Growing and Leading with Purpose 2023 Impact Report
Growing and Leading with Purpose
The mission of Union Capital Boston is to transform social capital into opportunity by rewarding community engagement. Our vision is that community collaboration cultivates equity for all Bostonians.
Founded in 2014, Union Capital Boston is almost a decade old. We have moved through our start-up stages and overcome the exhausting challenges of the pandemic. Now in our ninth year, UCB has entered a new stage of growth and purpose.
This past year UCB embraced our new hybrid reality, launched our new leadership programs, and invested in the sustainability of our talented team. We refined our mobile rewards app, strengthened our community partnerships, and welcomed the invitation to pilot our model in Springfield, MA.
Most importantly, we continued to provide vast resources, host hundreds of community gatherings (both virtual and in-person again), build thousands of relationships, and award hundreds of thousands of dollars for our members taking actions that strengthen our community. These daily repeated actions serve as the foundation for creating social capital: the connecting of resources and relationships that build power and opportunity in our community.
“ I thank God for UCB allowing me to provide services for people in my community and getting to socialize with other people. At the same token the UCB Visa gift cards are a financial blessing too.“
unioncapitalboston.org •• 2023 Impact Report •• Growing and Leading with Purpose
UCB Member
Growing and Leading with Purpose
We invite you to read our Impact Report and review the gains our members are making, both quantitative and qualitative. Our members report measurable employment gains, improved finances, and higher voter participation. Our members also report immeasurable benefits for their mental health, self-worth, and sense of collective power.
We are grateful to our Core Team, our Network Coordinators, Board of Directors, Advisors, partner organizations, and countless members, allies, and supporters who bring our mission to life.
This past year our Board made an incredible investment in the sustainability of our team by creating a new Restorative Leave policy, providing for a 3-month paid sabbatical for all Core Team members with five years of service. Both our Lead Organizer and Director of Networks were able to take these 3-month leaves over the past year and return to work restored, with a renewed commitment to our mission. Along with demonstrating new ways to build power and opportunity in our community, UCB is proud to also demonstrate new ways to build sustainable nonprofit organizations.
As we enter into our tenth year, we look forward to continuing to grow and lead with purpose, both in Boston and beyond.
With deep gratitude for our collective community,
The UCB Core Team
Diana Garcia // Network Manager
Semhar Habtehans // Network Support Administrator
Shavonne Herrington // Director of Partnerships
Dennis Hicks // Director of Leadership
Eric Leslie // Founder/Lead Organizer
Jalina Suggs // Director of Networks
unioncapitalboston.org •• 2023 Impact Report •• Growing and Leading with Purpose
Quantifying Community Engagement in 2022
The need for social capital is personal and collective; our community benefits when we get a job or advance our education, and we benefit when neighbors do as well. The decline of social capital is harder to measure than decreases in financial or human capital, but it can be just as devastating.
Upwards of 80% of all jobs in the United States are obtained through personal networks. It is not just a matter of what you know or how much money you have; accessing successful employment is about having a broad and diverse network that can connect you with resources, and references to open doors. These relationships and resources are not just beneficial for obtaining a job, they impact every facet of our lives, from educational
Engagement of individuals improves economic prospects for communities, but those with less time, income, and resources cannot always choose volunteerism over making ends meet. Providing an invitation, incentive, relationship, and connection to resources lifts barriers, sparks social capital, and builds collective power.
The UCB mobile rewards app aggregates hundreds of resources in a calendar. Members access opportunities, such as workshops and community events. Members log their activity to earn Points, earning Visa gift cards. Average engaged members earn about $200 per year (non-taxable maximum of $500 per year).
