initiatives include health education, access to healthcare services, and wellness activities that support holistic health for all community members.
  • Food Security and Urban Agriculture: Improving food security is a central component of our mission. Through urban agriculture projects, we provide fresh, healthy food to the community while also educating residents about sustainable farming practices. These initiatives help to combat food deserts and promote self-sufficiency.
  • Community Economic Vitality: Cultivate Collective fosters community economic vitality by supporting local businesses, encouraging entrepreneurship, and creating economic opportunities. Our approach includes providing resources and training for small business owners, as well as developing community-based economic initiatives.

Sharing Our Model

To share our best practices and enable widespread impact, The Institute will:

  • Residencies: Offer immersive residencies where leaders from other communities can experience our model firsthand, learn from our successes and challenges, and develop tailored strategies to implement similar practices in their own contexts.
  • Conferences and Speaker Series: Host conferences and a speaker series featuring thought leaders and practitioners in social justice, environmental sustainability, education, and community development. These events will facilitate knowledge exchange and inspire collaborative solutions to global challenges.
  • Outbound Consulting Services: Provide consulting services to organizations and communities seeking to adopt our methods. Our experts will offer guidance on designing and implementing programs that align with Cultivate Collective's values and principles.
  • Collaborative Research and Publications: Engage in collaborative research projects and publish findings on the impact and scalability of our model. By contributing to the academic and professional discourse, we aim to influence policy and practice on a broader scale.
  • Online Learning and Resources: Develop an online platform offering courses, toolkits, and resources that allow individuals and organizations worldwide to learn about and implement our best practices. This digital hub will ensure that our knowledge is accessible to a global audience.

Through these initiatives, Cultivate Collective is poised to make a lasting impact by equipping communities around the world with the tools and knowledge to foster sustainable development and equity. By sharing our comprehensive approach, we aim to build a network of empowered communities capable of driving social, environmental, and economic transformation.