Establishing a Citywide Children’s Cabinet in Rochester
The City of Rochester, FUSE, and ROC the Future are working together to turn strong but informal collaboration into a formal structure for shared decision-making. ROC the Future, a mature cradle-to-career backbone organization, convenes more than 30 cross-sector partners around milestones like kindergarten readiness, third-grade reading, and high school graduation,... Read more
Expanding Equity and Excellence Across the DEP Meter-to-Cash Customer Experience
The City of New York and FUSE are continuing a partnership that began in 2024, when a FUSE Fellow helped the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) build a customer relationship management framework and initial project management tools. DEP manages the city's water supply, stormwater, and pollution control systems and is... Read more
Making Boston a Home for Every Child
Boston and FUSE are coordinating citywide efforts to ensure that every child can learn, play, and thrive in connected neighborhoods that support families. Families in Boston want schools, housing, parks, and health services to collaborate in ways that are easily accessible and responsive to community needs. The Mayor’s Office of... Read more
Expanding Access to Capital for Small Businesses
The City of Baltimore is working to expand access to capital for small businesses, with a focus on historically underserved communities, to address longstanding funding challenges and promote sustainable economic growth. FUSE Executive Fellow Lolita Jackmon will develop strategic recommendations to improve financial accessibility, strengthen partnerships with lenders, and design... Read more
Expanding Affordable Housing Supply for First-Time Homebuyers
The City of Philadelphia is working to expand comprehensive first-time homeownership opportunities and increase housing supply through multiple innovative housing programs, such as the Turn the Key Neighborhoods Program, which transforms vacant, city-owned lots into affordable homes. FUSE Executive Fellow Christine Behr will collaborate with a team of content experts... Read more
Pursuing Restorative Justice through Housing
Boston’s Mayor’s Office of Housing is working to close the wealth gap through multiple strategies, including creating and preserving affordable housing, supporting homeowners and renters, providing housing services to homeless individuals, and developing city-owned property. The City has adopted several approaches to help low and moderate-income families become homeowners, including... Read more
Sparking Community-Led Investments in Under-invested Neighborhoods
Boston's Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion is exploring innovative approaches to catalyze investment in underserved areas, with a focus on preventing displacement and creating economic opportunity. FUSE Executive Fellow Brittany Hume Charm will develop deep relationships with diverse stakeholders, including city partners, local business owners, corporate and finance leaders,... Read more
Expanding Homeownership Resources to Equitably Build Generational Wealth
Baltimore’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is working to overcome the legacy of past housing policies and ongoing housing challenges that have left marginalized communities with limited pathways to property ownership. FUSE Executive Fellow Dalmar James, Jr. will design and implement a homeownership coaching strategy for underserved communities,... Read more
Optimizing Project Management Design and a Culture of Continuous Improvement to Enhance Climate Resilience
New York City's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is responsible for managing the city's water supply, stormwater systems, and pollution control infrastructure to create a more climate-resilient future. As climate change threats intensify and the department continues to grow, DEP is seeking to improve internal operations, enhance project efficiency, and... Read more
Strengthening Immigrant and Historically Disadvantaged Small Business Ownership and Generational Wealth-Building
Philadelphia’s immigrant-owned small businesses play a crucial role in the city’s economy, accounting for over a third of businesses in commercial corridors. Despite their economic significance, these business owners face substantial barriers to building long-term wealth, including limited access to business succession planning resources and challenges in acquiring the commercial... Read more