Stronger Communities, More Prosperous Futures

Strategic Plan

StriveTogether mobilizes a national network of community partnerships to increase economic opportunity across the country.

Spartanburg Academic Movement
Spartanburg, South Carolina

Pathways to economic opportunity: Our 2030 strategic plan

Economic mobility in the United States is declining. According to Opportunity Insights, only half of children grow up to earn more than their parents. 

StriveTogether is a national movement working to reverse this trend. When we invest in young people and the places they call home, we unlock the potential that fuels stronger families, thriving communities and a more prosperous economy.

Our commitment: 4 million futures

StriveTogether is a national network of community partnerships that bring together neighbors, including youth and families, nonprofits, businesses, schools and more, to work toward a future where youth can thrive in their communities. Our goal is to support 4 more million futures on the path to economic mobility by 2030, as measured by critical milestones met or on track to be met by young people.

Our work helps young people meet these seven life milestones, from starting school ready to learn to landing a good-paying job. Each milestone leads to the next, increasing chances of success later in life. 

That success leads to economic mobility, or the ability of an individual or family to achieve economic success, power and autonomy, while feeling valued in their community.

Our Strategic Priorities

1. Strengthen the Cradle to Career Network

The Cradle to Career Network is the country’s largest network of place-based partnerships. StriveTogether connects, champions and supports the work of these communities to get better results for young people.

Our target

By 2030, 70% of communities in the Network will be improving four or more outcomes faster than growth in their states and closing gaps for young people, meaning more young people will be meeting key milestones on the path to economic mobility.

2. Drive Policy Change and Resources

Policies that center young people, at all levels of government, are critical for strengthened civic infrastructure. StriveTogether supports and amplifies local solutions, equips state coalitions to create lasting change and ensures that place-based partnerships are at the forefront of the national conversation. This work unlocks more public resources dedicated to building economic opportunity.

Our target

By 2030, $70 billion of public funding will be influenced for better cradle-to-career outcomes and strengthened civic infrastructure.

3. Scale Competencies Through the Training Hub

The Training Hub Powered by StriveTogether equips community leaders to deepen their work and increase economic opportunity. The Training Hub provides high-quality virtual training for learners in the Cradle to Career Network and beyond, building a stronger field of place-based partnerships.

Our target

By 2030, we’ll deliver 75,000 hours of training to support leaders to work across sectors, change systems and improve outcomes.

4. Build Support for a New Civic Infrastructure

StriveTogether turns local success stories into a national movement. We showcase the impact of place-based partnerships to build critical support for this work, bringing more individuals, organizations and communities into the collective and scaling our vision of increased economic opportunity.

Our target

By 2030, we’ll build awareness, understanding and demand for the approach of cradle-to-career, place-based partnerships and position this approach as the central framework for increasing economic mobility.
StriveTogether’s Chief Advancement Officer, Colin Groth, provides an overview of our 2030 strategic plan.

Our approach to lasting change

Our plan centers on transforming systems and establishing enduring civic infrastructure to create lasting impact. Civic infrastructure is how communities come together to hold themselves collectively accountable for supporting young people. With strong civic infrastructure, communities can create a shared vision for the future and align resources to put more young people on a path to economic mobility. 

Place-based partnerships are what kids need to succeed, they’re what our communities need to be stronger, and I think it’s what our country needs.

Bill Crim, president and CEO of United Way of Salt Lake

Salt Lake City, Utah

The most effective way to build civic infrastructure is through place-based partnerships, which bring together all sectors of a community to work toward a common vision. The StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network of place-based partnerships is creating communities where everyone can thrive.

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