MSU Extension Community Change Hub

Community champions often know partners and are passionate about choosing practical strategies that fit the community.

Once you have explored what is working and what could be better, the next step is to decide what your group wants to do. Work together to choose a realistic goal and gather information that can help you reach it.

Look for reliable ideas and examples

Start by reviewing trustworthy resources, practical strategies and real‑world examples. Talk with your group about tools or ideas that could move your goal forward. Ask if anyone knows another place, person or group who has tried something similar.

You may also want to:

• Visit communities or sites that have used successful approaches.
• Connect with community champions who have done similar change work.
• Observe what makes their approach effective.

Seeing what others have tried can spark ideas and help you understand what might work in your setting.

Use trusted sources

The MSU Extension Community Change Hub brings together trusted information on nutrition, physical activity, and community health. These resources are organized into four areas of practice: early health, school wellness, food access, and active communities. Start here to help your community make informed decisions and take action. 

When reviewing online materials, look for resources that highlight research or evidence‑based practices.

Reliable, evidence-based information often comes from:

• Universities
• Professional organizations
• Government (.gov) sites

Talk with your team about what fits best

Discuss what strategies feel like a good match for your group’s goals and readiness. Partners may know about resources that:

• Describe promising or evidence‑based strategies.
• Provide funding or financial support.
• Help plan or carry out the work.

Choose options that feel realistic and doable for your group.

Questions to consider

As your group begins planning, the following questions can help clarify what’s required and where to focus your efforts.

• What does the group want to change?
• What resources are needed for success?
• Will financial support be needed?

These questions help clarify what’s required and where to focus your efforts.

Print or share these resources

• Gather Resources Guide and Worksheet
• MSU Extension's Six-Step Community Change Model Toolkit