Rural communities face challenges that can feel overwhelming—competing interests, limited resources, alleged opportunities mired in complexity, and stakeholders with different priorities.

But what if those dynamics could be used to identify critical points of action where the right input would make big outcomes possible?

Through decades of working in rural Colorado we've shown that there are ways that even small communities and local organizations can create real impact - facilitating positive change, stewarding beneficial projects and finding success. Just as a fulcrum can be used to move a massive weight - with thoughtful placement and precise action, every challenge has leverage points where elements and dynamics converge - and where small, strategic actions create meaningful and lasting impact.

Our job is finding those points and helping you apply the right pressure precisely where it matters most.

Meaningful change happens by securing community strengths and hidden assets, collaborative leadership that builds bridges and develops solutions, and purposeful activity that builds into self-sustaining momentum. 

We do this using a deep relationship approach - through careful listening, community visioning, and precise and directed action - and offer the following services to carefully selected projects with mission and strategy alignment:

Strategic Communications becomes the art of matching message with opportunities for impact, to secure issue footing and credibility, and to apply just the right pressure, from the right place at the right time for best effect. 

Grantwriting becomes collaborative storytelling, where community vision, available resources, and funder priorities align around that common opportunity in ways that serve the broader mission.

Project Development becomes purposeful and shared, identifying leverage points and building foundations to make those leverage points most effective.

Rural communities don't need fixing from the outside or to be directed by external forces. They need to be invited as leaders for input into projects that impact them, and to cultivate conditions where their wisdom and existing assets can be leveraged for greater impact and purposeful outcomes. 

The most effective strategies often emerge not from trying to control complex systems, but from understanding these dynamics and patterns and using those forces to shape further action.

In addition to our primary offerings, we also offer tailored services to meet unique needs and for innovative partnerships. Inquiries welcome.