The Columbus Way. The Collaborative Way.
This blog was written by Jazmin Herrera of the Community Foundation of Noble County and Stacy Helmuth of The Mind Trust, members of the 2024 Mutz Philanthropic Leadership Institute.
Rather than a mere recounting of each session, this blog will emphasize The Columbus Way and the valuable insights we gained during May’s Mutz Philanthropic Leadership Institute session.
At the heart of The Columbus Way is a profound belief in the power of collaboration.
This belief is not just theoretical but deeply embedded in the community's DNA. It is evident in the way each Columbus speaker radiated with pride in their history and highlighted the contributions of key stakeholders, including Columbus Industrialist and Philanthropist, J. Irwin Miller. The passion and storytelling present in every presentation was evident, underscoring the community's remarkable connectedness.
“Mr. Miller responded thoughtfully, lucidly, with a resounding vote for democracy. ‘Improvements must come from within,’ he said, ‘not from above.’ Miller’s response was a recognition that communities are too complex to be contained within a singular human imagination.” - Balthazar Korab, 1989
Korab highlights Miller’s vision of collaboration and unity perfectly. The journey of collaboration in Columbus traces back to pivotal moments such as the design and construction of the First Christian Church—an emblem of collective creativity and shared vision. This spirit of collaboration has endured and evolved, manifesting in initiatives like the education hub and the adaptive reuse of the mall into a community recreation center, both testaments to a commitment to holistic well-being and community empowerment. This is the Columbus way, the collaborative way.
We truly believe Mr. Miller would be proud of how his legacy has continued through The Columbus Way. His investment in making Columbus a habitable community has led to collective leadership to eradicate and dissolve challenges in the community and diversify the community. With a diversity index of 67%, Columbus stands as a beacon of inclusivity, attracting and embracing people from diverse backgrounds while nurturing a culture of mutual respect and understanding.
The success of The Columbus Way is not just measured in economic or infrastructural terms but in the profound impact it has on the lives of its residents. The focus on education, health, and opportunity reflects years of collaborative effort and strategic investment, making Columbus a vibrant hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and social progress.
Jack Hess Presenting to the Mutz 2024 Class
“The American systems, private and public, were designed for a world which no longer exists…Yet it is our normal preference to rehabilitate the damaged products of our systems, rather than to reform the systems themselves.” - J. Irwin Miller, 1970
Miller suggests that people tend to want to fix problems within a system instead of reforming the entire system itself. This tendency is due to the ease and speed of implementing quick fixes. However, such fixes are often temporary and do not address the underlying issues. To truly transform a system, it is necessary to transform the relationships within it. In philanthropy, relationship building is critical and is the first step to working toward change. As leaders in the community foundation and nonprofit sectors, it is our priority to carry out charitable intent while also combatting the pressing needs in the community.
One of the biggest takeaways from this session was the shift from wanting to solve challenges to identifying the root causes of inequalities and finding ways to dissolve them. Jack Hess, Executive Director at CivicLab, provided insights on dissolving rather than solving that resonated deeply. Thus, prompting us to reconsider the role of philanthropy and community development in catalyzing lasting change. This shift towards dissolution involves not just a change in mindset but a comprehensive reevaluation of strategies, structures, and relationships.
“Dissolution approaches a problem by redesigning the underlying system, shaping the conditions that caused the problem in the first place. “- Jack Hess
Today, philanthropy often focuses on addressing and not dissolving. As philanthropic leaders across the state, we can build upon the cross-sector collaboration framework that Hess shared focusing on four key shifts.
- A shift in mindset: Rather than simply addressing problems, communities need to shift towards dissolving them altogether, reflecting a deeper commitment to long-term solutions.
- A shift in scale: Efforts should be directed towards specific populations, such as homeless veterans, children, and families, emphasizing a more personalized and human-centric approach to support.
- A shift in collaboration: Collaboration requires a more structured and proactive model, with initiatives like coordinated entry, housing coordination, and regular integrated team meetings aimed at effectively addressing challenges and working towards solutions.
- A shift in data: Shift from taking a snapshot of information at one moment, such as the census, and move to keep an active list that helps constantly track progress. This way, you are aiming for a goal where the issue being addressed becomes rare, brief, or non-existent.
The common thread throughout the day—including insight from Mayor Mary Ferdon and leaders in the community and economic development space—was the importance of collaboration and relationship building while also acknowledging and identifying challenges. To achieve positive outcomes in our communities, it takes hard work, dedication, and strong collaboration, which can optimally result in a thriving and inclusive community.
As we reflect on The Columbus Way, we are reminded that the journey towards community transformation is not easy but collective—one that requires active participation, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to inclusivity and equity. The lessons we gleaned from The Columbus Way are applicable far beyond its geographical boundaries—they serve as a blueprint for collaborative community transformation.
To our fellow philanthropists, community leaders, and changemakers, we extend an invitation to embrace The Columbus Way—not merely as a model to be replicated but as a philosophy to be embodied. Let us forge partnerships, foster inclusivity, and dissolve barriers together, paving the way for thriving, inclusive communities where every voice is heard, and every individual has the opportunity to thrive.
