In April, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Council on Foundations (COF) announced that Albuquerque-based Nusenda Foundation and the Albuquerque Living Cities Integration Initiative (now City Alive) were among the winners of a 2017 HUD Secretary’s Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships.

According to the COF, “the awards honor 10 innovative and impactful cross-sector initiatives that have increased the quality of life for low- and moderate-income Americans living in urban, suburban, and rural communities across the nation.” Living Cities’ goal is to create 10,000 living wage jobs by 2025 in Albuquerque through entrepreneurship and innovation to strengthen our economy, and provide jobs, economic mobility and empowerment.

To do this, Living Cities fosters a climate of innovation and entrepreneurship by bringing together over 150 local leaders and organizations to connect and amplify their resources. Results to date include better-connected resources, a more diverse and thriving economy and better data collection and analysis to inform future decision making.

Cross-sector partnerships like we highlighted during our 2017 Great Grant Giveaway—City Alive, Living Cities, or Healthy Neighborhoods Albuquerque, or Downtown Arts and Culture District, exemplifies the impact that can be created when government, business, not for profits and philanthropic organizations work together. The outcomes are greater than the sum of the parts – they are real and measurable. And they could not be achieved by one organization, business or group by itself. It takes the collective might of the groups working together to achieve them.

Addressing the complex challenges communities face today requires collective effort across and from all sectors: public, private and nonprofit. If you’d like more information about how you can become involved in a cross-sector partnership, or one of our current initiatives, please contact us.