Community Partnerships & Coordination
Building connected systems where organizations operate with shared visibility and aligned practices.
Overview
The foundation's work in this area focuses on strengthening how organizations operate together across a shared ecosystem. Current efforts are concentrated in Alabama through out-of-school time networks, while also expanding into broader ecosystem development and cross-sector coordination.
This work combines evaluation, data infrastructure, and facilitation to help partners move from informal collaboration to structured coordination.
What We Are Working On
Across statewide OST partnerships, Continuum Nexus implementation, and ecosystem building initiatives, the foundation is actively supporting organizations in moving from operating in isolation to working within a connected system that better serves families and youth.
Current Initiatives
Active work supporting organizations in building connected, coordinated systems.
Statewide OST Ecosystem Support (Alabama)
Through ASAP-funded partnerships and related initiatives, we are supporting multiple organizations across Birmingham and Montgomery.
Current work includes:
- Acting as an evaluation and data partner across sites
- Facilitating shared learning across program operators
- Supporting alignment of attendance, engagement, and reporting practices
- Coordinating communication between partners and stakeholders
Continuum Nexus Implementation
Continuum Nexus serves as the shared infrastructure layer for coordination across organizations.
Current work includes:
- Tracking youth participation across multiple programs
- Documenting family engagement and referral activity
- Building dashboards for program leaders and partners
- Supporting real-time decision making using program data
Cross-Organization Coordination Structures
We are helping partners establish consistent ways of working together that move collaboration from informal to structured.
Current work includes:
- Regular partner coordination meetings grounded in data
- Shared referral and follow-up processes
- Alignment of program calendars and engagement strategies
- Development of joint initiatives across organizations
Ecosystem Building Beyond Individual Programs
In addition to direct program partnerships, the foundation is developing broader ecosystem strategies that connect:
- Youth programs
- Schools and districts
- Cultural organizations
- Workforce and career exposure partners
This work focuses on reducing fragmentation and improving continuity for young people across different environments.
Why This Matters
Young people move across multiple systems every day. When those systems operate independently, gaps appear in participation, support, and opportunity.
Coordinated ecosystems create more consistent experiences and allow organizations to respond collectively rather than in isolation.