Community Resilience Organizations

Overview

Community Resilience Organizations (CROs) is a nonprofit organization based in the United States, established in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene in 2011. With the Employer Identification Number (EIN) 47-4647183, CROs operates as a grassroots organizing hub dedicated to fostering climate and racial justice through community engagement and technical assistance. The organization focuses on building resilience at both local and regional levels by creating connections among various community care and resilience networks.

Mission

CROs aims to empower and collaborate with community partners to cultivate resilient communities, emphasizing the integration of climate justice and racial equity. The organization is committed to tenacity, flexibility, and love in its approach to community resilience.

Values

CROs operates under several core values, which guide its initiatives and community relationships:

• Care & Connection: The organization promotes a culture of love and restoration towards the Earth and its inhabitants, fostering transparency, accountability, and flexibility.

• Stewardship of Resources: CROs acknowledges its responsibility in managing various resources—natural, social, emotional, spiritual, and financial—believing in the abundance and generosity within communities.

• Boldness & Tenacity: Trusting in the lived experiences of individuals, CROs creates conditions that allow communities to thrive through innovative local solutions.

• Grounded in Context: The organization remains aware of existing crises and is prepared to adapt to emergent changes while maintaining steadiness in its operations.

Activities and Impact

CROs plays a significant role in engaging local teams to improve disaster preparedness, hazard mitigation, and climate adaptation strategies. By breaking down silos, the organization fosters collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including emergency management, conservation groups, social services, and government entities.

Key initiatives include:

• Technical Assistance and Capacity Building: CROs provides resources and support to local teams, enhancing their ability to respond effectively to climate-related challenges.

• Annual Events: The organization hosts events such as the "Day for CROing," promoting community spirit and collaboration on resilience projects.

• Fiscally Sponsored Projects: Through its role as a fiscal sponsor, CROs supports various community-driven projects aimed at addressing local needs and enhancing resilience.

Conclusion

Community Resilience Organizations is committed to creating a vision of a safe, equitable, and resilient future for communities, particularly in Vermont. By centering climate and racial justice in its work, CROs continues to empower grassroots efforts and foster solidarity among diverse community members.

[1] https://gocros.org [2] https://www.idealist.org/en/nonprofit/6a7937480b474562a6660d0e133da41e-community-resilience-organizations-cros-south-royalton [3] https://www.omahafoundation.org/community/community-resilience-fund/ [4] https://criresilient.org [5] https://gocros.org/support