Building Stronger Communities Through Collaboration

When a pharmaceutical company, a major bank, and a community nonprofit join forces, the result is more than the sum of their parts—it's a force multiplier for change. At the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Business Solves conference, leaders from Novo Nordisk, Bank of America, and Building Bridges Across the River shared how their collaboration through The Interrupt is addressing health disparities in Washington's underserved communities. 

The Power of Cross-Sector Partnerships 

The Interrupt represents a new model for corporate social impact, bringing together diverse partners to tackle the interconnected challenges facing communities. To focus on chronic disease prevention, “It’s not just about food and nutrition... but it’s about housing, education, transportation—so many different functions go into whether a community is healthy and successful,” explained Jennifer Duck, vice president of public affairs at Novo Nordisk. “Even if Novo Nordisk became a 100% foundation and put all of our money towards it, we wouldn't be able to do it alone.” 

The partnership focuses on Washington View, an affordable housing development serving 200 residents east of the Anacostia River, which is an area facing a staggering 20-year life expectancy gap compared to other parts of Washington. By combining resources and expertise, the partners are addressing food access, workforce development, health screenings, and financial literacy in one coordinated effort.

Trusting Community Leaders to Drive Solutions 

Central to The Interrupt's success is a fundamental principle: trust the people who know their communities best to identify what is needed. Rather than imposing solutions from the outside, corporate partners work alongside community organizations to understand local challenges and co-create interventions. 

Scott Kratz, president and CEO of Building Bridges Across the River, described his initial reaction when approached about the collaboration: “One word is relief.” He explained that traditional fundraising often involves fragmented conversations with individual funders. 

This community-led approach ensures interventions address real needs in holistic ways. At Washington View, residents now work on an on-site farm that provides fresh produce distributed free through a weekly market. Construction training programs have graduated dozens of residents into stable employment. Health screenings and mental health services connect residents to care. 

The partnership even hired residents as program ambassadors, creating a crucial feedback loop. “It’s really important to be those trusted sharers of information and conveyors of the different programs, but just as importantly, to provide a feedback loop of what are we getting right and what are we getting wrong,” Kratz emphasized. 

Shared Value Beyond Philanthropy 

Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan believes in "the genius of the and," as described by Derrick Perkins, senior vice president and market executive for Greater Washington at Bank of America. “We can drive profits and impact communities in a positive way. Those things aren’t mutually exclusive. Healthy communities are better for all of us.” 

As Duck concluded, “Join us. We’re stronger together. We can really make a difference and have an impact.”