We aim to learn from and contribute to experts in the field, to share local successes nationally, and to build bridges connecting communities doing similar work around the nation.

At Community Commons, we connect those driving change to the best tools, resources, data, and stories to support the work, and we are uniquely-positioned to share the ideas coming from these networks. Networks help organize and scale shared stewardship to advance well-being. Stewardship shows up in our work at Community Commons through existing and emerging national networks we participate in, with the goal of aligning thinking and approaches across organizations and communities. Improving communication between separate institutions, between departments within a single institution, and between institutions and community residents Remaking power structures to be more inclusive Helping health care systems shift resources to focus on whole-person community health Increasing investments in the vital conditions for well-being, like humane housing, meaningful work, and a thriving natural world, and decreasing reliance on urgent services Virtually anyone can be a steward of well-being, and anyone can help to grow the field of system stewardship by drawing others into the work.” They also share a few examples of how stewards act to help communities: No core curriculum exists, nor are certain advanced credentials needed to enter this field. Their published report shares, “There is no single entry point or established career path into this work. In late 2019, ReThink Health, an initiative of The Rippel Foundation, teamed up with the RAND Corporation to explore major trends that affect how selected stewards think and act. Our partners at The Rippel Foundation are leaders in researching stewardship and related concepts and they have piloted this work in communities around the U.S. Stewardship, especially shared stewardship that engages people, organizations, local communities, etc., in collaborative work, is a promising mechanism by which we can shift investments and systems to support thriving communities.

Most of us want equitable well-being for all, but making it happen is challenging. Stewardship is a core component of any work to advance equitable well-being-without stewards, there would be no one to actually do the work. We typically see stewardship having the greatest impact as a mechanism for shared responsibility and collective action when the work has expanded, aligned breadth and depth, and in turn, expanded reach and impact.Įxplore the resources below to learn more about stewardship. Importantly, stewards must have a vested interest in promoting an equity orientation in regard to purpose, power, and wealth.Įveryone can be a steward! Certainly, individuals can serve as stewards to advance community well-being, and stewardship is best accomplished when people work together across differences and sectors to expand the Vital Conditions that all people and places need to thrive, starting with those struggling and suffering. Stewardship is defined as “the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care.” When applied to our collective work to advance healthy, equitable, sustainable communities, it describes leaders-both people and organizations-who take responsibility for forming working relationships to drive transformative change in regions and communities.

Good stewardship definition