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SHARED IMPACT
We believe that the most meaningful change happens when people and organizations come together around shared goals—and are supported by the right structure, resources, and relationships to turn vision into action.
Our Collaboration Portfolios are how we support that process.
What Are Collaboration Portfolios?
Each portfolio is a focused, multi-partner initiative designed to address a specific challenge or opportunity in our bioregion. These portfolios bring together diverse stakeholders—nonprofits, businesses, land stewards, institutions, creatives, and more—who are aligned in purpose but often working in isolation.
By creating intentional containers for collaboration, we help groups move from siloed efforts to unified, higher-impact action.
How It Works
We don’t just bring people into the room—we guide a proven process that helps turn individual efforts into coordinated, high-impact movements:
Our Process
A 4-Phase Journey from Idea to Impact
We guide each emerging portfolio through a structured, collaborative journey that helps groups move from early exploration to actionable, aligned solutions.
Discovery & Relationship Building
We begin by identifying key stakeholders and facilitating one-on-one discovery sessions to understand their goals, challenges, and existing efforts. We map these conversations to uncover areas of overlap, shared vision, and untapped opportunity.
Portfolio Formation
With trust and alignment in place, we support each group in creating a portfolio strategy. This includes defining roles, refining messaging, identifying target outcomes, outlining funding needs, and developing a roadmap grounded in the 4 Returns Framework (Inspiration, Social Well-being, Ecology, and Financial Flow).
Visioning & Alignment
We bring aligned partners into facilitated sessions designed to build trust and develop a collective vision. We identify core values, mutual goals, and shared language—laying the groundwork for powerful collaboration.
Ongoing Support & Amplification
Once the portfolio is ready for impact, we help amplify its message and secure the resources needed to grow. We connect partners to aligned funding opportunities, create compelling media assets, and guide public engagement strategies to gain broader traction and support.
What We’re Hearing—and Doing
In the six months following Hurricane Helene—which destroyed an estimated 40% of Buncombe County’s trees—we’ve engaged in a region-wide outreach and mapping effort. By meeting with hundreds of leaders across environmental, economic, and civic sectors, a powerful theme has emerged:
Our region is ready for a more unified, collaborative approach to resilience.
From this work, the first emerging portfolio now taking root is focused on our forests and outdoor commons—a response to escalating wildfire threats and the urgent need for innovative, high-impact solutions that protect both people and ecosystems while allowing the outdoor economy to thrive.
EMERGING PORTFOLIO
Outdoor Commons
The Outdoor Commons portfolio is an emerging collaboration between organizations and individuals exploring how to create a healthier, more equitable outdoor commons. Initial conversations are underway with potential partners across forest stewardship, water restoration, education, tourism and the outdoor recreation economy.
As this portfolio continues to evolve, it aims to address goals such as:
Forest Restoration
Rebuilding healthy ecosystems through habitat renewal and wildfire risk reduction.
Water & Soil Vitality
Improving the health of our region’s waterways and soils through sustainable land practices, erosion control, and regenerative agriculture that supports long-term ecological balance.
Outdoor Economy
Strengthening the region’s outdoor recreation and tourism economy by building partnerships that invest in the health of the natural spaces they rely on.
Innovative Regeneration
Exploring biochar production and forest farming as scalable, climate-smart solutions.
Let’s Build the Next Portfolio Together
Do you have a bold idea or a community challenge that could benefit from cross-sector collaboration? Whether you're a nonprofit, business, land steward, or agency—we’d love to hear from you.
Together, we can create something greater than the sum of its parts.