10 Aspects of a Changemaker

Be a respected, credible voice able to create

Our main identity has been and should be a bridger. We use our power and authority to connect across difference to propel change. There are times our work aligns with activists and even partisans. But overall, we ensure our overall identity is that of a bridger. We bring the right people together to create the conditions for transformative change.

Engage the right partners

We see the possibilities and limitations of both grasstops and grassroots. We cultivate organizations from both groups to partner with KHF and each other.

Understand the culture and sub-cultures

From a process standpoint, what works to create change in California, Idaho or Georgia won’t necessarily work in Kansas. We will create a deep understanding of the Kansas context and will ensure the interventions that emerge from KHF are a match for propelling transformative change in the broader statewide culture as well as the many sub-cultures within the state. This will require the our board, staff and partners to be curious, consider multiple interpretations and honor multiple points of view.

Take risks

As an endowed foundation, we have more ability than many organizations to absorb more risk. We can try things that might not work. We can invest in startup, grassroot nonprofits that might not have a institutional track record. We model what that looks like to take smart risks and how to best mitigate increased risk. We provide inspiration, support, and cover for other organizations to do the same.

Communicate the change initiative constantly and simply

Communication tools and tactics must be an integrated part of the overall strategic framework. Creative and simple ways to keep the vision in front of key stakeholders is critical. We curate stories of success from our partners and effectively communicate them throughout the KHF network and beyond, to our stakeholders and factions whose work and support are needed for progress. Stories of our failure are shared too, in the spirit of collective learning and transparency.

Provide a clear, compelling and inclusive vision.

Leading the nation in health can become a North star that aligns our efforts, current partners and potential partners. To achieve this, we dismantle the inequities that create health disparities. We won’t climb the health rankings by making healthy people healthier.

Foster social cohesion

We build social cohesion. We foster trust and understanding within communities, across factions and throughout our state.

Lean into healthy, productive heat or conflict

We create environments and engagements that productively surface conflict that already exists in our communities and society. We lean into discomfort, knowing it’s necessary for us, our stakeholders and all the organizations and factions who must be mobilized to eliminate health disparities.

Inspire others to head in the same direction, differently

We coalesce organizations and partners to aim at the same vision. We cultivate a coalition (formal and/or informal) focused on the vision and fan the flames of its collective work. We engage our partners in the “whole is greater than the sum of its parts” mindset, which means facilitating connections among our partners and helping them leverage one another.