Root Cause Celebrates 20 Years

This year, Root Cause is celebrating 20 years of social impact. Since 2004, we’ve helped over 400 nonprofits, public agencies, schools, hospitals, and foundations achieve their goals while advancing racial and economic equity and justice. To celebrate, we’ve launched a social media campaign highlighting some of Root Cause’s projects and partners over the past 20 years. Take a look at them below!

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“Happy 20th Anniversary! I feel such pride in seeing how Root Cause continues to grow and evolve, always prioritizing people, partnership, and purpose.”
- Julie Zack, former Root Cause Staff

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“Hi Root Cause! I can't believe it's your 20 year anniversary. I worked with InnerCity Entrepreneurs (later Interise) when it was part of RC. I so enjoyed working closely with a group of smart, dedicated, and friendly colleagues. It was a wonderful opportunity for a recent college grad. I'm looking forward to watching the organization continue to thrive in the coming decades!”
- Jeff Kessner (2007-2008)

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“I had so many opportunities to try out different areas of focus at Root Cause, and to collaborate with amazing people working on many social issues. Congratulations on 20 years, what a milestone! - Jessica Bloom Galen (2007-2010)

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“Root Cause was my first foray into the social sector after graduating college, and gave me incredible exposure to a range of organizations working on important social issues across the country. To this day, I value being a part of many conversations with nonprofit and foundation leaders where they shared their strategic and organizational challenges, and what was keeping them up at night. – Liz Cipparone (2011-2016)

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“The project revolved around long-term strategic planning for the HOPE initiative, as a means by which to ensure intentionality as we build out the program. The outcome led to a robust Theory of Change-inspired report that laid out a foundation for how we would do what we do moving forward. Happy birthday RC! We are so thankful for your ability to uplift voices, ask difficult questions, and be such consistent and compassionate thought partners throughout this journey.” - Evans Erilus, Bunker Hill Community College

20 Project Highlights for 20 years

1. Irving Harris Foundation Strategic Plan to Launch Diversity-Informed Tenets

2. Creating access to high-quality STEM experiences for more girls in more communities

3. Campaign for Black Male Achievement: Strategy for Building a National Movement

4. Strategic Planning for the HOPE Initiative at Bunker Hill Community College

5. Strategic Planning to Grow the Impact of the Tillotson Fund

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6. Building Community Wealth in Springfield, Massachusetts

7. Community Mapping and Engagement for Healthy Aging in Washtenaw County, MI

8. Designing the Next Phase of a College, Career, and Life Readiness Partnership Coordination at Boston Public Schools

9.Providing technical assistance to MA Department of Public Health-funded organizations to support healthy relationships

10. Customized Capacity Building and Technical Assistance for State Street Foundation Grantees

11. Ready for School, Ready for Life: Continuous Quality Improvement for Kindergarten Readiness

12. Addressing racial inequities and health disparities in birth outcomes through Collective Action in North Carolina

13. Zero to Three Facilitation and Convening

14. The Biogen STAR Initiative in Cambridge and Somerville

15. Boston WINS (Workforce Investment Network)

16. Massachusetts Housing & Shelter Alliance: Pay for Success Coaching

17. HOPE (Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences) Framework Performance Measurement & Evaluation

18. Increasing economic opportunity for returning citizens through small business growth

19. Building Collective Action in Rhode Island

20. Youth Violence Prevention Funder Learning Collaborative

See more projects

Thank you to all of our current and former staff, board and partners over the past 20 years. We wouldn’t be who we are without you.

Slide

“Happy 20th Anniversary! I feel such pride in seeing how Root Cause continues to grow and evolve, always prioritizing people, partnership, and purpose.”
- Julie Zack, former Root Cause Staff

Slide

“Hi Root Cause! I can't believe it's your 20 year anniversary. I worked with InnerCity Entrepreneurs (later Interise) when it was part of RC. I so enjoyed working closely with a group of smart, dedicated, and friendly colleagues. It was a wonderful opportunity for a recent college grad. I'm looking forward to watching the organization continue to thrive in the coming decades!”
- Jeff Kessner (2007-2008)

Slide

“I had so many opportunities to try out different areas of focus at Root Cause, and to collaborate with amazing people working on many social issues. Congratulations on 20 years, what a milestone! - Jessica Bloom Galen (2007-2010)

Slide

“Root Cause was my first foray into the social sector after graduating college, and gave me incredible exposure to a range of organizations working on important social issues across the country. To this day, I value being a part of many conversations with nonprofit and foundation leaders where they shared their strategic and organizational challenges, and what was keeping them up at night. – Liz Cipparone (2011-2016)

Slide

“The project revolved around long-term strategic planning for the HOPE initiative, as a means by which to ensure intentionality as we build out the program. The outcome led to a robust Theory of Change-inspired report that laid out a foundation for how we would do what we do moving forward. Happy birthday RC! We are so thankful for your ability to uplift voices, ask difficult questions, and be such consistent and compassionate thought partners throughout this journey.” - Evans Erilus, Bunker Hill Community College