Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium (AAACRHSC)
Quire supported the growth and long-term sustainability of a coalition of 20 civil rights heritage sites across Alabama.
AAACRHSC began as a project of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and has grown into an independent nonprofit dedicated to preserving living history.
After receiving recognition from the World Monuments Fund, the Consortium needed a roadmap to coordinate its member sites and build organizational infrastructure.
The Brief
The challenge:
Many sites were independently owned, underfunded, and led by aging stewards. Due to systemic racism and devaluation of Black historical sites, there was deep distrust due to years of unfulfilled promises.
The Strategy
Move at the speed of the sites. Build trust. Facilitate visioning sessions and planning that centers the needs of site leaders, not external stakeholders.
The Research:
We conducted interviews, led visioning sessions, facilitated board retreats, and created a business plan, toolkit, and operating model that reflected community voices. In addition to the in-depth research, our work included program evaluation, coaching, business plan development, toolkit design, RFP management, and board retreat facilitation.
THE RESULTS:
In May 2020, the Consortium became an independent 501c(3) and raised $1.8M in its first year of operation.
The Impact:
The Consortium now has a strong foundation to preserve historic sites, attract funders, and influence how civil rights history is told and sustained in the South.
AAACRHSC was Quire’s very first client, and we continue to be proud of the work they do!
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