Sponsored content contributed by AOC Business Partner: iSector
The Oregon iSector provides a platform for launching cross-sector partnerships to enable leaders in communities throughout the state to work together to address challenges and seize opportunities to build thriving communities.
Partnerships are not always easy. Each sector has different modes of operating, different timelines, different incentives, different constraints, etc. To help overcome these challenges, the Oregon iSector connects public, private, and civic partners, making it easier for them to work together to build a thriving Oregon.
Following are some iSector partnerships underway:
The Housing Innovation Partnership
We are home to the Housing Innovation Partnership (HIP), a collaborative of 35+ organizations from across sectors, formed in early 2022 with one shared goal: addressing Oregon’s housing needs. Over the past two years, the HIP has been conducting research and developing innovative approaches focused on incentives for middle housing financing, modular housing, and local capacity building. The 2023 legislative session allocated $20 million for a Workforce and Affordable Housing Loan Guarantee Fund, $5 million to support housing and community development capacity for local governments which we will now assist jurisdictions in accessing, and a $20 million allocation for a Modular Factory Incentive Fund which resulted in $5 million going to the following organizations: Blazer Industries Inc.; Intelifab, LLC; Pacific Wall Systems, Inc.; and Zaugg Timber Solutions, Inc.
Northwest Rural Investment Strategy
Last November, we worked with USDA Rural Development in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska to hold the Northwest Rural Investment Strategy Summit. The Summit’s purpose was to assist rural communities in seizing once-in-a-generation funding opportunities now available through federal legislation. The event brought together federal, state, philanthropic, impact funders, and technical assistance experts to discuss how to support community partnerships as they plan and develop their community infrastructure projects for the next decade.
Housing Assistance for Rural Communities
Most recently, we have begun work to assist rural communities, specifically those under 10,000 population, in planning for and developing much needed housing. As a part of this work, we will be establishing a Housing Production Readiness Assessment Dashboard that will help rural jurisdictions identify and tackle barriers to development, along with providing them with on-the-ground technical support. For example, we are working with the City of Sutherlin to find public and private partners who can assist in making a workforce housing project successful.
Our Services
Cross-sector partnerships have emerged as an important way for leaders to address complex social issues. Given the many challenges of working effectively across sectors, the Oregon iSector provides a variety of services to leaders. We provide government, philanthropic, private, and civic leaders with the following:
- Consultation – Strategic consultation and advice on tackling issues that call for cross-sector participation to achieve desired outcomes.
- Issue Assessment – Information gathering and analysis regarding a particular issue or opportunity; the potential for successful partnership is assessed; and recommendations are developed for whether and how to proceed.
- Broker/Intermediary Services – Assist leaders in all the steps needed to initiate a successful cross-sector partnership.
- Hosting – Provide the platform wherein the cross-sector partnership operates: leveraging the needed resources and guiding partners as they develop their strategic priorities and action plans.
- Advocacy – Drive needed action for the partnership to implement and achieve its goals.
Are you a leader interested in cross-sector partnerships? Let us know. We support leaders that want to address the following issues:
- Workforce Housing
- Rural Development
- Offsite Housing Construction (modular and mass timber construction)
- Adequate and Affordable Childcare
- Building an Inclusive Economy
- Forest Health and Restoration
- Revitalization of Underserved Communities
Contact Us
info@isector.org
isector.org