We’ve discovered that many communities struggle to implement a strategic plan to revitalize their neighborhoods. It’s difficult to develop a cohesive plan when you’re not sure where the problems lie. This is why the Flourishing Neighborhood Index is a powerful tool.

What is the Flourishing Neighborhood Index?

The FNI is a tool that measures the health of your community across economic, social, and structural indicators. It employs a survey approach that builds trust and solidarity with neighbors while gleaning key insights into the strengths and challenges your neighborhood faces. Here’s how it works: we will work with you to equip locals to conduct interviews with their neighbors. During the interviews, neighbors will share about their neighborhood and about 12 key indicators of flourishing. Once they have collected the data, we will walk you through interpreting and sharing it with the neighborhood. Then, the community will determine best next steps based on what they learned from their collective insights.

Is the FNI a Good Fit For You?

If you’d like a clearer picture of your neighborhood’s strengths and challenges, this is a helpful tool. It’s a great option if you’d like to strengthen community relationships and ensure that neighbors are aligned on a mission and vision.

What Neighborhoods Use FNI?

The FNI is a powerful tool across a diverse range of communities. We have seen it yield insight for both rural and urban communities, as well as neighborhoods across the country. Currently, we’ve used the FNI in neighborhoods in Tennessee, Iowa, New Mexico, and Georgia. Some neighborhoods are primarily white, some are primarily Black, and others have a large Latinx population.

What Happens When You Use the FNI?

Here’s the kind of transformation that can happen when you use the FNI. Elsa Borello, one of our staff who administers the FNI, tells the story of a client in Iowa who saw massive success. Previously, a new hire had struggled to build relationships with neighbors, including the president of the civic association. This new hire believed she knew the best way forward and lacked buy in from the rest of the community. After administering the FNI, the community (and the new hire) could clearly see everyone’s priorities and could clearly articulate a way forward.

Stephen Causby, one of our Lead Trainer and Consultants, was able to show a neighborhood that 75% of neighbors believed that their Parks and Rec department wasn’t well maintained. The data was key to building solidarity, and the neighborhood was able to make positive changes moving forward.

Learn More About the Flourishing Neighborhood Index

We’d love to tell you more. Click here to learn more about the FNI and how it can yield positive Community Development Approaches.

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