Building the capacity of organizations, including our own, and systems to engage community members in decision making and leadership to foster healthier communities.
Ongoing health disparities in Central Texas are rooted in a long history of marginalization and structural inequality that continue to shape people’s lives today. To address these disparities, organizations and systems need to build their capacity to meaningfully engage community members in decision-making and leadership.
Elevating community voice and representation is not only a matter of equity—it is essential to creating lasting, generational change. When communities are actively involved in shaping the policies and programs that affect them, we move closer to a healthier, more equitable Central Texas.
Driving Impact
By 2030, St. David’s Foundation seeks to increase the number of organizations and local governments that meaningfully engage community members in decision making and leadership. This shift will help ensure that communities are not only heard but also have power and access to resources to shape a healthier future.
Approach
St. David’s Foundation’s approach centers on developing capacity and catalyzing communities to ensure that community voice is heard and meaningfully influences institutional decision-making.
We will invest in:
- Organizational capacity to effectively engage community members and advocate for change at the sector and systems level
- Efforts that build connections between grassroots leaders within Health Equity Zones and local organizations and governments
Together, these investments aim to foster healthier, more equitable communities across Central Texas by helping organizations and systems shift power and ensuring all voices are heard.
