About RISE
RISE Northwest Ohio
PILOT PROGRAM
Founded in the spring of 2025 after six months of partnership exploration with Social Current, RISE Northwest Ohio was created in response to the persistent challenges facing the social sector in building sustainable infrastructure for the organizations and programs serving our region with the services they need and depend on.
RISE Northwest Ohio is sponsored by the Center for Community Impact, launched in partnership with Social Current, and fiscally sponsored by the Do Good Foundation. Guided by an Advisory Board (link to that page) of regional experts, RISE is piloting a National Social Sector Strengthening Movement – a bold, data-informed effort to test innovative strategies that make social sector-serving organizations stronger, more visible, and more impactful across Northwest Ohio.
Our work is inspired by the groundbreaking documentary UnCharitable, directed and produced by Stephen Gyllenhaal, which challenges the misconceptions that limit the effectiveness of nonprofits and argues for a reimagined approach to philanthropy, investment, and social change. The film and its national movement have become a rallying point for leaders seeking to unlock the full potential of the nonprofit sector.
Building on more than a decade of national thought leadership, RISE Northwest Ohio represents the next step in a growing movement.
RISE delivers education through a formal curriculum, creates space for conversation and collaboration, and is empowering the region’s social sector to lead the way toward a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable future.
RISE VISION
We will work collaboratively to develop, incubate, refine, and scale innovative strategies that address the most pressing issues faced by the social enterprise sector serving rural communities.
Our Outcome Goals
We will break the cycle of under-resourcing the infrastructure of social impact organizations. We will develop viable, field-tested, innovative barrier solutions ready to scale to other rural markets. Our work will generate field stories of tested innovations and publish case studies, toolkits and accessible curriculum.
WHAT RISE Northwest Ohio IS BUILDING
Community Impact Fund
A Community Impact Fund to activate new regional giving, attract national investment, and support unrestricted capital for community-led solutions.
Community Impact Alliance
An Infrastructure-Building Boot Camp to strengthen business acumen, full-cost funding strategies, and collaboration across the social sector.
Shared Services
A shared services ecosystem to reduce overhead, eliminate duplication, and amplify impact through collaboration.
Rural Innovation
A model of rural innovation rooted in community readiness, trust, and partnership that can be replicated in rural regions across the country.
Coordinated Collaboration
A space for leaders of all backgrounds to connect, learn and strategically address the barriers to sustainable infrastructure for the social sector.