Equitable Solutions, Grounded in Community
Origin Story
Mariposa Planning Solutions was founded on a simple
idea: when communities are meaningfully engaged in
the decisions that affect them, the results are better—f
or everyone.
After more than two decades in nonprofit leadership and community advocacy, founder Chris Lepe saw what was possible when communities were organized—and when public agencies engaged early, transparently, and with a genuine commitment to equity.
Mariposa Planning Solutions was created to help make that approach the norm—bringing together community insight, policy and planning expertise, and strategic communications to support better decisions, more effective implementation, and stronger, more inclusive communities.
Core
Services
We help public agencies and mission-driven organizations turn ideas into action—bringing together research, strategy, communications, and community engagement to deliver practical, community-informed results that advance equity, sustainability, and community well-being.
Equity Analysis & Strategy
We assess the benefits and burdens of projects and identify strategies to improve outcomes for historically and currently underserved communities. Our work includes organizational and project-level equity assessments, frameworks, and actionable plans.
Research, Planning & Policy Development
We provide the quantitative and qualitative analysis needed to support informed decision-making and help develop plans, policies, and programs that are practical, forward-looking, and grounded in community needs.
Community Engagement & Communications
We design and lead inclusive engagement and communications strategies that support meaningful public participation. From outreach planning and meeting facilitation to multilingual communications and community-based partnerships, we help communities understand projects, share input, and shape decisions.
Branding & Design
We create visual identities and communication materials grounded in culture, storytelling, and lived experience. Our design work ensures materials are accessible, culturally relevant, and aligned with your values and audiences.
Project Strategy & Management
We provide the structure and coordination needed to keep complex projects organized, aligned, and moving forward—from early planning through implementation.
Mariposa in the Numbers (2020-2025)
5+
Years in Operation
16
Completed Projects Across 4 States
11
Government and Nonprofit Clients
11
Partner Firms (As Prime or Subcontractor)
Why Work With Us
Community Roots Meet Policy, Planning, and Implementation
Equity at the Core
Communication That Reaches People of All Walks of Life
Your Compass Through Complexity
We combine research, data, and decades of real-world nonprofit and public sector experience to advance thoughtful and practical solutions and bridge the gap between communities and government decision-making.
Equity isn’t an add-on—it’s why we were formed and core to our mission. We help agencies and organizations address historic and existing inequities and maximize benefits for impacted populations and communities.
We design clear, culturally relevant, visually-compelling, and multilingual communications that help people understand and engage in complex projects, programs, and policies.
We work as part of your team—helping navigate challenges, align with diverse constituents and partners, and keep projects moving forward to deliver results on budget and on time.
Principles
Our guiding commitments inform the partnerships we enter into and align our actions with our mission to serve communities and our clients effectively and ethically
01
Focus on Those Most Impacted
We prioritize the voices and needs of those most impacted, collaborating to shape programs that remove barriers, enhance participation, and create shared value for communities and institutions alike.
02
Better Outcomes for Everyone
We believe that when projects and programs work for those most in need, they work better for entire communities and regions.
03
Integrity Guides Our Work
We are committed to fairness, transparency, and accountability in how we work and the outcomes we help achieve.
04
Go Beyond the Minimum
We strive to exceed our clients' expectations, steward resources responsibly to achieve maximum value, and help agencies and organizations move beyond basic requirements to create meaningful and lasting impact.
05
Learn, Adapt, Improve
We stay flexible, learn from each project, and apply best practices to continuously improve outcomes.
Partners and Clients
