Priority Area
Community & Economic Development
Project List
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A Call to Action for Investments, Communications Support - More
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Action Youth Media Programming Evaluation and Capacity Building via the Development of Evaluation Framework, Plan, and Tools - More
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Analysis of NeighborWorks America’s Network Members - More
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Baltimore New American Access Coalition - More
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“Creating the Right Business Strategy,” Montgomery County, MD Black Collective’s “Business Essentials” Video Series for Aspiring Small Business Owners - More
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Development of Data Framework and Evaluation Plan for Restaurant & Hospitality Apprenticeship Management Pathways Program - More
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Development of Informational Video and Webinar of Human Resource Food & Hospitality Industry Toolkit Focused on the Development of Successful Diverse Teams and Leadership - More
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Development of McElderry Park, Baltimore City Neighborhood Homeownership Plan - More
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Development of Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Framework and Analysis of Small and Midsized City (SMC) Hub Program - More
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Development of Successful Diverse Teams and Leadership in the Food and Hospitality Industry Toolkit - More​
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Foodservice and Hospitality Webinar Series - More
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Exploration of Grantee Portfolio for Debt Reduction Initiatives - More
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Housing and Returning Citizen Provider Convening to Facilitate Advancements in Affordable Housing Access Among Individuals with Justice System Contact - More
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Housing as a Pathway to Justice: Baltimore City and District of Columbia Landscape Assessment - More
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Making Restaurant & Hospitality Apprenticeship Management Pathway Curriculum Accessible to Limited English Proficient (LEP) Employees - More
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Montgomery County, MD Office of Food Systems Resilience - Grant Deployment & Program Service Supports - More
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National Women’s Law Center’s Participatory Grantmaking and Community Impact Fund Evaluation and Technical Assistance - More
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Program Evaluation & Consultation for Black Sage Collective Underground Railroad Community Project - More
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​Purple Line Corridor Coalition - Sustainability Consulting for Programming to Ameliorate Negative Impacts of Transit-Oriented Development Processes - More
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Securing Affordable Housing Green/Climate Financing Capital - More
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​​​​Study on Member Selection for Montgomery County Citizen Commissions, Committees, and Boards - More
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Project: A Call to Action for Investments, Communications Support
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Client: Reinvestment Fund
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Description: Developed and implemented a communications plan to promote the release of a Reinvestment Fund commissioned report produced by Brookings Metro, “A Call to Action for HBCU Investment,” to encourage investment in HBCUs as anchor educational, economic, and community development institutions and increase awareness of the Reinvestment Fund’s HBCU capacity building efforts.
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Project: Action Youth Media Programming Evaluation and Capacity Building via the Development of Evaluation Framework, Plan, and Tools
Client: Action Youth Media
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Description: Contracted by Action Youth Media, a nonprofit entity that provides courses to middle and high school aged youth to help them learn how to engage in their community via media arts. Youth are taught media arts skills, research and analysis, and are provided with opportunities to find their voice and build their confidence. Arcstratta conducted an impact evaluation of their programming; developed a data & evaluation framework, plan, and evaluation tools; and strengthened their program narrative/pitch to support their sustainability. Findings, tools, and recommendations were presented to staff for their immediate application.
Project: Analysis of NeighborWorks America’s Network Members (Community Development Financial Institutions and Community Development Corporations)
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Client: NeighborWorks America
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Description: Analyzed NeighborWorks America’s Community Development Corporation (CDC), Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Network members’, with up to $785M in assets, business model changes, opportunities, partnerships, and racial equity, diversity, and inclusion capacity building efforts. Analysis included review of members’ small business development, lending (mortgage and small business), workforce development, affordable housing, shared equity, climate resilience and adaptation, and social programming throughout the United States. Compiled key findings and informed existing data collection and previously used analysis strategies.
Project: Apprenticeship Federal Proposal Development
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Client: Onramp
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Description: A national technology apprenticeship program designer and recruiter. Provided support with proposal development for federal funding to expand high-quality apprenticeship programs to increase economic opportunity to workers, deliver the skilled workforce employers need, and diversify the workforce.
Project: Baltimore New American Access Coalition
Client: Baltimore City Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs
​Description: Oversaw implementation of the program and pertinent infrastructure, including the development of grant agreements, capacity building and evaluation framework for a coalition of providers tasked with accessing and connecting the city's immigrant and refugee families with benefits (food, housing, health, utilities, etc) via case management to facilitate their integration and financial stability. ​
Project: “Creating the Right Business Strategy” Montgomery County, MD Black Collective’s “Business Essentials” Video Series for Aspiring Small Business Owners
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Client: Montgomery County Black Collective
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Description: Collaborated with the Montgomery County Black Collective in the development of a video focused on crafting the right business strategy when launching a business. The video was part of a series of videos for aspiring business owners of color. ​​
Project: Development of Data Framework and Evaluation Plan for Restaurant & Hospitality Apprenticeship Management Pathways Program
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Client: NRAEF
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Description: Developed a data framework for the NRAEF’s innovative Restaurant & Hospitality Apprenticeship pathways program to assess participant needs, program processes, and impact. The program provides employees with the necessary certifications and training to advance to management level positions in the industry. Developed a logic model, data framework and data collection plan, and recommendations for implementation of processes and tools to assess program, its impact, and continued learning.​
Project: Development of Informational Video and Webinar of Human Resource Food & Hospitality Industry Toolkit Focused on the Development of Successful Diverse Teams and Leadership
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Client: NRAEF
Description: Developed a video to explain and increase the accessibility and use of a human resources toolkit for small and/or minority-owned restaurant and hospitality businesses engaged in the Foundation’s innovative apprenticeship pathways into management program. Developed and conducted a webinar in collaboration with NRAEF to promote and introduce the toolkit to the Foundation’s business members. The toolkit was commissioned by NRAEF and developed by Arcstratta to provide guidance regarding the development of diverse teams and leadership for greater business success.