In 2022, almost 3,700 UCB Members tracked over 185,000 hours in the UCB App for engagement activities ranging from school
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Quantifying Community Engagement in 2022 185,659 0.34 3,696 928 $142,825 TOTAL HOURS TOTAL MEMBERS ACTIVE MEMBERS AMOUNT AWARDED UNION CAPITAL INDEX 6k 4k 2k 0k HOURS PARTICIPATED PER DAY BOSTON 170 168 165 164 154 153 140 119 115 108 Boston Builds Credit Virtual Resource Workshop - 500 point 2022-03-24 Boston Builds Credit Resource Night - 500 points per hour! 2022-01-27 Online Meeting Webinar Performance, Festival Political Activity, Rally, Advocacy, event Health Workshop Boston Health Commission Town Hall - 1000 points per hour 2022-06-14 Duet Information Sessions - 1000 bonus points 2022-03-01 BPS Family Resource Night - 500 points per hour 2022-04-25 Dana Farber Cancer Institute - Faces of Faith - 1000 points 2022-06-02 Boston Builds Credit Resource Night - 500 points per hour! 2022-05-17 Roxbury, Dorchetser, Mattapan MBTA Bus Focus Group 2022-05-31 MADRC Virtual Partner Night - 500 points per hour 2022-08-24 East Boston, Revere, North Shore MBTA Bus Focus Group 2022-06-13 TOP EVENTS - TOTAL ATTENDEES UCB MEMBERS BY ZIP CODE TOP 5 ACTIVE CATEGORY HOURS 21,122 1,791 3,821 4,286 UCB 2022 DATA 10/2/22 9/4/22 8/7/22 7/3/22 6/5/22 5/1/22 4/3/22 3/6/22 2/6/22 1/02/22 11/6/22 12/4/22 2 8 32 87 211 11 502 148 437 433 224 73 1 107 17 18 54 17 10 2 36 17 3 3 1 7 1 20 15 8 32 6 20 4 3 386 8 215 81 21 1 12 27 2 2 3 12 145 Meeting Workshop 5,913 page 4 unioncapitalboston.org •• 2023 Impact Report •• Growing and Leading with Purpose
The Impact of UCB Visa Gift Cards
2%
5%
31%
Groceries
25%
Household Necessities
Transportation Groceries
Bills
Household Necessities
Since our founding in 2014, UCB has awarded over $1.7 million in rewards to our members for their community engagement. This averages to about $200 per engaged member per year. While this money does not drive our outcomes alone, it provides additional support in times of need, a recognition for giving back, and an invitation to take a step into our shared community spaces.
We asked our members how they have used their Visa cards this past year. Their feedback demonstrated how it has made a small but valuable impact, in much the same way that mutual aid has made such a difference throughout the pandemic.
“At Christmastime I used my gift cards to buy gifts for my nieces and nephews. Kids look forward to Christmas and it doesn’t matter if we are in a recession, Covid, etc. So I made sure they got toys from ‘Santa’ wink wink. I have used my gift cards to buy groceries, paid my light bill and other bills. These gift cards are a life saver and bill payer!
UCB Member“
page 5 unioncapitalboston.org •• 2023 Impact Report •• Growing and Leading with Purpose
The Impact of UCB Visa Gift Cards
These cards help me out with food, bills, and bus passes. I look forward to them with my husband not working.
The Visa gift cards allow us to stretch every penny. I am very grateful especially during the pandemic. I remembered my great niece didn’t have baby powder milk and the gift card came in handy. I was also able to support a family friend with a loss.
The UCB gift card was beneficial to my family because I was short on groceries and I remembered I had the $50 gift card. That saved me from the embarrassment of not having enough to pay for my family's groceries.
This card has been a blessing in my family life because thanks to it we have been able to buy more groceries than I could get on my son's WIC card.
The gift card has helped me buy supplies for my classroom. My scholars earned a pizza day and I used it for some very happy children!
This gift card helps a lot because I have to pay too much rent and sometimes I don’t have extra money to buy groceries.
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UCB Member Feedback
While the money that our members earn matters, it is just the beginning of the impact that we seek to achieve. Every December we ask our members to share their life changes and feedback with us in our annual survey. We are able to match their annual responses with their entry survey when they became a UCB Member. In this way we are able to directly track measurable changes for each of our members throughout their membership in UCB. We also receive valuable feedback about our program model as we seek to relentlessly improve.
How involved are you in your community? I identify as a UCB Member. 50 60 40 30 20 10 0 Not Involved Very Involved Little Involved Fairly Involved Very True Mostly True Sort of True A Little True Not True
28% 21% 39% 12% 54% 20% 11% 10% 5%
Results from our December 2022 Survey of over 450 UCB Members:
page 7 unioncapitalboston.org •• 2023 Impact Report •• Growing and Leading with Purpose
UCB Member Feedback
What is your favorite part of UCB?
How likely is it that you would recommend UCB to a friend or colleague?
Net Promoter Score 71
(81% promoters - 10% detractors)
Detractors (0 - 6) = 10%
Passive (7- 8) = 10%
Promoter (9-10) = 81%
Has UCB connected you to any of the following programs, resources or opportunities that have been helpful to you?
Public transportation access and equity Racial/Social
“I'm grateful for the gift card. To be honest, even if there was no gift card, I'd still attend UCB events because I've learned so much!
