The Oikos Institute for Social Impact

The Oikos Institute for Social Impact, co-founded by Rev. Dr. Sidney S. Williams, Jr. and Reginald Blount exemplifies this modern intermediary model. Inspired by the legacy of leaders like Richard Allen, Oikos supports Black churches in addressing systemic inequities and fostering community transformation. In addition to providing technical assistance and advocacy, Oikos has established a loan fund to help churches and community organizations access the capital necessary for their initiatives. This loan fund was made possible through the foundational support of The Southern Reconstruction Fund, Napolean Wallace, and the Nathan Cummings Foundation. These partners share Oikos’ vision of equipping underserved communities with resources to create sustainable economic and social impact.

It was an amazing blessing for the Oikos Institute for Social Impact to partner with the Lake Institute on Faith and Giving to take 31 members of our Dallas Cohort through Lake Institute’s Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising (https://lnkd.in/gv-eVtdR). The participants left better equipped knowing the importance of Generosity, the spirituality of fundraising, the fundamentals of making the “Ask,” and so much more! Thank you Drs Carlos Perkins and Challis Bradford for your great leadership! So glad this partnership allows us to share this experience with all of our cohorts!

Dr. David Kresta, Translation Research Agent of Thriving at Duke Divinity, is the author of?Feeding the 5,000 Fishing Differently's? Case Study. The case study examines the work of faith-inspired leaders at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Morristown, New Jersey, and the Spring Street Community Development Corporation (CDC). The study outlines the adaptive reuse of the church kitchen and fellowship hall and highlights the challenges, strategies, and benefits associated with such projects. Oikos is dedicated to helping BIPOC anchor institutions replicate the work outlined in the case study of our flagship congregation. Read it here:?https://lnkd.in/dsvJyW8c ? #oikosinstituteforsocialimpact #oikosinstitute #economicmobility #socialimpact #socialjustice #socialjusticeadvocate #socialjusticeeducator #socialjusticeeducation #fishingdifferently #churchleadership #churchministry #blackchurchesbelike #blackchurch #HBCU #hbcu

The Oikos Institute for Social Impact teaches that Fishing Differently? means harnessing the power of your assets, including real estate, for communal transformation and economic mobility. The money will follow the mission! Hear from Co-founders, Rev. Dr. Reginald Blount and Rev. Dr. Sidney Williams, in this quick excerpt from a previous 'Cornerstones of Social Impact' webinar, 'Building Social Capital: Collaborating not Competing for Social Impact.' Full Webinar here: https://lnkd.in/eGZR3T2S PLEASE SUBSCRIBE! #oikosinstituteforsocialimpact #oikosinstitute #economicmobility #socialimpact #socialjustice #socialjusticeadvocate #socialjusticeeducator #socialjusticeeducation #fishingdifferently #churchleadership #churchministry #blackchurchesbelike #blackchurch #HBCU #hbcu

Grateful for the partnership between the Oikos Institute for Social Impact and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, made possible by Lilly Endowment’s Thriving Congregations Initiative, to launch our second cohort in Chicago. This cohort will work with Garrett Black Alums and DMin students in our Strategic Leadership for Black Congregations to harness the power of their assets to make greater social impact in their communities. Thankful to those able to make our interest meeting today!

We’re thrilled to be featured in Faith and Leadership’s article highlighting how faith communities collaborate effectively to address climate risks. ?? Our partners, Metropolitan AME Church and The Oikos Institute for Social Impact are actively working to reduce urban heat islands and flooding through the use of #SmartSurfaces. Their efforts are helping create cooler, safer neighborhoods, proving that community-driven solutions can make a significant difference in cities' resilience against climate change. This collaboration underscores the power of faith-based organizations in promoting environmental justice and enhancing community well-being. From installing permeable pavements to creating green spaces, these initiatives are not just about mitigating climate risks, but also about fostering equity and resilience where it's needed most. Read the full story to learn more about how our partners are transforming their communities and leading the way in climate risk mitigation:?https://lnkd.in/ea6EpZrz. #ClimateAction #UrbanResilience #EnvironmentalJustice #FaithInAction #CoolSurfaces

The Faith and Philanthropy Initiative moved another $3.2 million in general operating support this summer to 14 incredible organizations leading with spiritual imagination and rethinking the?role that faith & spirituality has in transforming our society.? This year’s grants brings a total of?$6.2?million dollars to an incredible cross-section of folks channeling deep spiritual wisdom to address their community’s greatest needs.?This?report is an amazing visual of who the first-year grants are and what they're bringing in their communities.? ? Acres of Ancestry, Boundless Freedom Project, Faith in Public Life, Faith Matters Network, Inner City Muslim Action Network, JAIA Youth, LiveFree/Empower, Native Organizers Alliance, Rise Up, Soulforce, Undivided and Winnemem Wintu (Sawalmem) all offer a contextual spiritual imagination within their communities. What a powerful cross-section of amazing work! ? It’s been a delight to work with the advisory group Jason Garrett, Rodney McKenzie, Jr., Jonathan VanAntwerpen, Donna Bransford, Canaan McCaslin, Rich Havard, Allison Harrington (she/her), Ben Davis, Christina Quattrocchi, Joshua Russell, Sarah Wade, Ona Winet moving these resources and gratitude for all of those contributing to the fund. ? Check out the inspiring report and visuals from Year 1’s cohort!