FSG partners with corporations, foundations, non-profits, governments, and multi-actor initiatives to expand economic opportunity and vitality for communities around the world. Our goal is to help our clients and partners work together more intentionally, nimbly, collaboratively, and for the long haul, to disrupt the cycle of poverty for individuals and communities.

Economic Development Projects

• ESL Federal Credit Union
  Strategy for consumer prosperity and business growth in the Rochester, New York.
• WorkLab Innovations
  Creating a national network to support entry-level workers.
• Coca-Cola Brazil
  Developing a shared value strategy for workforce development and training.
• SAP
  Creating a signature initiative to bring technology education to high school students. 
• See more economic development client projects >

Expertise

• Opportunity youth and workforce development: Develop initiatives and partnerships that invest in the education, training, and career success of vulnerable populations.
• Asset building, financial empowerment, and community economic development. Developing strategies to create greater economic opportunity and build wealth for both individuals and communities.
• Cluster development and regional economic competitiveness: Developing pre-competitive partnerships between economic agents to improve industry performance and regional economic vitality.
• Small business and supplier development: Building the capabilities of small businesses and local suppliers to improve the strength of economic regions.
• Creating market opportunities to serve low-income consumers / bottom of the pyramid: Designing and validating new business models that work for low-income segments, and addressing barriers to scaling.

How We Work

• Customized consulting: Providing strategy, business planning, and implementation support. 
• Strategic evaluation: Designing evaluation systems and conducting evaluations to support data-informed decisions.
• Cutting-edge research: Developing and disseminating fresh insights, knowledge briefs, and practical tools to improve the effectiveness of organizations investing in economic development.
• Advancing collective impact: Developing and supporting initiatives to align the efforts of local stakeholders toward economic development.
• Shared value strategy development: Designing and implementing business strategies that create business value for corporations while contributing to local economic development.

FSG’s customized processes for scaling our work resulted in a smooth transition from four separate entities to one, and a stronger representation of our model. Without their consistent support and sensitivity to our distinct differences, the process of getting to where we are now would have taken much more time and headache.

Liddy Romero
Founder and Executive Director, WorkLife Partnership
Managing Director, WorkLab Innovations, LLC

Research and Tools

• Financial Services and the Competitive Advantage of Racial Equity
  How advancing racial equity can create business value.

• Advancing Frontline Women
  Evidence-based practices proven to advance women in retail jobs into management roles and create a competitive advantage for companies. 

• Investing in Entry-Level Talent: Retention Strategies that Work
  Practices for business leaders, nonprofits, workforce organizations, and foundations working improve economic opportunity for American workers.

• Disrupting Poverty: Coming Together to Build Financial Security for Individuals and Communities
  Learn lessons and best practices from 6 projects striving to build financial security and assist individuals and the broader community.
• Partners for a Competitive Workforce
  A case study on a collective impact initiative in Cincinnati, Ohio, which provides job seekers and employers with the skills and talent they need to build the workforce.
• See all economic development resources >
• Economic development blog >