Fairfield Resilient Action Network

About

Fairfield Resilient Action Network (FRAN)

Building a resilient future for Fairfield through collaboration, action, and community leadership.

The Fairfield Resilient Action Network (FRAN) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering economic opportunity, social wellbeing, and environmental health through bottom-up community collaboration and partnerships.

FRAN works to strengthen Fairfield’s long-term resilience by supporting strong local food systems, quality housing, healthy land and water, reduced waste, a thriving local economy, and transparent, forward-thinking planning.

From Planning to Action: RAC → FRAN

FRAN grew out of the Resilient Action Committee (RAC), a volunteer advisory group formed in March 2023 to research community needs and develop Fairfield’s first Resilient Action Plan (RAP).

Over two years, more than thirty dedicated volunteers self-organized into six subcommittees to study key community priorities. Working alongside the City of Fairfield and a Sustainability Coordinator, the RAC researched, collaborated, and drafted a comprehensive plan identifying strategic goals and implementation pathways.

As the planning phase concluded, it became clear that meaningful progress would require:

• Dedicated coordination
• Long-term fundraising capacity
• Ongoing partnerships and project leadership

To carry this work forward, the Fairfield Resilient Action Network (FRAN) was formally incorporated as an Iowa nonprofit and received 501(c)(3) status in 2025. This structure allows FRAN to independently raise funds, coordinate projects, and collaborate with city leaders and community partners to move from vision to implementation.

Current Focus Areas

FRAN supports early implementation efforts in:

• Housing development and affordability
• Local food systems and food security
• Waste reduction and stewardship
• Environmental protection and land care
• Community engagement and transparent planning

By bringing together volunteers, nonprofits, businesses, and local government, FRAN serves as a collaborative hub for community-led solutions.

Our Vision

A resilient Fairfield with:

• Strong food systems
• Quality housing
• Healthy land and water
• Reduced waste
• A thriving local economy
• Transparent, forward-thinking planning

FRAN believes lasting change happens when neighbors work together. Through partnership, research, and action, they are helping shape a sustainable and thriving future for Fairfield.