Project: Development of McElderry Park, Baltimore City Neighborhood Homeownership Plan
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Client: Southeast Community Development Corporation (SECDC)
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Description: A 50-year-old Community Development Corporation in Baltimore City that drives and facilitates investments and the engagement of community members in housing and infrastructure initiatives and provides social, educational, small business development, and workforce supports to residents. We were contracted to support a needs assessment designed to inform community members’ efforts to develop a neighborhood-based homeownership plan. Conducted qualitative interviews with residents and analyzed quantitative data collected via survey by community members to produce homeownership development plan for a Baltimore City neighborhood with a history of disinvestment and a subsequent low homeownership rate, particularly among its legacy residents. Drafted a report summarizing interview findings and provided an analysis of community-administered survey data. Facilitated session with neighborhood resident leaders to inform them of the findings and solicit feedback.
Project: Development of Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Framework and Analysis of Small and Midsized City (SMC) Hub Program Data
Client: New Growth Innovation Network (NGIN)
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Description: A national nonprofit tasked with advancing inclusive economies in cities and regions across the United States. Developed a monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) framework, analyzed program data, and produced MEL guidance and recommendations for national entity’s Small and Midsized City (SMC) Hub program, which shares knowledge, insights, and innovation in economic development among practitioners in the small business development, lending, workforce development, housing, and financial capability space across the country to drive inclusive economic development, advance equity, and reduce health disparities. Analyzed quantitative and qualitative data to assess existing participant base, needs, engagement, and impact; gaps in existing data collection and analysis; and identify next steps to advance the assessment of impact, learning processes, and program design.
Project: Development of Successful Diverse Teams and Leadership in the Food and Hospitality Industry Toolkit
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Client: NRAEF
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Description: Created toolkit in English and Spanish that provides guidance and tools pertaining to recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and retention of diverse applicants, employees, and leadership within the food and hospitality industry. Toolkit was developed for small food and hospitality businesses participating in the Foundation’s innovative apprenticeship program that includes a pathway for apprentices and other employees into management positions.
Project: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Foodservice and Hospitality Webinar Series
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Client: Multicultural Foodservice and Hospitality Alliance (MFHA), NRAEF
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Description: Training partner in the design and delivery of a webinar series for restaurant apprenticeship managers to increase knowledge and skills related to integrating diversity, equity and inclusion strategies in the workplace culture to improve communication, belonging, job satisfaction, effectiveness, and retention. Support included online marketing and registration information, interactive training presentations and supporting materials, post-training educational resources, and evaluation forms.
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Project: Exploration of Grantee Portfolio for Debt Reduction Initiatives
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Client: Annie E. Casey Foundation
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Description: Assessed the Foundation’s existing consumer debt reduction initiative via a scan that included key informant interviews and a literature review of common debt types and the use and impact of debt among young adults.
Project: Housing and Returning Citizen Provider Convening to Facilitate Advancements in Affordable Housing Access Among Individuals with Justice System Contact
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Client: Enterprise Community Partners
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Description: A leading national economic development nonprofit that has invested over $72 billion in community and economic development across the United States. We designed in-person convening, tools, and materials in collaboration with Enterprise Community Partners to facilitate session with housing and returning citizen providers committed to improving access to housing among individuals with justice system contact in Washington, DC and Baltimore City, MD. Session and event evaluations were analyzed and summarized to identify lessons learned, partnership opportunities, and continued priorities, support needs, and areas of interest.
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Project: Housing as a Pathway to Justice: Baltimore City and District of Columbia Landscape Assessment
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Client: Enterprise Community Partners
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Description: Conducted landscape assessments to assess the intersection between housing and the legal system reform in Baltimore, MD, and Washington, DC. Assessment included a mixed method quantitative and qualitative analysis to strengthen internal policies and advocacy efforts. Analysis was designed to deepen understanding of internal and external policies, best practices, existing service infrastructure, innovative programs and services, resources, and collaborative efforts in Baltimore, MD, and Washington, DC pertaining to closing gaps in housing needs among individuals with justice system contact. Services included literature reviews; listening sessions with legal system reform stakeholders, housing and service providers, individuals with lived experience, policy and legal experts, funders, and local government representatives; case studies; a report of internal housing practices; a report of internal housing practices; and development of comprehensive landscape assessment reports for each city.​
Project: Making Restaurant & Hospitality Apprenticeship Management Pathway Curriculum Accessible to Limited English Proficient (LEP) Employees
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Client: NRAEF
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Description: Translated and formatted 1,000+ pages of restaurant and hospitality industry innovative apprenticeship management pathway training materials to Spanish for Latino/a/e/x employees with Limited English Proficiency. Materials help participants secure needed certifications and create opportunities for advancement into management positions.
