Clients

The Arras Foundation (Lancaster, SC)
The Arras Foundation partners with community members who work to make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of their community.  The Arras Foundation focuses on grant making in the following areas: responsive grants, adult literacy transition grants, and teachers’ pet grants.

Cleveland Foundation
The Cleveland Foundation is the first and one of the largest community foundations. Its mission is to enhance the lives of all residents of Greater Cleveland, now and for generations to come, by working together with our donors to build community endowment, address needs through grantmaking, and provide leadership on key community issues.

Cleveland Metropolitan School District
The Cleveland Metropolitan School District envisions 21st Century Schools of Choice where students will be challenged with a rigorous curriculum that considers the individual learning styles, program preferences and academic capabilities of each student, while utilizing the highest quality professional educators, administrators and support staff available.

Educational Service Training of Northeast Ohio (Ohio)
Educational Service Centers (ESCs) are dedicated to providing school districts with professional development, technology, support, planning, and administrative services that help improve student learning, enhance the quality of instruction, expand equitable access to resources and maximize operating and fiscal efficiencies.

Enterprise Community Partners (Cleveland, Ohio)
Enterprise Ohio works with partners to create and advocate for affordable homes in thriving communities linked to good schools, jobs, transit and health care. They lend and grant funds, provide technical assistance, finance development and manage and build affordable housing, while shaping new strategies, solutions and policy, such as the Housing First Initiative.

First Year Cleveland (Cleveland, Ohio)
First Year Cleveland is a community collaboration of expectant parents, parents, community leaders, philanthropic organizations, government entities, health providers, educational institutions, nonprofits, faith-based and business entities. Its mission is to mobilize the community through partnerships and a unified strategy to reduce infant deaths including racial disparities.

Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services (Ohio)
The Franklin Department of Job and Family Services (FCDJFS) is a county, state and federally supported agency responsible for basic financial, medical and social services programs.

The George Gund Foundation:
The George Gund Foundation is a private, nonprofit institution with the sole purpose of contributing to human well-being and the progress of society. Over the years, program objectives and emphases have been modified to meet the changing opportunities and problems of our society, but the foundation’s basic goal of advancing human welfare remains constant. The Foundation has made grants totaling $722 million since its inception.

HMS (National)
HMS is the nation’s leader in cost containment, program integrity, and coordination of benefits solutions for government-funded and commercial healthcare entities.

Idaho AEYC (Idaho)
The mission of Idaho AEYC is to advance Idaho’s early learning profession and advocate for children, families and those who work on behalf of young children. Their Building Idaho’s Early Learning Foundation project, funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, aims to engage communities across Idaho regarding the importance of high-quality early learning programs for children.

Louisiana Department of Education
Louisiana Department of Education is built on the premise that Louisiana students are just as capable as any students in America, and that those closest to children – parents and teachers – are best positioned to help students achieve those expectations. Louisiana’s Academic Strategy creates a birth through 12 system and its Academic Plan focuses on Access to Quality Early Childhood Education, Academic Alignment in Every School and Classroom, Teacher and Leader Preparation, and Pathways to College or a Career.

Louisiana Policy Institute for Children (Louisiana)
 The Policy Institute for Children advances policies to ensure that Louisiana’s young children are ready for success in school and in life.

Michigan Department of Education Office of Great Start
Michigan Department of Education Office of Great Start is charged with ensuring that all children birth to age eight, especially those in highest need, have access to high-quality early learning and development programs and enter kindergarten prepared for success.

The Ohio 8 Coalition (Ohio)
The Ohio 8 Coalition is a strategic alliance composed of superintendents and teacher union presidents from Ohio’s 8 urban school districts – Akron, Canton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Toledo, and Youngstown. Combined, the districts comprise 12% of Ohio’s total K-12 student population.

Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness (OPSR)
OPSR was created through legislation in 2003 to ensure better, equitable outcomes for children and families. OPSR’s Board serves as the state’s Early Childhood Advisory Council. OPSR’s mission is to lead Oklahoma in coordinating an early childhood system that strengthens families and ensures all children are ready for school.

