The Change Handbook, 2nd Edition

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GILBERT STEIL, JR., AND MAL WATLINGTON

Community Summits

The community stagnates without the impulse of the individual. The impulse dies away without the sympathy of the community.

—William James

Focusing Funding on Worthy Causes

Early in the new century, leadership at the United Way of Rhode Island (UWRI) became aware that their potential for positive community change had become diluted over time. Funding an ever-increasing number of worthy causes had reduced the allocation to each to a level that precluded major impact. Realizing this, they sought ways to focus their funding, while minimizing the political fallout expected from more selective ...