Promoting comprehensive community-driven change by fostering social, environmental, and economic wellbeing.

NSR’s Vibrant Communities Framework applies a triple-bottom line (culture, sustainability, opportunity) approach to development, leading to greater resilience around future threats and opportunities. From our work with nonprofits and social enterprises across the Pittsburgh region, NSR sees steady momentum building for a just transition away from an extractive economy that accelerates inequity, to one where opportunity and sustainability co-exist to the benefit of all.

This transformation requires a new development mindset that prioritizes happier people and a healthier planet. Everything we do creates positive and negative impacts on the things around us. Our impact strategy is wholistic and regenerative, seeking to minimize the negative and promote the positive. NSR increases the community capital of disinvested places to strengthen their social, natural, cultural, human, political, financial, and built resources. While we provide direct support to individual organizations working in specific impact areas, our belief is that the connections between them are as or more important to creating systems change.

Read NSR's 2024 Impact Report

Explore Community Experiences with Ana AI

Learn more about our approach to building Culture, Sustainability, and Opportunity by clicking an image below.

Artwork by Bec Young for New Sun Rising

IMPACT FRAMEWORKS

New Sun Rising has adopted two impact frameworks to promote greater alignment in the collaboration necessary to expand net positive impact: the Sustainable Development Goals and Community Capitals. This structure helps to coordinate our capacity building, financial, and data advocacy resources while inspiring anyone who is working towards peace, prosperity, and dignity for all people and the planet.

While established globally, the goals provide a common framework to help organize stakeholder efforts at all levels (local, regional, national, and international) and from all sectors (government, nonprofit, corporate, and citizen) toward a more equitable and vibrant world. The 17 interlinked goals have four key principles:

First, the goals are universal and apply to all nations and communities, both developed and developing. Issues in an area will have an effect on others so it is paramount that efforts must be coordinated, intersectional, and collaborative.

Secondly, the goals merge all forms of sustainability – social progress, environment protection and economic development. For example, we can grow food to feed all without depleting the soil, develop our economies without increasing inequity, and produce enough electricity for all without emitting more carbon dioxide. This ‘triple bottom line’ approach requires balanced investments and integrated strategies from all sectors.

The third principle states that no one should be left behind. There is no progress without the inclusion of those in society who are most vulnerable: education must reach indigenous communities, jobs equitably created for all races and gender identities, healthcare accessible for rural communities, and oppressed people centered in decision making and partnerships.

Finally, the global goals need active engagement from all. There must be frequent and inclusive conversations which lead to action on these topics, including civil societies, the private sector and academia.

Explore Impact Areas + SDGs in Your Community

Measure Impact Metrics on the Vibrancy Portal