Project: Montgomery County, MD Office of Food Systems Resilience - Grant Deployment & Program Service Supports
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Client: Montgomery County Office of Food System Resilience (OFSR)
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Description: Contracted to support the County’s new Office of Food System Resilience with grantmaking and impact analysis. Supported team with the development of a notice of funding opportunity for their largest grant deployment effort. Analyzed and summarized the Office’s data across programs and initiatives including school-based, food as medicine, community gardening, SNAP outreach, and food infrastructure and system development. County food investments also sought to ensure grantees sourced food from local and minority owned food businesses. Analyses were prepared to inform legislators, decisionmakers, partners, and the community at large of OFSR’s impact and ongoing efforts to ensure sufficient investments are made to address hunger among a culturally and economically diverse population and the resilience of the County’s food system in the face of climate change.
Project: National Women’s Law Center’s Participatory Grantmaking and Community Impact Fund Evaluation and Technical Assistance
Client: National Women's Law Center (NWLC)
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Description: A national nonprofit entity responsible for securing key legal protections and supports for women in the United States over the last half century. Contracted to provide technical assistance and evaluate the organization’s participatory grantmaking making process related to their Community Impact Fund Initiative focused on building partnerships between national and local level community-based organizations focused on strengthening childcare sector policies that impact the financial security of Black and Brown female workers and parents.
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Project: Program Evaluation & Consultation for Black Sage Collective Underground Railroad Community Project
Client: ​Black Sage Collective
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Description: Developing and implementing a mixed-method evaluation of the Underground Railroad Community Project (URCP), funded by the U.S. Administration on Children, Youth, and Families Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services. URCP is a multi-year initiative designed to effectively serve and support Black children, adults, and families in Detroit, MI, experiencing domestic and sexual violence and risk of child welfare system contact and to reduce health and system disparities by building the capacity of a consortium of culturally specific community-based organizations and partners with lived expertise to provide evidence-based culturally responsive, trauma-informed, healing-centered, and equity focused interventions and advocacy strategies and educate Black families and communities about their rights and strategies to promote safety and accountability. Arcstratta’s support includes designing a logic model and evaluation plan; collecting and analyzing data on program activities and processes; preparing reports of findings, progress, lessons learned, and recommendations; and assisting Black Sage Collective with infrastructure development including preparation of equity plans and organizational documents.
Project: Purple Line Corridor Coalition - Sustainability Consulting for Programming to Ameliorate Negative Impacts of Transit-Oriented Development Processes
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Client: National Center for Smart Growth, University of Maryland, College Park
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Description: Strategy consulting regarding the sustainability of equitable economic development interventions (workforce, small business, affordable housing, and place-making) designed to support underserved communities impacted by a regional transit-oriented development project within majority-minority counties.
Project: Securing Affordable Housing Green/Climate Financing Capital
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Client: City First Enterprises
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Description: Provided consulting support with securing funding to source green financial products to facilitate green energy transition in the affordable housing development space and advocacy in underserved communities.
Project: Study on Member Selection for Montgomery County Citizen Commissions, Committees, and Boards
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Client: Office of Legislative Oversight
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Description: Contracted by the Montgomery County, MD Office of Legislative Oversight to design a study to assess the composition and practices of the County government’s advisory bodies and the perception of its members. Analyzed existing County data and developed surveys to assess the diversity, recruitment processes, cycling of members, and perceived effectiveness of engagement of members, and to develop recommendations to strengthen diversity among members. Approximately 600 members participated in the survey. Staff tasked with managing the bodies were also surveyed regarding their selection, training, and monitoring of member composition. Findings were compiled in a report that was presented to the County’s Council. ​
Project: Theory of Change Assessment
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Client: NeighborWorks America
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Description: Provided consulting to the NeighborWorks America's strategy and impact senior leadership staff in the advancement of the organization’s evaluation and learning, a leading and national community and economic development nonprofit. Assessed their Theory of Change through document review and interviews with leadership involved in the development and provided a summary of recommendations to refine the Theory of Change and its use to advance organizational strategies, impact, and sustainability.
Project: Youth Out-of-School Time (OST) Program System Building
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Client: Montgomery County Collaboration Council for Children, Youth and Families
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Description: Designed and conducted an innovative, equity-grounded assessment to further understand the needs, access, and experiences of students and families who identify as Black, Brown, and with low incomes related to OST programming and other local resources to support their well-being. Partnered with youth and families to elevate their voices and priorities to engage and empower communities, increase equity and inclusion, reduce barriers to resource utilization, aid in strategic planning and decision-making, and inform program development. Services included conducting, analyzing, and summarizing community conversations (focus groups) and online surveys. Key findings and recommendations were presented to County OST systems building workgroup, public school system partners, and the Collaboration Council board of directors.