PRE4CLE (Cleveland, Ohio)
PRE4CLE is a plan to expand access to high-quality preschool to children in the City of Cleveland. PRE4CLE will work with the community to connect parents and families to available high-quality preschool opportunities. Read the case study here.

The William J. and Dorothy K. O’Neill Foundation (Cleveland, OH)
The O’Neill Foundation partners with nonprofits to improve the quality of life for families and communities, in places where O’Neill family members live.

A Place 4 Me (Cleveland, OH)
A Place 4 Me (AP4M) is a cross-sector initiative that harnesses the strengths and resources of its partners to prevent and end homelessness among young adults age 15 to 24 in Cleveland/Cuyahoga County. Read the press release for the AP4M homelessness symposium here.

Asheville-Buncombe County Preschool Planning Initiative: Buncombe Partnership for Children (Asheville, North Carolina)
The mission of the Buncombe Partnership for Children strengthen the capacity of educators, families, and the community to build a strong foundation for children’s learning and development beginning at birth

Black Family Development, Inc. (Detroit, Michigan)
Black Family Development, Inc. (BFDI) seeks to improve outcomes for children, families and the community. They offer a continuum of programs and services, engages the total community, and works in partnerships with others to provide the best outcomes within  neighborhoods. BDFI work includes Hope Starts Here, Detroit’s Early Childhood Partnership that has engaged families, businesses, child education and health experts, and the larger community in creating a vision to ensure that children are born healthy, prepared for kindergarten, and on track for success by third grade and beyond.

BUILD Initiative (National)
The BUILD Initiative works with early childhood leaders within states and nationally to better prepare young children to thrive and succeed. They support state leaders from both the private and public sectors as they work to set policy, offer services and advocate for children from birth to age five.

Care Alliance (Cleveland, OH)
Care Alliance, a nonprofit community health center aims to provide high-quality, comprehensive medical and dental care, patient advocacy and related services to people who need them most, regardless of ability to pay.

Center on Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes (CEELO) (National)
CEELO strengthens the capacity of State Education Agencies (SEAs) to lead sustained improvements in early learning opportunities and outcomes.

Centralina Workforce Development Board (Centralina (Anson County, Cabarrus County, Iredell County, Lincoln County, Rowan County, Stanly County, Union County in North Carolina)
The Centralina Workforce Development Board and NCWorks Career Centers are committed to partnerships that help our region’s businesses and workers become a competitive force in our global economy.

Charlotte Works (Charlotte, NC)
Charlotte Works brings workforce, economic development, educational and industry partners to the same table, aligning the workforce system by strengthening partnerships, guiding policy and promoting career pathways.

Chicago Teacher’s Union Foundation (Chicago, Illinois)
Chicago Teacher’s Union Foundation (CTU Foundation) supports public education, the improvement of teaching and learning conditions, and serves to protect members rights. The CTU Foundation seeks to support local groups who seek improve their communities

City of Little Rock, Department of Community Programs (Little Rock, Arkansas)
The Department of Community Programs at the City of Little Rock provides the community with quality programs that utilize citizen involvement, proven practices, and standardized processes with the goal of improving positive outcomes and the quality of life for the children, youth, and families of Little Rock.

Columbus City Council (Columbus, OH)
Columbus City Council is responsible for adopting annual operating and capital budgets, city contracts and enacting the Columbus City Codes on behalf of 850,000 residents.

Columbus City School District (Columbus, Ohio)
Columbus City Schools is Ohio’s largest public school district, serving the needs of more than 51,000 students in 109 schools.

Corporation for a Skilled Workforce (CSW) (Ann Arbor, Michigan)
CSW catalyzes nationwide transformative change in education, economic, and workforce development through research and action.

Cuyahoga Community College Foundation (Cleveland, OH)
The Cuyahoga Community College Foundation raises funds for student scholarships and educational program development.

