GOPC shares workable best practices for housing, community development, transportation, and more from peer cities and states and conducts in-depth policy analyses to identify regulatory reforms and funding sources for programs that promote vibrant communities in Ohio. Additionally, GOPC serves as a liaison to state policymakers, advocating for policies to strengthen Ohio and providing information to local leaders regarding policy under discussion among lawmakers and the administration at the Statehouse.

Recent Example: How to Build Safe, Vibrant Streets in Ohio: A Guide for Non-Engineers (2024)

GOPC collects and analyzes data to explore how communities—small and large—are faring. These reports pair quantitative data analyses with stakeholder interviews and qualitative research to provide a holistic picture of community vitality and future growth opportunities. These assessments recommendations for addressing gaps and strengthening current community efforts.

Recent Example: COCIC 10-Year Impact Report (2022)

GOPC builds relationships and engages stakeholders to collect public input, share information, support local programs, and tackle policy challenges. Additionally, GOPC convenes networks of professionals with shared goals to facilitate relationships and peer-learning opportunities that connect communities, projects, and organizations for a more significant impact in Ohio.

Recent Example: See our Ohio CDFI Network Community of Practice

GOPC conducts in-depth analyses of communities’ existing market-rate and affordable housing markets to develop recommendations that guide community leaders in implementing thoughtful policies and strategies to address residents’ housing needs and strengthen neighborhood market conditions.

Recent Example: Portsmouth Housing Action Plan (2024)

GOPC facilitates strategic planning processes to assist organizations in taking a step back, reflect on past successes and future goals, and chartering a path forward. These processes help organizations’ boards and leadership develop shared missions, goals, tactics, and metrics for progress tracking. As part of strategic planning, GOPC develops public policy platforms for organizations and networks to use as an essential advocacy tool.

Recent Example: Statewide Housing Platform (forthcoming)

GOPC assesses existing efforts in Ohio to identify gaps in programming or policy to solve local and state challenges. GOPC also evaluates grant impacts by tracking their outcomes in Ohio through quantitative and qualitative data research. GOPC documents efforts’ successes and lessons learned through in-depth case studies and community impact reports that can be shared with funders, stakeholders, and the broader field.

Recent Example: 614 for Linden (2023)

Our experienced bipartisan staff provides accessible lectures and educational workshops on a range of topics, from How to Get Funding from the State Capital Budget, to the pros and cons of implementing a municipal rental registry.

Cost: $600-$1,500, including travel within Ohio

GOPC skillfully assists local leaders who want customized “blueprints” that outline how to implement proven housing-related programs, like setting up a housing nonprofit or launching a regional housing consortium. These How-To guides are for communities that know what they want to do and want expert guidance in carrying out the program.

Cost: $6,000-$8,000

Local leaders who want to know how other communities have approached and solved common challenges often turn to GOPC. GOPC maintains a free archive of best practices on its Good Ideas page and often includes case studies in its commissioned major projects. GOPC can also provide case studies under a more modest scope.

Cost: $7,000-$10,000 for at least 3 case studies on a given topic

A strong digital presence is essential for effectively educating Ohioans about community development, housing, and revitalization issues. GOPC has built several “dummy-proof” websites for clients who go on to independently maintain their website after GOPC’s initial development. GOPC is also the webmaster for its own website, a GOPC subsidiary, and a membership organization that GOPC staffs.

Cost: $9,000-$30,000, depending on the amount of information that needs to be created and organized, and timeframe for publication