AIM's Planning Services
“Sustainable development is the pathway to the future we want for all. ”
Housing, Economic Development, and Neighborhood Studies
AIM’s studies are designed to inform client decision making. We begin with client interviews to understand community context, define study goal(s) and understand the proposed use(s) of the study. These early discussions provide the framework for our scope of work.
Our research approach includes qualitative and quantitative data, primary and secondary data sources, and comparative indicators. The selection of data type, data sources, data analysis methodologies and techniques is designed to provide a thorough understanding of the issues. Results are presented in formats accessible to a broad-range of stakeholders to ensure buy-in and engagement.
AIM pays special attention to community context. We understand that the history of a community, its’ political and community leaders, residents, businesses, institutions, infrastructure, land and building assets, etc. provide critical insights to understanding challenges, identifying opportunities, and creating place-based solutions.
Previous clients have ranged from municipalities who have utilized our housing and economic development studies to guide the strategic allocation of limited federal subsidies to nonprofits that have utilized our neighborhood studies to guide the redevelopment of vacant or underutilized land or buildings into community assets.
Please click here (link) to see samples of completed Studies.
Strategic Planning
AIM’s planning services are designed to engage a broad range of stakeholders in the collaborative development of strategic plans. We begin by identifying the full range of community stakeholders and developing inclusive public engagement strategies such as public meetings, workshops, focus groups, and online/social media engagement. A special emphasis is placed on outreach to vulnerable and special populations that may have language, mobility or other challenges that typically impede or restrict their participation.
Our facilitation work includes a variety of participatory techniques and exercises thoughtfully selected to guide the strategic planning process and encourage active participation. The goal is to create broadly supported vision and mission statements; identify policies, strategies, programs, and projects that leverage the community’s unique assets and resources; and develop feasible implementation plans and timetables.
Previous clients have ranged from disaster-impacted communities seeking strategic planning support to identify resiliency projects to be funded with federal disaster aid, to nonprofits seeking to stabilize their organizations and develop long-term sustainability plans.
Please click here (link) to see samples of AIM’s Strategic Planning work.
Program Development
AIM’s program development services are specifically targeted to organizations that are developing mission-aligned housing and economic development programs which leverage their existing assets. Our program development services begin with a review of the organization’s strategic plan and discussions with the Board, leadership, staff and target population(s). The criteria for developing program alternatives include desired outcomes, available resources, proposed budgets, leveraging opportunities, and time-frames. At the end of your work with AIM, you’ll have everything you need to launch a mission-aligned program: short- and long-term implementation strategies, program tracking recommendations and guidelines for how to evaluate how well the program is working.
Our clients range from a national organization that sought to create a faith-based program to support local churches with vacant or underutilized land and property to a struggling rural retreat facility that needed support to assess and improve their existing organizational structure, financial systems, and program focus in order to become financially viable.
Please click here (link) to see samples of AIM’s Program Development work.