The Reframe FAQ
Most land conversations start in the wrong place.
A developer calls. A broker sends a note. A council member asks what your organization plans to do with “that great piece of land.” Suddenly the board is talking about density, zoning, and “maximizing value.”
All before you have answered a more basic question: What are we here to do, and who are we here for?
At Reframe, we see the same pattern again and again. Faith communities, social service agencies, and other land-owning nonprofits are sitting on some of the most notable sites in their communities. Many of those sites are underused, aging, or at risk of being sold. At the same time, your community is wrestling with housing, belonging, and social isolation.
It is tempting to jump straight to solutions. New building. Land lease. Sale. Partnership. “Do something big.”
But the real work starts earlier.
What impact do you want to have in people’s lives? And how can this land and building support that?
How will you stay financially and organizationally healthy in the process?
What risks are you willing and unwilling to carry?
How will the decisions you make now shape your identity and relevance 20 years from today?
These are impact, sustainability, and governance questions. They sit underneath every real estate decision, whether we name them or not.
The FAQ walks through:
How we define impact and why your mission is the filter, not an afterthought
The four dimensions of sustainability we pay attention to, not just money
How we approach governance, risk, and board readiness
What a typical Reframe process looks like from first conversation to clear decision
What you can expect to have in hand at the end, even if you decide “not now”
If you and your board are feeling the pressure to “do something” with your land, but are not sure where to begin, start here.
Read it as a board. Use it to frame your next agenda. Highlight the questions that make you uncomfortable and talk about why.
You do not need a project on the table to benefit from this. In fact, it is often most useful before anyone shows up with a proposal.
Your land is more than an asset on a balance sheet. It is a tool for mission, a place of memory, and part of your social contract with your community. Decisions about it deserve time, care, and a solid framework.
That is what the FAQ is for.