CINCINNATI (March 28, 2024) — Want to change hearts and minds? Shift policy? Bring about structural change? It starts with understanding what mindsets are — and aren’t — and what it takes to shift them, says Julie Sweetland. Sweetland is a senior adviser at the FrameWorks Institute, a non-profit that helps to provide evidence and lead conversations on scientific and social issues. Sweetland joined United Way of Greater Cincinnati to lead a discussion on the value of framing and moving mindsets to bring about effective social change.

Cultural mindsets are deeply held, foundational and widely shared. These perspectives can sometimes prevent us from solving entrenched community problems. Sweetland emphasized that with some effort, mindsets can shift.

For nonprofits that feel stuck on messaging and might be considering a new approach to framing, Sweetland suggests pinpointing the mindsets they’d like to shift and in which direction. She encourages nonprofits to dig into narrative change work and review examples from others in their field. Some resources to reference: FrameWorks - How to Shape a Strategy, Trabian Shorters on asset framing, and The Opportunity Agenda on immigration and economic justice.

Join us June 6 for our next FrameWorks discussion, Talking About Economic Wellbeing: New Strategies for New Times.

• Presentation slides: UWGCxFrameWorks-Moving-Mindsets-2024-slides.pdf
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United Way of Greater Cincinnati is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization [Tax ID: 31-0537502]. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.