CLIENT
Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo
The John R. Oishei Foundation
LOCATION
Western New York Region
DATE
2023
CONSULTANT PARTNERS
Deepali McCloe; Marigold Consulting Co.
In 2023, the U.S. Economic Development Agency opened a pilot funding opportunity to invest in economically distressed communities to create and connect people to good jobs. The program’s intent was to create renewed economic opportunity in communities that have for too long been forgotten. To do so, the program targeted areas where prime-age (25-54 years) employment significantly trails the national average, with the goal to close this gap through large, flexible investments.
The Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo (CFGB) and the John R. Oishei Foundations partnered to bring together a coalition of organizations from across the Buffalo and WNY areas to apply for this significant pilot funding opportunity. With limited time and over 30 organizational partners and voices, the team looked to an external facilitator to help guide a shared vision for the coalition. Saira Creative Consulting, in partnership with Marigold Consulting, worked with the coalition to keep meetings moving forward, design interactive meeting activities, build coalition buy-in, and craft a shared strategy for this significant funding opportunity.
We appreciated Saira and Deepali’s ability to enter the space with ease, in a thoughtful and strategic manner. They were flexible, available, and accommodating. They also demonstrated excellent facilitation and engagement techniques on complex topics with the group.
Esther Annan, The John R. Oishei Foundation