University Hospitals as an Anchor Institution

Teaming with community partners over the past decade, University Hospitals of Cleveland (UH) created its “Anchor Institution” strategy aimed at addressing core city needs by creating jobs, stimulating the economy, and empowering urban residents to take ownership of their communities and futures. UH has committed to historically excluded minorities and diverse contractors in construction opportunities; to buy local and support diverse suppliers; and create and nurture innovative nonprofits to boost educational and economic activity. For example, through this effort, the Evergreen Cooperatives established four worker-owned companies, resulting in nearly 100 living-wage jobs with full benefits for inner-city residents; UH’s Buy Local vendor preference encouraged their largest supplier to open a distribution center in Cleveland; and NewBridge Cleveland, a dual-mission nonprofit, trains underemployed adults for high-demand health care jobs and engages at-risk youth in after-school arts curricula to kindle a love for learning and education. UH partners include Living Cities and The Cleveland Foundation for support. To read more about this innovative program, see this brief summary [link].