The work beneath the work : What coalitions need before strategy
At Raya Cooper Impact Consulting, we believe that effective collective impact requires more than good intentions—it requires strong partnerships, thoughtful facilitation, space to listen and reflect, and a willingness to understand the realities organizations face beneath the surface.
“In community work, there is often pressure to move quickly toward solutions. Yet sustainable change rarely happens when organizations are asked to build on unstable foundations. Trust, shared ownership, clarity of purpose, and realistic expectations are not side conversations—they are often the work itself.”
When we began working with SF Neighborhood Centers Together, a long-standing coalition in San Francisco, the initial request was familiar: develop a strategic plan that would help the network regain momentum and chart a path forward. Like many organizations navigating change, the coalition was seeking clarity, direction, and renewed energy for the future.
To meet that need, we knew the work could not rely on strategy alone ; it would require deep listening, thoughtful facilitation and a process to reconnect members to the purpose and a vision for the future. Recognizing that this work would require different perspectives and strengths, we partnered with Anchored Solutions Consulting and Convivio Learning Solutions to support the engagement. Anchored Solutions Consulting helped guide the coalition through questions about its future by listening deeply, understanding how members worked together, and translating what was heard into practical recommendations for structure, sustainability, and next steps. Convivio Learning Solutions brought its strength in adult learning and engagement by designing a retreat experience that helped members reflect, participate, and have meaningful conversations together. Together, the partnership helped the coalition move forward with greater clarity, alignment, and purpose.
What we discovered together was an important reminder: sometimes the challenge organizations face is not a lack of strategy—it is an absence of alignment around identity, purpose, and the structures needed to sustain the work.
As we listened to members, facilitated discussions, and observed how the network operated, it became clear that jumping directly into strategic planning would have skipped over critical foundational work. Before discussing future goals, the coalition needed space to reflect on where it had been, where it currently stood, and what would need to be true for it to move forward successfully.
This experience reinforced the importance of meeting organizations where they are rather than where we think they should be.
In community work, there is often pressure to move quickly toward solutions. Yet sustainable change rarely happens when organizations are asked to build on unstable foundations. Trust, shared ownership, clarity of purpose, and realistic expectations are not side conversations—they are often the work itself.
One of the most valuable outcomes of this engagement was helping shift the conversation from "What should we do next?" to "Who do we want to be moving forward?" That distinction created space for honest dialogue about governance, participation, accountability, sustainability, and the network's role within the broader shared community landscape.
The final deliverable ultimately evolved from a traditional Strategic Plan to a Developmental Reset Strategy—a roadmap designed not simply to create goals, but to help the coalition strengthen its foundation, clarify its identity, and build the capacity necessary for long-term sustainability and impact.
For both RCIC and Anchored Solutions Consulting, this work served as a powerful reminder that meaningful community change is built through relationships, trust, and a willingness to address underlying challenges before pursuing new opportunities.
Sometimes the most important work is not creating a new strategy, but creating the conditions that allow a strategy to succeed.
As organizations across the country continue to navigate leadership transitions, funding uncertainty, and evolving community needs, we hope this experience encourages leaders to pause long enough to ask not only where they are going—but what foundation is required to get there together.
We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with organizations committed to strengthening communities and equally grateful for partners like Anchored Solutions Consulting and Convivio Learning Solutions who bring both community insight and operational expertise to this work.