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 28% 19% 3%
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Adult Education Financial Education Covid/Monkeypox Info Mental/Physical Wellness Youth Education Items or favors from Network Night Marketplace Climate Change and Environmental Awareness 32% 29% 26% 21% 17% 16% 16%
UCB
Member
Public Safety Political Spirituality and Faith Domestic Violence and Cyberbullying Sexuality and Health 15& 14% 13% 11% 10% 8% 5%
Justice
50%
Recognition and
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Event and resource information Earning UCB points and rewards Relationships and support from the UCB community
appreciation
The Impact of Community Engagement in 2022
What is your primary employment status?
What is your Credit Score?
UCB has enabled me to share resources with children and families who are without housing that I volunteer with.
0 10 20 3 0 4 0 50 6 16% 25% 35% 21% 13% 54% 52% 0 0 10 20 3 0 4 0 50 43% 36% 700+ 600-699 Entry Survey December 2022 Below 600 Don’t know Employed full-time Student, Part-time, Out of the workforce Unemployed “
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23% 20% 18% 19% 25% page 9 unioncapitalboston.org •• 2023 Impact Report •• Growing and Leading with Purpose
UCB Member
The Impact of Community Engagement in 2022
“
UCB so much for your
that
of
in
day to
“
Thank you
help and the information
you provide. It helps all
us out
our
day life.
Member
UCB
College degrees: 0 10 20 Graduate/ Doctorate Bachelor’s Did you vote in the November 2022 Election? 25% 13% 62% 8% Associate’s 11% 12% 17% 18% Entry Survey December 2022 No Not eligible Yes page10 unioncapitalboston.org •• 2023 Impact Report •• Growing and Leading with Purpose
Launching the UCB Leadership Program
In 2021, UCB embarked on a new three-year Strategic Plan and a journey to create a new leadership development program. It first began with creating and hiring a new position, the Director of Leadership. With the role filled, the work began immediately to design a program that could be transformative for our members.
challenge their community is facing. The 2nd tier titled UCB Leads invites leaders who are ready to take action and launch their initiatives, creating benefit and impact for the entire UCB community. An additional program, UCB Facilitates, is focused on facilitation training for a select cohort that wants to lead workshop training sessions for the UCB community.
Beginning in November 2021, our new Director of Leadership, Dennis Hicks, gathered insight from members, staff, and partners to design a curriculum for the leadership program. Piloting in the summer of 2022, UCB launched our first pathway titled UCB Learns with 26 UCB Members. Participants learned the principles of the Public Narrative and explored their call to lead others in an effort to make a difference in an urgent
Investing in our members’ leadership development has two reciprocal benefits. First, individual leaders develop their professional skills, which they can utilize in a multitude of capacities and increase their opportunities for employment and impact. Second, the efforts that leaders launch and grow directly benefit our members, who utilize the services they provide, patronize the businesses they launch, and benefit from the civic actions and policies that they influence.
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Launching the UCB Leadership Program
In the first year of the pilot program, leaders that completed our full UCB Learns and Leads cohorts developed their plans to address student debt, raise awareness about mental health, improve conditions of homeless shelters, and support families experiencing community violence. They presented their Public Narratives and calls to action at the launch of the Thomas J. Ruffen Community Leadership Fund in January 2023. The Fund is established in partnership with The Boston Foundation to invest initial funding support of up to $10,000 in our newly trained leaders who are proposing to turn their stories and passions into real projects and action.
During the summer of 2023, UCB Facilitates will relaunch with a new curriculum designed to train members on designing workshops as part of our new Community Stewards program. Leaders will be trained to offer workshops led by UCB Members for UCB Members that will be offered
In 2023, the program continues to inspire our members to lead. The current cohort of UCB Learns began in January with UCB Leads being offered to participants who want to pursue developing their call-to-action into an event, program, activity, or the creation of a community organization.
and thankful for being one of those selected to participate. I had an amazing experience and connected with some amazing individuals who I will consider partnering with in other programs going forward.
“
“
UCB Member
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Leadership Program Overview: Launching the UCB Leadership Program
UCB Learns: Participants explore their call to lead through the concept of Public Narrative and storytelling.
UCB Facilitates: Participants develop skills and build their confidence in the art of facilitation and curriculum development.
UCB Leads: Participants continue to fine-tune their Public Narrative and explore ways to bring to life their call-to-action through the creation of an event, activity, or organization for their community.
UCB Learns // July 2022
62 Applicants
26 Accepted
22 Completed
UCB Learns helped me feel empowered to address community challenges.
58% Strongly Agree
42% Agree
UCB Facilitates // September 2022
9 Applicants
6 Accepted
UCB Facilitates helped me to meet the needs of adult learners
100% Strongly Agree
UCB Leads // November 2022
12 Applicants
12 Accepted
8 Completed
UCB Leads helped me to confidently share my narrative publicly
80% Strongly Agree
20% Agree
UCB Leads helped me feel more prepared to make a difference in my community.
