A successful cohort:

• is a group of individuals committed to working side-by-side toward the urgent goal of ending poverty in five years or less.

• gives you support, ideas, and accountability to help you reach your goals.

Form a cohort/join a cohort

• See if an existing cohort will help your efforts or work with SHP to form one that will.

• Here are examples of possible cohorts:

  • Sector: Work with others in your industry or field

    • i.e., businesses, faith communities, healthcare companies, civic associations, non-profits, philanthropic organizations, media & journalism, schools, financial institutions, commercial and residential development, government, and individuals & families.

  • Area: Connect with others focused on the same areas of poverty.

    • i.e., housing, food and water, transportation, childcare, education, employment, financial savings, safety and violence, and healthcare.

  • Place: Collaborate with neighbors, groups, and civic leaders in the same town or community.

Effective cohorts are characterized by

1. Clear goals

   • Members aligned on the shared purpose of ending poverty in five years or less

2. An understanding of the community’s needs

   • Ground your work in the realities of your community. Use partner insights and on-the-ground observations to understand what families need and where solutions should be focused.

     • On-the-ground insights can include spending time in neighborhoods and listening to residents.

     • Research what individuals and groups in the community are doing and assess their effectiveness.

3. Members sharing an equal commitment to outcomes and accountability

   • Use benchmarks and measurements to assess effectiveness

   • Schedule meetings and webinars to connect on what has and has not worked for them

4. Expand upon ideas and actions of the cohort by bringing in new members