Ballmer Group

Get to know our grantee: The National Black Child Development Institute fights for the creation of an equitable and just future for Black children and families. It does this by mobilizing communities and igniting movements to foster a sense of community and belonging where Black children feel supported and valued. NBCDI delivers culturally relevant resources to Black communities centered around their Eight Essential Outcomes. Our grant supports NBCDI as it increases the impact of its Family Empowerment Program, which equips Black families with the knowledge, tools, and skills needed to foster their children's learning and development. https://lnkd.in/epqHKgJU

Congrats to Ballmer Group grantee iMentor! It's their 25th anniversary, and the organization is evolving its mission to include innovative technology for connecting students to mentors, partnerships with colleges for support in transitions, career-connected learning throughout college, and counseling for job placement as students near graduation. They also recently launched the first-ever National "Bring Your Mentee to Work Day!" https://lnkd.in/gJNuerGp

Learn more about our grantee, the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), through this impact update:   CEO recently announced the expansion of its Advanced Training Pathways program to provide people with criminal records access to high-quality, well-paying careers in fields with fewer barriers to entry, such as commercial driving, heavy equipment operation, fiber optic technology, solar installation, skilled construction trades, and information technology. By helping people gain training and credentials, CEO provides a promising start and reduces barriers to jobs that pay family wages. https://lnkd.in/g3z8Nv8R

Congratulations to our grantee, A Way Home WA! The Seattle Times writes about their success in reducing youth and young adult homelessness by 40%.

The Families and Workers Fund just announced the Benefits Access and Equity Initiative, a five-year, $45+ million philanthropic effort to strengthen the U.S. public benefits system and build economic security. Partnering with government and nonprofits, they aim to support the delivery of $3.5 billion in public benefits like unemployment insurance, SNAP, and Medicaid to 1.5 million people across the country. Funders in civic tech, poverty, hunger, or any mission related to economic security and opportunity are encouraged to learn more and get involved at https://lnkd.in/gCpmXKNy.

Let's hear from our recently promoted staff about their exciting new roles and what they are looking forward to.    Emma Uman, Director, National Career Success  Ballmer Group’s Career Success portfolio focuses on expanding access to high quality training and education experiences that yield increased employment and earnings outcomes. expanding pathways and eliminating college and workforce training barriers. As the National Director, I develop strategy and lead grantmaking focused on supporting young adults in reaching their employment ambitions.  

Let's hear from our recently promoted staff about their exciting new roles and what they are looking forward to.    Rinia Shelby-Crooms, Portfolio Manager, Southeast Michigan  As a Portfolio Manager, I am responsible for developing and managing local and regional investments focused on various aspects of Ballmer Group Southeast Michigan’s portfolio, including criminal and youth justice. 

Let's hear from our recently promoted staff about their exciting new roles and what they are looking forward to.    Nina Revoyr, Executive Director, Los Angeles and National Public Safety:  I lead Ballmer Group’s work in Los Angeles, where I direct strategy and investments across all Ballmer Group Impact Areas to improve economic mobility for children and families in the region and state. Building off work and lessons from Los Angeles, I have spent the last three years developing Ballmer Group’s national work in Public Safety, which encompasses Community Violence Intervention, Alternative Crisis Response, and Police Reform.  

Let's hear from our recently promoted staff about their exciting new roles and what they are looking forward to.    Andi Smith, Executive Director, Washington and National Behavioral Health:  I manage the Washington State team, where we work with our community leaders, government, and nonprofit partners to increase family stability, decrease family stress, and help children, youth, and families nurture supportive relationships. Mental well-being is a central focus for Team Washington across all our areas of giving, whether it's early learning, K-12, college and career, child welfare, or homelessness. 

Let's hear from our recently promoted staff about their exciting new roles and what they are looking forward to.    Joseph Devall, Director, Los Angeles and National Criminal Justice Reform:  Ballmer Group's Justice Reform portfolio focuses on reducing the criminal legal system's barriers to Black male economic mobility by 1) reducing unnecessary incarceration of individuals who do not pose a danger to society, 2) reducing recidivism and increasing re-entry success; and 3) eliminating excessive fines, fees, and drivers’ license suspensions that increase poverty, family stress, and drive deeper entanglement with the criminal legal system.