40% Strongly Agree
60% Agree
I am better able to approach people and talk with them. Leading breakout groups is good practice to get comfortable talking to others.
“
UCB Member
6 Completed page13 unioncapitalboston.org •• 2023 Impact Report •• Growing and Leading with Purpose
Launching the UCB Leadership Program
As our leadership programming continues to take shape, so do our measurable goals. We continue to seek feedback from our participants and learn how our programs can make the best impact possible. Based on our results so far, in the coming year we hope to:
Fully train 10 new grassroots Boston leaders in developing a plan of action
Create a tracking system for leaders to report back on their results and impact from our trainings including: number of people benefiting from their programs, funds raised, hours of workshops provided, and new EINs created
Support 5-10 leaders landing new job opportunities and/or streams of income from their new initiatives and workshops as a result of UCB leadership training.
Community Leadership Fund into new leaders launching their first initiative, project, website, program series, etc as a means of them establishing new organizations and campaigns that create sustainable impact in our community.
“ This
a great experience and I enjoyed networking and sharing ideas of community realities with others in my community.
was
“
UCB Member
page14 unioncapitalboston.org •• 2023 Impact Report •• Growing and Leading with Purpose
Growing with Purpose in 2023 and Beyond
As detailed in the previous pages, over the past year UCB Members have made personal and professional gains, earned support for their action, and taken on leadership to improve our community.
Looking ahead to 2023 and beyond, we see implications for our work at all three levels of our Civic Engagement model:
LEAD
& ORGANIZE ATTEND & SHARE CONNECT
to address community concerns, Network Coordinator Fellowship Program
Network Nights & partner events, sharing info and resources Join the UCB app and recieve email/text information & resources
Organize
Attend
AT LEVEL 1 we aim to welcome new UCB Members, growing to over 4,000 participants. Through our dozens of community partnerships in Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan and East Boston, we plan to continue to share program resources and opportunities via our mobile rewards app and digital communications. If you are interested in learning more about our app and rewards program, please contact Jalina Suggs, our Director of Networks, at jalina.suggs@unioncapital.org & COMMUNICATE 32 page15 unioncapitalboston.org •• 2023 Impact Report •• Growing and Leading with Purpose
Growing with Purpose in 2023 and Beyond
At Level 2 we are excited to safely and successfully return to in-person programming, hosting Network Nights across the city and seasonal Resource Fairs. We have also begun to host more specific youth programs for our teen members in Boston Public Schools and focus groups with our members who are men. Our Partner Nights continue to grow in value, providing an opportunity for organizations to directly connect with our members about health, finance, education, and community resources. If you are interested in learning more about our partnership programs and gatherings, please contact
At Level 3 as detailed on our previous pages, we plan to continue to grow our leadership training workshops and measure their impact. Additionally, our Network Coordinator program continues to serve as a pipeline for leadership development for our partnership organizations. We co-identify, hire, train, and stipend over 25 leaders from our partner schools, health centers, community development corporations, and social service organizations. If you are interested in learning more about our leadership training programs and opportunities for mentorship, please contact
Along with our continued growth in Boston, we are excited to share that later this year we will officially launch our second site, Union Capital Springfield! We invite you to learn more about our initial pilot in Springfield and our partnership with New North Citizens’ Council, North End Community Connects, and the MassMutual Foundation. Please visit our Pilot Report at: https://bit.ly/NECCPilotReport
If you are interested in learning more about our initial work in Springfield, please contact Eric Leslie, our Lead Organizer, at eric.leslie@unioncapital.org
Dennis Hicks, our Director of Leadership, at dennis.hicks@unioncapital.org
Shavonne Herrington, our Director of Partnerships, at shavonne.herrington@unioncapital.org
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Income Sources
Direct Public Grants
Direct Corporate Contributions
Direct Individual Contributions
Program Income
Expenses
Total Income Salaries and Benefits
UCB Rewards Program
UCB Network Nights & Events
Fundraising Expenses
Leadership Programs
Operations & Technology
Total Expenses
FY23 - Boston
FY24 - Boston & Springfield
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$492,000 $168,000 $33,000 $25,000 $178,000 $164,000 $1,060,000 $657,000 $180,000 $68,000 $25,000 $170,000 $284,000 $1,384,000 $567,000 $115,000 $150,000 $267,000 $1,060,000 $802,000 $162,000 $178,000 $275,000 $1,417,000
UCB Board of Directors
Josh Varon Chair - Legal Counsel, MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
R. Nikki Barnes Vice Chair - Executive Director at KIPP MA
Michael Perez Treasurer - Owner, Perez Law
Melanie Nevin Clerk - Counsel at US Litigation & Investigations at Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.
