Everyone Can Thrive Here
movement2030.org
Spartanburg is not just a place. Spartanburg is a movement. Here, we believe that every child should enter school with the tools they need to succeed. We believe that every student graduating from highschool should have the chance to earn a degree or certification that will advance their career. And we believe that the neighborhood you are born in shouldn’t determine the rest of your life.
“Together, we have the opportunity to build a community where every child can thrive, setting an example for communities across the country of what is possible for our children and families.” –Russell W. Booker, Ph.D. Chief Executive Officer, Spartanburg Academic Movement
Enter Movement 2030: Spartanburg’s countywide initiative designed to dramatically improve social and economic mobility for families and children. An effort by Spartanburg for Spartanburg, Movement 2030 aims to improve school readiness, post-secondary attainment, and neighborhood outcomes for generations of Spartanburg families. Together, we are making Spartanburg a place where everyone thrives, no matter where they live or work.
This is our belief. This is our community. This is our movement. We are coordinating critical resources and existing efforts among over 30 local foundations and nonprofits, educational- and faith-based institutions, public agencies, and businesses to create the conditions for children and families to succeed in life, no matter where they are born and raised. Movement 2030 is a countywide initiative driven by one guiding belief: everyone can thrive here.
A Bold Initiative Seeking to: + Dramatically advance economic mobility and educational attainment in Spartanburg County. + Foster measurable, sustainable change starting at the neighborhood level. + Propel educational advancements in two key sectors: early childhood care and education post-secondary attainment Beyond 2030, these powerful changes can help redevelop disinvested communities, expand the local talent pool, contribute to economic growth, and elevate the profile of Spartanburg nationally.
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Why now for Movement 2030? Despite billions in economic investment over the last decade, Spartanburg ranks in the bottom 10% of counties nationwide for economic mobility. That reality must change for families and children in order to thrive as a community. Backed by local, regional and national support, the time is now for Movement 2030 to advance educational outcomes for our Highland and Northside Communities… and beyond.
Our vision by 2030 is to advance outcomes while narrowing income and racial gaps:
65% children enter school
60,000 people reached
prepared for success
70% of Spartanburg County high school graduates enroll in postsecondary education within one year
7,000 additional young people being on a pathway to economic mobility as measured by progress against key milestones
15-30% increase (*each indicator) in school readiness and academic progression areas within Highland and Northside communities
Research shows the neighborhood where you are born is linked to your outcomes. In Spartanburg:
1 out of 8 residents live in poverty
2 out of 5 Spartanburg children live in poverty
80% high school graduation rate among students living in poverty
Community inequities exist between Spartanburg neighborhoods that are just miles apart. In the four miles that exist between Fernwood and Cleveland Park, there is a 17-year difference in life expectancy.
What does success look like in 2030? Early Care and Education Impact
Highland & Northside Neighborhood Impact
What will this mean for Spartanburg and beyond?
Outcomes will be advanced by 65% in early care and education, helping children enter school prepared for success.
Increase school readiness and academic progression in the Highland and Northside to counties by 15-30%.
What will this mean for Spartanburg and beyond?
What will this mean for Spartanburg and beyond?
By 2030, an additional 550 children in the county will be school-ready. Over the entire investment period, that’s an additional 1,800 schoolready kids.
An additional 350 kids will be on track for school readiness, proficient in K-12, and completing their postsecondary education.
All 5,000 neighborhood residents will benefit from even stronger local community institutions, grassroots leaders, housing improvements, positive economic impacts, and high quality equitable services.
Post-Secondary Attainment Impact The number of Spartanburg County high school graduates enrolling in postsecondary education will increase within one year to 70%, with an additional 1,000 degrees and 500 certifications received per year by the 2030-2031 school year. What will this mean for Spartanburg and beyond? By 2030, an additional 1,400 individuals will have degrees and certifications each year. Over the entire investment period, that’s an additional 4,500 individuals.
Tangible improvements in built and economic environments will be made building on existing neighborhood transformation plans.
Our Partners Movement 2030 is a coalition of public, private, and nonprofit organizations across Spartanburg County, supported by national foundations.
Movement 2030 is grateful to the following groups and individuals for their continued collaboration, ideas, and support: + Community leaders from the Highland and Northside neighborhoods + Grassroots level stakeholders + Public sector supporters + Community partners, advisory group, working group, and accountability partners who have volunteered their time and support 4
Blue Meridian Movement 2030 is funded in part by Blue Meridian Partners’ Place Matters portfolio, which provides capital to local, backbone organizations that lead placebased partnerships, as well as national organizations, like StriveTogether, that support the success of those partnerships. Spartanburg is one of three communities across the country, along with San Antonio and Dallas, receiving funding from Blue Meridian in the fall of 2023.
Movement 2030 is also backed by regional and local funders, including but not limited to the Duke Endowment and the Mary Black Foundation. The budget for Movement 2030’s efforts was designed in concert with plan development, and funds will be deployed via selected partners, which are responsible for plan implementation. Grounded in shared accountability, Movement 2030’s progress will be measured according to
carefully designed evidencebased metrics, with a focus on continuous improvement and transparent reporting to community stakeholders.
Join the Movement We need your help to make sure we can meet our goal to dramatically advance economic mobility and educational attainment in Spartanburg County. Donate Online donations are accepted through the Spartanburg County Foundation. To donate by mail, please send a check to the address below, and put in the memo line or include a note “Movement 2030 [02333]”: Spartanburg County Foundation 424 East Kennedy St. Spartanburg, SC 29302
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A bold initiative to advance economic mobility and educational attainment in Spartanburg County. 864.573.5804 movement2030.org