Crisis-Proofing: A Renewal Blueprint for Mission-Driven Businesses & Nonprofits

Public-serving organizations across the country are navigating a moment of profound uncertainty. As social, economic, and political pressures converge, it’s clear that many organizations are now operating in crisis mode. From policy rollbacks and funding cuts to rising community needs and burnout among frontline staff, these organizations are being pushed to their limits.
In her white paper, Crisis-Proofing: A Renewal Blueprint for Mission-Driven Business & Nonprofits, Public Works Partners Founder and CEO draws from her years of on-the-ground experience to explore what makes a crisis. She shines a light on key warning signs that you may already be in a crisis and outlines actionable recommendations for leaders in the field.
This guide is a must-read for leaders of organizations feeling existential pressures. View or download the white paper below!
Back to Your Roots: How Struggling Organizations Can Reground Their Mission for Lasting Impact

By Public Works Partners Senior Manager Alex Fiorille Working tirelessly to do the most with the least in order to build and uplift your community is just part of the job for many nonprofits. Even the scrappiest mission-driven organizations are finding themselves wading into an increasingly uncertain funding environment. A recent survey by The New […]
Reimagining the Ladder: Reflections from the Economic Mobility Summit 2025

Authors: Celeste Frye and Moe Magali Last week, we attended the Economic Mobility Summit 2025 in Philadelphia, hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. The convening brought together community builders, funders, employers, policymakers, and researchers to dig deep into the question: What does it take to ensure economic mobility in America is not just […]
Storytelling the Future: How New York’s Oldest Nonprofits Have Adapted to a Changing World
Authored By: Seth Satterlee Employing approximately 12.5 million people, or 10% of the national workforce, American nonprofits operate on a scale unmatched by other countries. Over more than 250 years, the sector has developed and expanded by responding to society-wide shocks and evolving community needs, especially here in New York. To adapt to changing times, […]
Public Works Partners Earns LA Metro SBE Certification

Public Works Partners is excited to announce our brand-new Small Business Enterprise (SBE) certification with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). As we continue to grow our practice in Southern California, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to work closely with Metro and other Los Angeles County agencies and organizations as they […]
Interview: Why Nonprofits Should Know Their Narrative

Did you know that Public Works Partners was launched in 2010? Since then, we’ve grown from three to nearly thirty team members, expanded into our two distinct service areas—organizational and community health—moved three times until finding our current home on 38th Street, persevered through a pandemic, rebranded, and launched our California office. These moments, together, […]
The Role of Storytelling in Community Recovery and Resilience Building

Disasters disrupt not just the physical landscape but also communities’ social and emotional fabric. In these moments of upheaval, storytelling is more than a means of collecting experiences. It is a strategic tool for recovery and resilience. Developed by Public Works Partners, the Storytelling for Recovery and Resilience Framework provides a structured approach to utilizing […]
Our Resilience: Collaborative Strategies for Rebuilding the Fire-Ravaged Altadena Community

After burning for nearly a month, the LA wildfires have finally been contained, leaving devastation in its wake. The Eaton Fire directly east of Los Angeles ravaged 14,021 acres of land and leveled much of the historic community of Altadena. The Public Works Partners team is proud to have a growing office in Pasadena, just […]
Public Works Partners Promotes Alex Fiorille to Senior Manager

For Immediate Release New York, NY – February 03, 2025 – Public Works Partners, a WBE/DBE-certified management consulting and urban planning firm, is proud to announce the promotion of Alex Fiorille to Senior Manager on the Client Services team. This well-deserved advancement reflects Alex’s significant contributions to the firm and his commitment to fostering equitable, […]
Introducing Public Works’ 2024 Year-in-Review: Advancing Impact, Innovation, and Equity
2024 was another meaningful year for Public Works Partners, and we’re excited to celebrate the 60 projects we completed for 41 clients across 366 unique neighborhoods. Throughout this past year, we dove head-first into challenges in the workforce, transportation, health, climate, and education industries, working with our clients and partners to develop innovative, community-centered, and […]
Resilient Roots: Strategies for Sustaining Neighborhood Identity Amid Gentrification

Authored By: Rama Ramachandran While New York City’s population has never been static, the City’s development and growth from the 1970s to today has coincided with a unique kind of urban migration. Gentrification is, according to the Anti-Displacement Network, a process of neighborhood change in historically disinvested areas “by means of real estate investment and […]
How Can We Make Urban Planning More Just? Introducing the Community Justice Index

Recognizing the absence of restorative justice principles in urban planning, Public Works Partners created the Community Justice Index, a three-part framework for more just community-based planning. Among the first efforts to integrate restorative justice principles into urban planning, the Community Justice Index embeds repair, reconciliation, and trauma-informed approaches directly into planning processes. The Community Justice […]