Matching the Greatest Need With the Greatest Opportunity

We facilitate a five-step, community-centered process designed to match the unmet needs local individuals and families identify as barriers to prosperity with proven organizations. In each of our locations, we partner with a Selection Advisory Council (SAC) made up of local leaders, residents and experts. Every year, we prioritize a pressing need and select an organization with a track record of success addressing that need elsewhere in the country. We invite them into the community and provide collaborative support so they quickly take root and deliver change.
An image of an adult sitting next to children as there are rows of individuals behind them in a classroom.
A green illustration of three people graphics sitting at a table with a thought bubble overhead.
A blue illustration of a thought bubble with a map of the United States inside it and a magnifying glass intersecting the bubble, representing our search process.
A purple illustration of three people graphics sitting at a table with a thought bubble overhead with a house inside.
An image of a green open hand with leaves above it, representing need.
A blue illustration of increasing in slope blocks stacked next to each other with an increasing line overhead, representing impact.
  1. 1

    We Discover

    Through hundreds of community conversations, we elevate and prioritize unmet needs often resulting from racial and economic disparities where an innovative program could make a significant difference locally.

  2. 2

    We Scout

    Our local team searches the country and deeply vets evidence-based programs best suited to effectively tackle the identified unmet needs locally.

  3. 3

    We Select

    In partnership with the Selection Advisory Council, we select an innovative program with significant, measurable results and the best local fit.

  4. 4

    We Invest

    We help the selected organization reach and sustain impact locally with multiyear unrestricted funding, on-the-ground support and strategic partnership development.

  5. 5

    We Measure

    With each portfolio organization, we identify and set multiyear programmatic and financial targets and provide support to reach those targets. We report on those measures annually.

  1. 1

    We Discover

    Through hundreds of community conversations, we elevate and prioritize unmet needs often resulting from racial and economic disparities where an innovative program could make a significant difference locally.

  2. 2

    We Scout

    Our local team searches the country and deeply vets evidence-based programs best suited to effectively tackle the identified unmet needs locally.

  3. 3

    We Select

    In partnership with the Selection Advisory Council, we select an innovative program with significant, measurable results and the best local fit.

  4. 4

    We Invest

    We help the selected organization reach and sustain impact locally with multiyear unrestricted funding, on-the-ground support and strategic partnership development.

  5. 5

    We Measure

    With each portfolio organization, we identify and set multiyear programmatic and financial targets and provide support to reach those targets. We report on those measures annually.

A green illustration of three people graphics sitting at a table with a thought bubble overhead.
A blue illustration of a thought bubble with a map of the United States inside it and a magnifying glass intersecting the bubble, representing our search process.
A purple illustration of three people graphics sitting at a table with a thought bubble overhead with a house inside.
An image of a green open hand with leaves above it, representing need.
A blue illustration of increasing in slope blocks stacked next to each other with an increasing line overhead, representing impact.

What Our Community is Saying

“GreenLight’s innovative approach toward scaling what works is one of the keys to unlocking opportunity for so many. My partners and I are proud to support this critical mission.”

A headshot of John Connaughton with a blurred city skyline in the background.

John Connaughton

Co-Managing Partner, Bain Capital

“GreenLight’s thoughtful, intentional and sustainable approach, in partnership with local stakeholders, is what so many communities need to shift outcomes toward equitable opportunity.”

A headshot of Randi Tepper with a building in the background.

Randi Tepper

The Tepper Foundation

“GreenLight has shown us the difference it makes to be ‘pulled’ into a community rather than to ‘push’ our way in as we had done with previous expansions. I wish there was a GreenLight in every city in our expansion roadmap!”

A headshot of Rafael Alverez with a blurred background.

Rafael Alvarez

Founder, Genesys Works

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