2 minute read
» Blue Meridian Partners
Blue Meridian Partners is a pioneering philanthropic model for finding and funding scalable solutions to the problems that limit economic and social mobility for America’s young people and families in poverty. The Spartanburg Academic Movement (SAM) is proud to be a partner in this effort. Blue Meridian’s Place Matters portfolio aims to improve mobility in communities across the US through investments both in place-based partnerships and in supports to catalyze their success. Blue Meridian knows that solutions to our most complex issues exist, but even the most promising strategies can’t reach far enough nor fast enough without significant, long-term investment. Blue Meridian shares SAM’s belief in the importance of directing capital to scaling solutions that target drivers of poverty from cradle through career. Blue Meridian operates with an “investor mindset but measures success in terms of social impact.” Since 2021, Blue Meridian has invested over $6.3 million in SAM. Spartanburg Academic Movement has utilized this catalytic investment to advance the following: » Aiding an Equitable Recovery: Providing over $2 million in pandemic response supports and subgrants for out of school time providers, blended learning, tutoring, mentoring, childcare and family supports, faith community groups, public libraries, school districts, and scholarships. » Supporting Neighborhoods: SAM is directly supporting the Highland and Northside neighborhood transformation planning with a focus on creating youth and family supports through a multigenerational planning effort. » Strengthening Spartanburg’s Data and Policy Capacity: SAM supported the recent launch of
Strategic Spartanburg (formerly the Spartanburg Community Indicators Project) as a nonprofit community data lab to continue providing vital comprehensive community progression data for
Advertisement
Spartanburg County. » Strengthening our Organization: SAM is growing its capacity to support the community as a backbone organization while ensuring long-term sustainability of its strategic development plan. » Creating an Aligned Comprehensive Investment Plan: SAM has partnered with The Bridgespan
Group to assist in developing a shared community plan that aligns and builds on existing planning efforts throughout Spartanburg County. The core focus of the planning centers economic mobility for families and students in Spartanburg and will support cradle to career community alignment.
Blue Meridian Partners has committed to more than a dozen place-based partnerships – shown here – from California to the Carolinas, including Spartanburg, South Carolina.
