In September 2005, Marlo Fox, Karin VanZant and Ellen Waild established a work plan based on an opportunity to serve a need in the Springfield, Ohio community. The need was for one organization to offer capacity building, training and technical assistance, and local meeting space for health and human service organizations. The social service network in Clark County, Ohio was programatically strong; however, the organizations' operational infrastructure lacked long-term sustainability.
Think Tank attributes its early success to the integrity and reputation of its staff and volunteers, its ability to form strategic partnerships, and, by the grace of God, the opportunity to address unmet needs in the community. There have been many opportunities in the past three years to serve our community. Special projects have included research on foreclosures, employee surveys for a large mulit-county organization, policy and procedure writing, and training/professional development sessions.
Think Tank Inc. believes that while our community may face many challenges, there are committed people and organizations with solutions. Our success depends upon relationships built with individuals and organizations in the community. We value working with problem solvers to alleviate poverty and create a sustainable, prosperous community.
Think Tank's purpose is to connect people and organizations to build our community where ALL people can thrive. We have three priority areas, or buckets, in which all of our time, talents and treasure are focused
1. Developing Local Leaders - Across Class, Race, Cultural and Sector Lines
2. Building the Capacity of Organizations and the Community Sector
3. Providing Training and a Regional Training Center for Southwest Ohio
The past four years have taught us a lot about what we have to offer. We have expanded our team from two part-time founders to 8.5 FTE. Think Tank staff have been called on to provide a variety of services to our community and are expanding our services beyond the borders of Clark County in 2009.
However, we love our community, Springfield, OH, and will continue to focus most of our resources on the place we choose to live, work, worship and play. We will continue to look for local partners in the neighboring communities who are in need of our services to build their capacity to provide what Think Tank provides to Springfield. In this manner, we are more than consultants - more than just an extra pair of hands working on special project. We are investors in Ohio's communities and believers that it will take a diverse team of public agencies, private corporations, and faith-based organizations working together, to build thriving communties for ALL.
