The Institute for Community Knowledge & Practice is a community-centered organization dedicated to recognizing, strengthening, and putting community knowledge into action.

 

We believe communities are not simply recipients of programs, services, or research. They are knowledge holders, partners, educators, and leaders whose lived experience should help shape the decisions, policies, programs, and systems that affect their lives.

​

Through community-based participatory research, education, training, and community engagement, the Institute brings together lived experience, professional practice, and evidence to help organizations better understand communities and work alongside them. Our approach emphasizes meaningful participation, relationship-building, shared learning, and practical strategies that can be applied beyond the classroom or research setting.

 

The Institute works with community members, nonprofits, public agencies, educational institutions, researchers, and other partners to support initiatives ranging from community-engaged research and program development to workforce training, facilitation, capacity building, and professional education.

 

At the center of our work is a simple principle: valuable knowledge already exists within communities. Our role is to create spaces where that knowledge is recognized, connected with research and practice, and translated into meaningful action.

 

Community knowledge informs practice. Practice strengthens communities.