What We Do

We lead projects that redirect power, transform relationships, and create radical change.

We create change by supporting our partners and elevated impacted communities in two ways: Co-developing and implementing research and evaluation projects and tools and providing training and technical assistance around equitable organizational development and authentic community engagement.

Research & Evaluation

Our approach to research and evaluation results in more robust and holistic data, more effective policy and practice solutions, and more engaged community action. We work with…

  • institutional partners to fill the gaps in their understanding from those who are closest to the problem, so they can develop effective and lasting solutions

  • directly impacted communities to create new knowledge, advocate for change and build their leadership

We do this by bringing community and stakeholders together—in a variety of strategic ways—to rebalance power, collect and make meaning of data, and translate that information into specific changes to policy and practice.

In that process, we:

  • leverage our technical skills in mixed methods evaluation, quantitative surveys, qualitative focus group and semi-structured interviews, and other ideas from community members to identify actionable solutions to complex problems

  • model and cultivate relational skills that ​​build organizational capacity and create accountable, intentional spaces where community members can lead and discomfort and conflict are embraced as avenues to lasting transformation 

  • uplift new realities and stories from impacted communities that disrupt dominant narratives and make space for new organizational practices and more equitable futures

Training & Technical Assistance

Our coaching and technical assistance training build more aligned, intentional and impactful organizations and coalitions. 

A sought-after national expert, RIA has worked with hundreds of community members to develop a powerful, ground-breaking and proven research model: Equity in Action. We support entities across sectors to grow specific skills and adopt proven approaches to engage authentically with directly impacted communities — and enhance internal capacity for more equitable and effective practices and cultures.

We provide expertise and support around:

  • Approaches to innovative mixed-methods action research

  • Co-creating community-led and transformative processes

  • Strategies to cultivate self awareness, shared values and accountability for groups or teams

  • Tools for conflict navigation, creating intentional spaces, and strategic facilitation

  • Cultivating authentic leadership

  • Developing racial justice policy and practice

Our offerings range from individual-topic workshops to multi-day trainings to months-long engagements — and our expertise has been adapted to meet the needs of philanthropic institutions, nonprofits, government agencies, community-based organizations and more.