Business and Community Unite for Children

The Davis Foundation posed a powerful question: “What will it take for the whole city of Springfield, Massachusetts to come together around improving the lives of children?” What resulted was, according to Springfield Chamber of Commerce President Russ Denver, “The most carefully planned and well thought-out initiative around a social issue I’ve ever seen in Springfield.” IISC designed and facilitated a process involving nearly 1,000 people, causing a ripple effect of momentum and commitment among the city’s business and community organizations to focus on helping young children thrive. Throughout the process, IISC not only facilitated but trained local leaders to develop their capacity to sustain the effort.