Cuyahoga County Council (Ohio)
The Cuyahoga County Council is an 11-member body elected by residents of each council district. The Council makes policy decisions for the effective functioning of County government and is a link between government agencies and citizens.

Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (National)
Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP) works to to empower emerging leaders and elevate philanthropic practice in order to build a more just, equitable and sustainable world. They do this through professional and leadership development, advocacy and innovation, and community building.

Early Childhood Investment Corporation (Michigan)
The Early Childhood Investment Corporation was established in 2005 to coordinate and deliver early childhood development and child care programs and functions throughout the State of Michigan.

Early Learning Indiana
As Indiana’s oldest and largest early childhood education nonprofit, Early Learning Indiana provides leadership, advocacy and early childhood education services to continually improve the early learning landscape in Indiana.

The Early Years Institute (EYI) (Plainview, New York)
EYI engages parents, organizations and community leaders who can make a difference in the lives of children through innovative programs, public education, research, and advocacy.

Empowering and Strengthening Ohio’s People (Cleveland, Ohio)
Empowering and Strengthening Ohio’s People (ESOP) is a full-service housing and financial counseling agency. ESOP helps people in every stage of life become empowered to take control of their finances, make a plan for financial stability, and afford sustainable homeownership

Every Child Succeeds (Ohio, Kentucky)
Every Child Succeeds (ECS)  prepares new mothers and their children for healthy, successful lives. ECS offers Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky families support to ensure an optimal start for their children. ECS represents a collaborative evidence-based home visitation program to help parents create a nurturing, healthy environment for their children.

Fair Housing Coalition (Ohio)
Following recent legislative activity related to  housing issues at Ohio’s Statehouse, the Miami Valley Fair Housing Center and Toledo Fair Housing Center are working in partnership to develop statewide Fair Housing Coalition that will seek to  strengthen and preserve Ohio’s communities by protecting Ohio’s fair  housing laws, expanding protected classes at the state level, and  educating state policymakers on fair housing issues.

Foundation Center Midwest (Cleveland, Ohio)
Foundation Center is the leading source of information about philanthropy worldwide. Through data, analysis, and training, it connects people who want to change the world to the resources they need to succeed.

First Things First (Arizona)
First Things First was established to help provide greater opportunities for all children five and under in Arizona to grow up ready to succeed.

Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg (St. Petersburg, FL)
The Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg was established to improve the health and well-being of the St. Petersburg community through initiatives that create sustainable, effective improvements to quality of life.

Gaston County Workforce Development Board (Gaston County, NC)
The Gaston County Workforce Development Board (WDB), a public-private organization, helps connect talent to jobs. Their mission is to help employers meet their workforce needs, and help individuals find jobs and build careers.

groundWork™ Ohio (Ohio)
groundWork™ is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization that advances quality early learning and development as the most transformative strategy to improve school outcomes, increase the life-long success of Ohio’s children, and lay a strong foundation for economic prosperity in our state.

Health Foundation for Western & Central New York (New York)
The Health Foundation for Western & Central New York (HFWCNY) sparks lasting change in health and health care across western and central New York with a special focus on young children, older adults and the systems serving them.

Heising-Simons Foundation (National)
The Heising-Simons Foundation is dedicated to advancing sustainable solutions in the environment, supporting groundbreaking research in science, and enhancing the education of our youngest learners.

Housing First (Cuyahoga County, OH)
The Housing First Initiative seeks to produce sufficient, permanent supportive housing apartments to end long-term and chronic homelessness in Cuyahoga County.The Initiative brings together housing and human services providers, advocates for the homeless, public sector systems and the philanthropic community and draws on local and national expertise and experience.

Mecklenburg County (North Carolina)
Mecklenburg County government serves over 1 million residents throughout Charlotte, Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Matthews, Mint Hill & Pineville, NC. It is responsible for addressing the County’s needs, especially in the areas of health, education, welfare and mental health. It seeks to create a community of pride and choice for people to live, work, and recreate.

