Investing in Strategies that Lead to Lasting Change: Place-based Work

Place-based work is one of the most effective ways to bring about lasting, generational change. It is best practiced within a comprehensive ecosystem of care, support, and development.

Place-based work is about people in a given place working together for sustainable, long-term transformation. Rather than applying broad, one-size-fits-all solutions, place-based initiatives focus on specific neighborhoods, deeply engaging local voices, culture, challenges, and opportunities to design solutions that truly fit that place. These efforts emphasize community leadership over external directives, collaboration over isolation, and holistic approaches over narrow, sector-specific fixes—connecting housing, education, health, family support, and neighborhood vitality into an integrated strategy for systemic change

In light of this, Welborn strategically layers its investments across areas of opportunity in communities that have experienced years of disinvestment—guided by each place’s greatest asset: its people.

One example of this approach is the deep collaboration among dozens of agencies within the Evansville Promise Neighborhood (EPN) initiative. EPN focuses on building strategic partnerships that unlock resources and empower residents to lead the change they envision for their community. The initiative works with residents, neighborhood and regional nonprofits, schools, and local consultants in defined geographic areas of Evansville with strong potential for positive transformation.

Welborn is deeply committed to the success of the EPN initiative and complements its support of EPN through direct and indirect partnerships within its service area.

Who's involved?

Welborn has partnered with these organizations who are actively engaged in place-based initiatives:

Community One

Dream Center

Potter's Wheel

Memorial CDC

Renew Christian Church

YMCA of Southwestern Indiana

We Love White County*

Audubon Kid's Zone

*Not pictured below

Welborn's Role

By investing in place-based efforts, Welborn supports community-led solutions that strengthen people, neighborhoods, and systems. These priorities are realized through our grant cycles and in our roles as collaborator, convener, and intentionally layered investments. All of which reflect Welborn’s commitment to cultivating communities that flourish and advancing strategies that drive sustainable change across our region.

Where You Live Matters

Did you know that where you live impacts your health, education, and economic opportunities?

The Where You Live Matters data report from Grow helps you explore how neighborhood conditions shape life outcomes. This report takes an in-depth look at the Greater Evansville region and area neighborhoods’ strengths and challenges.