Public Health in the Rockies 2026

Background: The Trailhead Institute is a Public Health Institute and partners extensively with community-based organizations (CBOs). Community-driven solutions involve approaches that are led, informed, and sustained by the communities they aim to serve. This approach prioritizes local knowledge and equitable partnerships. These solutions take different forms and necessitate support from behind or beside the people advancing the work. CBOs are essential, on-the-ground, trusted partners in public health, yet they often lack the resources or support to provide these important services.

Methods: This session provides capacity-supporting organizations such as Trailhead Institute, local governments, and funders with examples of structural and administrative support to help CBOs be rooted and stable resources for their communities. Administrative and capacity-building services are highly necessary for the health of an organization and yet often undervalued. This has led many individuals, unincorporated collectives, 501c3, and even LLCs to seek fiscal sponsorship for their philanthropic endeavors. In its 32 years of existence, Trailhead has fiscally sponsored over 85 different projects through four of the six fiscal sponsorship models. Investing in trusted, values-aligned partnerships sustains incredible, innovative work that can transform public health.

Results: Providing organizational support has a multiplier effect that allows public health to have a greater reach, while recognizing the need to adjust our work so we can walk alongside communities rather than driving a rigid model. A relationship-focused, fiscally sound, and constructively critical approach creates mutually beneficial growth and success.

Implications: The session will show how working with unlikely partnerships that are aligned in mission and values leads to a multi-tiered approach for public health to achieve its goals. Once attendees understand the "why and how" of our approach, we will also share how we are advancing our work beyond our partnerships to provide technical assistance to other nonprofits.