Over 45 years of supporting pathways to prosperity for and with communities nationwide.
We envision a world in which all families and communities are stable and thriving.
USI is a national nonprofit providing a comprehensive portfolio of technical assistance, data-driven tools and resources across multiple sectors to families and communities across the U.S.
We focus on five core areas:
- Family & Housing Stability
- Education & Careers
- Economic Contribution
- Health & Wellness
- Community Partnerships
IMPACT HIGHLIGHTS BY THE NUMBERS
A snapshot of our impact in communities across the US.
63
Communities served
1000+
Partners: financial institutions, schools, housing developers, health providers and more
$3B+
Secured in investment for neighborhood improvements and development
200+
Passionate employees across the US
BY THE NUMBERS
A snapshot of our impact in communities across the US.
63
Communities served
1000+
Partners: financial institutions, schools, housing developers, health providers and more
$3B+
Secured in investment for neighborhood improvements and development
200+
Passionate employees across the US
OUR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
We co-develop results-based actionable plans for revitalization and economic growth for communities seeking to prosper across the country
USI’s mission is that all children and families will be stable and thriving. It will take all of us to achieve that mission. We have over 45 years of experience leading cross-sector collaborations improving the lives of individuals and families, transforming communities and closing the racial wealth divide. USI is also an official Annie E. Casey Foundation Results Count® Hub Organization. We don’t just teach this framework; we use it to make a measurable difference across the United States (and in two territories). We are holding this moment with both urgency and intentionality. The need for bold action is urgent. The time for intentionality is now.
At USI we provide technical assistance that delivers on both. If you are a leader and/or an organization who wants to sharpen your skills, invigorate purposeful action, and drive results, let’s connect! Below are just some of the ways we can help.
Schedule a consultation session today.
Explore, Envision and Evolve
A critical component of leadership is the capacity to be reflective about yourself, your roles, and the context in which you lead.
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During this session, you will use Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: (MBTI) to understand more about yourself as a person and leader within the system where you work. In addition, you’ll utilize the Bridges Transition Model to tap into the wisdom of where your organization has been, get clear on where you want to go and chart the course to get there. What will you gain? What will you have to give up? What difference will it make? Let’s take this journey together. This session is perfect for organizations experiencing transition.
Built Through Adversity
One of the benefits of being built through adversity is that to you, challenge, is just a regular Tuesday. The skills that grow from adversity can’t be learned in a boardroom.
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However, the same skills that have allowed you to survive might also be blocking you from fully leaning into all your leadership gifts. Get ready to meet your past, present and future selves all in one place. This session is designed for leaders who are ready to step out of their comfort zone and step into their authenticity. Who are you really? We can’t wait to find out.
Facilitating Necessary Conversations
Ever been in a meeting where everyone knows what the problem is but no one will name it? Worse yet, the person who finally speaks up is treated as though they are the problem.
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Nothing stops collaboration in its tracks faster than the conversations that people avoid. Difficult conversations aren’t fun, but they are necessary. In this session leaders will gain insight into their own relationship with conflict, while strengthening their skills to work through the beliefs, values, personality preferences that so often impede progress. If you don’t love conflict, you probably still won’t at the end of this session. But you’ll walk away more prepared to work through it the next time it shows up.
HA/HA: Collaborative Leadership is No Joke!
No one organization can achieve population level results alone. Moving real results requires multi-sectoral collaboration around a shared goal and then working in lockstep to get there.
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At USI we call this working in High Action and High Alignment (HA/HA). You will learn how to name and work through political and adaptive challenges that derail partnership and learn to use the Theory of Aligned Contributions to make a measurable difference for the populations you serve.
Leading for Results
Forming a group is one thing, getting that group to work toward a shared goal is another. Let us support your team in identifying a common result to serve as a North Star for powerful action.
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Your team will develop indicators of success and leave with tools to develop a commonsense data agenda. Your team, organization or collaborative leave prepared to measure what you treasure and track your progress to your goals.
Getting to All
Data doesn’t lie. Racial disparities persist in every single social determinant of health. We can’t keep throwing programmatic solutions at systemic problems and expecting a different result.
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In this session we’ll talk about race, place, class and histories of oppression. You’ll also learn how to get to root causes where you can leverage your positional and relational power (your whole self) to get to all. All children have food. All people are stably housed. Every person thrives. Whatever matters to you, our data-driven approach can support you in developing a set of strategies to get you there.
Failing Forward
What does it mean to fail forward? At USI we believe that failure is just a starting point for innovation.
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In this session, leaders will learn how to use a rapid cycle quality improvement tool to test a hypothesis, measure progress, adjust strategies and repeat. This session is great for getting groups out of stuckness!
Delivering Results
This multiple day session will support your team, organization, or collaborative in creating a North Star, clarifying individual and organizational contributions, identifying indicators of success, exploring root causes and developing strategies.
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You’ll walk away with everything you need to move from thinking about results to achieving them. This session is designed to be three days in length but can be tailored to meet your organizational needs.
Consultation
If you’re not sure what you need but are interested in growing your own leadership, the leadership of others in your organization, learning to use data, learning to fail forward, improving organizational effectiveness, building collaboration, or moving from talk to action on an idea or initiative, let’s talk. We are ready to design a consultation plan that helps leaders and organizations achieve their goals.
Facilitation
Our facilitation team can support you in design, agenda development and/or facilitation of your next leadership meeting, training or conference. Schedule a consult today.
Access funds to start and grow a business.
As a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), we strive to remove obstacles, create opportunities and promote conditions for self-sustaining businesses that can power a community’s economy.
We know there’s more to an emerging entrepreneur’s story than what’s on paper, which is why we look at everything brought to the table (not just credit scores) before we decide to lend.
SINCE 2019, Our CDFI fund has:
- Created 3,820 jobs
- Preserved 1,535 units
- Added 730 new homes
- Revolved our lending capital 4x over with 100% ROI in support of entrepreneurs.
- Deployed $20,000,000 dollars over 4 years across 10 markets
SUPPORT OUR WORK
Invest in our work to improve the lives of youth, families and communities across the US
At Urban Strategies, Inc. (USI), we are passionate about creating opportunities for children and families to live stable, productive and prosperous lives.
Your donation allows us to provide critical support and tools, from housing and technical assistance to education and workforce development programs. Together we can give families an opportunity to define their futures and contribute to society.
Stabilizing and improving systems for children, families, and communities.
Central Corporate Office • 100 N. Broadway, Suite 1110 • St. Louis, Missouri 63102
Phone: 314-421-4200 • Fax: 314-279-0067 • Email: info@usi-inc.org
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