HISTORY

OneCity began in 2003 with a vision to improve the lives of people of our city through collaboration between local churches and social service agencies. Most agencies and nonprofits operate independently, thereby reducing their overall scope and impact. The goal of changing lives is often compromised by the duplication of effort and resources.

One local pastor with a 20-year career in business, consulting and ministry, envisioned a more collective approach. In early 2003, Mark Stecher looked at organizational models across the country emphasizing city-wide collaboration, resource optimization, and best-practice strategies. He discovered Leadership Foundations, an organization now represented in over 70 cities around the globe with measurable success in helping social service agencies pool resources for greater impact, and decided to begin his own branch locally.

Focusing initially in two key areas of opportunity in Cincinnati, poverty and education, Mark shared his vision with several local churches who pledged financial, volunteer and spiritual support, and OneCity was born!

During the past nine years, OneCity has launched a dozen initiatives, partnered with multiple social service agencies, engaged 235 churches and mobilized thousands of volunteers to help improve our city! The goal of changed lives is becoming a reality!