With the goal of motivating a broader swath of philanthropists to make well-informed, actionable "big bets" to catalyze social change, The Bridgespan Group launched an ambitious research project in partnership with Bridgespan Fellow Jim Shelton. The intent: determine how private donors can best invest to increase upward social mobility…

This work is part of a larger set of conversations on how philanthropic capital can better deliver potent results. This paper is intended for philanthropists and foundation staff who are interested in understanding not only which issues and interventions might put many more low-income people on an upward trajectory, but also how private donors can…

The past year highlighted and heightened California's key challenges. Millions of Californians lost jobs and income during the COVID-19 crisis; low-income families, communities of color, and women were hit hardest. As schools and universities shifted rapidly to remote learning, educators and parents scrambled to provide all students with…