E. Peter Alvarez Emeritis Chair - Senior Vice President, Atlantic Global Risk
Tracye’ B. Booth Board Member at Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative (Co-Chair Substantable Committee); UCB Member
Sheena Collier Founder and CEO at the Collier Connection and Boston While Black
Charles B. Green III Associate Director of Retail Operations at Boston Medical Center - Morrison Health Care; UCB Member
Brian Hale Technology consultant
Dr. Tariana V. Little CEO of EmVision Productions
Claudia Osorio Cleaning services, Roxbury Prep; UCB Member
Catherine Owens Artist, consultant
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All of our impact is only accomplished thanks to the incredible work of our Core Team, and a diverse array of allies, partners and supporters. We especially want to thank:
THANK YOU
OUR PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS:
Boston Medical Center - MA Community Engagement Alliance
Boston Builds Credit - United Way of Massachusetts Bay
Boston Impact Initiative
Boston Public Schools: Adams, Burke, CASH, Hennigan, Dr. King
Boston Ujima Project
Boston University CTSI Community Engagement Program
Brigham Women’s Hospital Stronger Generations
Codman Square Health Center
Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Duet
East Boston Neighborhood Health Center
East Boston Social Centers - Every Child Shines
Greater Boston Interfaith Organization
Higher Ground Boston
Jewish Family & Children Services
KIPP MA
Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center
NOAH
Nuestra Comunidad
Parent Support Program - The Home for Little Wanderers
Project Bread
Project Hope SchoolFacts Boston
Transitional Remedies Solutions
UP Academy Boston
Urban Edge
Vital CXNs
page19 unioncapitalboston.org •• 2023 Impact Report •• Growing and Leading with Purpose
“ We have been so enriched by the participation of some incredible UCB members. We are so fortunate to have them involved and sharing their insights and expertise with us and our partners.“
UCB Partner Organization
THANK YOU
UCB ADVISORY COUNCIL
Dan Binder-Brantley
Jen Block
Brad Braufman
Lina Cañon
Vetto Casado
Lucy Darragh
Mattie Deed
Emilio Dorcely
Katie Everett
Jennifer Gilbert
Rick Grudzinski
Delisa Joseph
Mike Kincade
Jeff Kushner
Rebecca Lin
Josh McFadden
Terry McManus
Jack McPadden
Christian Putnam
Rich Schneider
Luc Schuster
Matt Stein
OUR NETWORK COORDINATORS:
Erika Roxana Aguirre
Sujey Bernardino
Ka'Lorraine Collado
Shondell Davis
Erin DiCarlo
Odette Escobar
OUR NETWORK COORDINATORS:
Elsa Flores
Connie Forbes
Zenaida Gonzalez
Lissi Guerrero
Janet Iraola
Dymon Lee
Karla Mckennis
Faith Morrison
Sonia Satchell
Bishnu Tamang
Pamela Walker
Tasha Waller
Lashaunda Watson
Shakiera White
page 20 unioncapitalboston.org •• 2023 Impact Report •• Growing and Leading with Purpose
THANK YOU
OUR SUSTAINING FUNDERS:
Barr Foundation
Berkshire Bank
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Cabot Family Charitable Trust
Comcast NBCUniversal
Cummings Foundation
Liberty Mutual Foundation
Lynch Foundation
MassMutual Foundation
Needham Bank
NeighborWorks America
One8 Foundation
Paul & Edith Babson Foundation
PNC Bank
The Boston Foundation
Trefler Foundation
Tufts Health Plan
United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley
Wells Fargo
We would like to thank Summer Metcalf, our College for Social Innovation intern this past semester, for her research that helped produce this report, and Michael John “ALIVIXI" Guadarrama
www.sandyrivercustoms.com for his design of this report.
page 21 unioncapitalboston.org •• 2023 Impact Report •• Growing and Leading with Purpose
In February 2023, David Leslie, father of founder Eric Leslie, passed away at the age of 75. In so many ways
UCB represents the values, practices, and life that David lived, and that is no coincidence. David lived a life of service, love of family and friends, and commitment to community. We dedicate this Impact Report and our continued commitment to our mission in David’s honor. He is dearly missed and deeply loved.
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Support our work at: https://www.unioncapitalboston.org/donate unioncapitalboston.org •• 2023 Impact Report •• Growing and Leading with Purpose