Mental Health & Addiction Advocacy Coalition (MHAC) (Ohio)
The Mental Health & Addiction Advocacy Coalition (MHAC) fosters education and awareness of mental health and addiction issues while advocating for public policies and strategies that support effective, well-funded services, systems and supports for those in need, resulting in stronger Ohio communities.

Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation (Ohio)
The Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation seeks to assist Greater Cleveland’s organizations and leaders to improve the health and well-being of the Jewish and general communities now and for generations to come.

National Association for the Education of Young Children (National)
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is a professional membership organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research. The association comprises nearly 70,000 individual members of the early childhood community and more than 300 regional Affiliate chapters, all committed to delivering on the promise of high-quality early learning.

National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) (National)
The National Association of State Boards of Education exists to serve and strengthen State Boards of Education in their pursuit of high levels of academic achievement for all students.

National Development Council (National)
National Development Council (NDC) works to increase the flow of capital for investment in low-income communities. NDC directs capital to support the development and preservation of affordable housing, the creation of jobs through training and small business lending, and the advancement of livable communities through investment in social infrastructure.

New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute (The Institute) (New York)
The Institute brings together city and state agencies, a consortium of private funders, and the nation’s largest urban university to support the development of all early childhood educators in New York.

Ohio Transformation Fund (Ohio)
The Ohio Transformation Fund is a collaborative fund developed by national and local funders advocating for healthy communities and an equitable democracy across Ohio. At present, the OTF focuses on transforming the justice system, supporting efforts to address the negative impact of the current system on youth, families and communities.

Oregon Department of Education
The mission of Oregon’s Early Learning Division is to support all of Oregon’s young children and families to learn and thrive. We value equity, making a positive impact for children and families, dedication, integrity and collective wisdom to benefit Oregon children and families.

Port of Cleveland (Cleveland, Ohio)
The Port of Cleveland is the only local government agency whose sole mission is to spur job creation and economic vitality in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

Prevent Child Abuse Arizona (PCA) (Arizona)
Since 1989, PCA Arizona has been a leader in bringing research-based, prevention services to communities throughout Arizona to ensure children grow up safe and healthy, free from abuse and neglect. In 2015, PCA Arizona prevention services will reach over 45,000 young children and their families with parent education, home visits, and child welfare system improvements.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (National)
Forward Promise is a $11.5 million initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focused on promoting opportunities for the health and success of middle school- and high school-aged boys and young men of color. Read the case study here.

Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland (Cleveland, OH)
Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland works to improve the lives of those most in need with special attention to families, women, and children living in poverty.

Smart Start and the North Carolina Partnership for Children (North Carolina)
The mission of Smart Start is to advance a high quality, comprehensive, accountable system of care and education for each child beginning with a healthy birth. Smart Start brings together all the people involved in a young child’s life—families, teachers, doctors, caregivers, social workers, and many others—to ensure every child has all they need for healthy growth and development.

Southeast Sustainability Directors Network (National)
Southeast Sustainability Directors Network (SSDN) is a professional network of local government sustainability officials in the Southeast U.S. that collaborate to accerlerate the adoption of sustainable best practices across the country. SSDN participants work together by sharing best practices, implementing multi-city collaboration projects, and building a nework of trusting relationships between peers.

Towards Employment (Cleveland, Ohio)
Since 1976, Towards Employment has helped more than 122,000 people prepare for a job, get a job, keep a job, and move up the career ladder through job readiness training, placement, retention and supportive services provided in a comprehensive and responsive manner.

Wisconsin Alliance for Infant Mental Health (WI-AIMH) (Wisconsin)
WI-AIMH strives to promote infant mental health through building awareness, promoting professional capacity, fostering partnerships and supporting policies which are in the best interest of infants, young children and their families.

ZERO TO THREE (National)
ZERO TO THREE is a national, nonprofit organization that provides parents, professionals, and policymakers the knowledge and know-how to nurture early development.