Engaging Anchors
Growing Local Economies, Strengthening Communities
The Center for Community Wealth (CCW) partners with anchor institutions—hospitals, universities, municipalities, and other major public organizations—to leverage their economic power for community benefit. Our anchor institution partners recognize that their well-being is tied to the health and well-being of the communities where they reside. Through strategic shifts in institutional spending, human resource practices, and investments, anchors are creating pathways to close the wealth gap in Metro Denver and build an economy that works for all.
Why Anchor Institutions Matter
Anchor institutions are more than just large employers—they're economic engines that can drive transformative change. Our approach helps institutions align their values with proven business strategies that strengthen both their bottom line and community impact. Discover proven strategies for institutional transformation through our Anchor Mission Framework.
Working With CCW – A Proven Approach
The Center for Community Wealth partners with anchor institutions to create sustainable economic impact through strategic shifts in:
Procurement practices
Human resource practices
Investment strategies
Through personalized coaching, peer learning opportunities, and implementation support, we help institutions align their business operations with their community-focused missions while strengthening their bottom line.
Working with CCW helps anchor institutions:
Access and build relationships with local vendors
Improve community health outcomes
Strengthen institutional reputation and relationships
Access a network of peer institutions and pre-vetted local vendors
Receive expert guidance on implementation and measuring impact
Connect to more stable workforce pipelines
Find local place-based investment opportunities that align with institutional values and priorities
Create measurable positive impact in their communities
Two Pathways to Partnership
Denver Anchor Network
For major institutions, including hospitals, universities, government agencies, and large cultural institutions
The Denver Anchor Network provides a collaborative space for large institutions to:
Learn from peer institutions
Access implementation resources and guidance
Develop strategies for community impact
Connect with pre-vetted local vendors
Measure and track progress
Equity Exchange
For community organizations, including faith-based congregations, nonprofits, and mission-driven businesses
Equity Exchange helps entities:
Redirect spending to support local, minority-owned businesses
Connect with local vendors for facility maintenance, operations, and other needs
Align spending with organizational values
Create measurable community impact
Learn from peer organizations
Be a part of the change they want to see happen
Tools for Success
We provide comprehensive support to help institutions create lasting change.
Explore our Anchor Resources for:
Strategic planning and implementation guidance
Peer learning opportunities
Access to pre-vetted local vendors
Impact measurement tools
Policy development support