Putting Strategy to Work

Nearly two years ago, the Oishei Foundation adopted a new strategic direction, informed by community data, partnerships,  and relationships. That direction called us to show up differently: to center racial equity, trust, and community voice in everything we do, and to focus our efforts where we could help shift systems and build toward lasting change.

Now, we’re putting that direction into action.

“We made a promise to listen to the community, and to change,” says Christina Orsi, President of the Foundation. “The framework is how we’re keeping that promise. It translates the direction into action and gives us a shared way of working across everything we do.”

This new strategic framework outlines seven interconnected areas of focus that reflect both what we believe in and how we intend to live it out: through our partnerships,our  investments in the community, , and our internal operations. These focus areas are the building blocks of a power-building approach—one that amplifies the strengths and leadership already present in the community, and supports those most proximate to true transformation. 

“The power we’re talking about already exists in the community,” says Pamela Ross, Leader of Community Impact at the Foundation. “Our job isn’t to build it—it’s to recognize it, honor it, and help remove the barriers that prevent it from being fully realized.”

Christina adds, “The framework centers the community. That’s who this work is for, and that’s who guides it. Our role as a foundation is to be in service of that.”

What's Next

For the Foundation, this work is not just a shift in strategy, it’s a deeper shift in mindset.

“We’ve always had strong relationships with partners,” Christina reflects. “What’s different now is that we’re approaching those relationships with a clearer sense of humility and going deeper into community to expand our partnerships. We’re not the experts. Our partners are.”

That perspective is changing how decisions are made, how relationships are built, and how the Foundation defines success.

Says Pamela, “We’re here to support strengths and assets in the community.”

And while the framework marks a milestone in Oishei’s evolution, it’s only a beginning.

“This is not just a one-time rollout,” Pamela emphasizes. “Our commitment is to institutionalize this work in our organization in perpetuity.”

“You’ll start to see this framework come to life in our investments, our partnerships, our governance, and the way we speak of the work,” Christina adds. “It will guide our actions, and it will evolve as we learn and grow from our experiences.”