Map of NPSS Aligned Work

2023 Community Collaboration Challenge: Outcome Brief

In early 2023, the National Partnership for Student Success (NPSS) launched a competitive RFP process for the Community Collaboration Challenge stipend/microgrant competition (made possible by the New York Life Foundation) in which representatives from 120 public agencies and nonprofit organizations applied for the Challenge. All applications underwent a rigorous screening process with review from NPSS Hub leaders and education and youth development experts.

While initially planning to grant 10-12 awards, we ultimately chose 21 organizations or agencies in communities in 19 different states to support them in hosting community connector events to bring diverse stakeholders together, identify assets and challenges, and set goals for implementing, improving, or expanding high-impact student supports for young people in their communities.

High-Level Information:

  • 21 Awardees

  • 19 States

  • 120+ Applicants

  • 1400+ Attendees

  • $105K in Awards

We were able to reach a large audience with 21+ events hosted, with several reaching in over 100 attendees ensuring impact in the thousands. All five NPSS support areas were covered across these events, some more focused on only one or two areas and some covering all five support areas. Anchoring this work in communities created much needed space and place for various organizations, voices, and stakeholders to come together and the need for collaboration was clear across numerous awardee experiences.

Awardees Include:


State Program City Organization
AL Birmingham Birmingham Education Foundation
AZ Tempe Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College
CA San Jose Innovate Public Schools – San Jose
DC Washington George Washington University
FL Opa-locka The Carrie Meek Foundation, Inc.
IN Merrillville Coates Inc
KY Hazard Teach for America Appalachia
MA Boston Boston Partners in Education
MI Muskegon Boys & Girls Club of Muskegon Lakeshore
NC Elizabeth City Elizabeth City-Pasquotank County Schools
NC Greensboro SHIELD Mentor Program
NE Omaha MENTOR Nebraska
NJ Bridgeton Hopeloft
NY Buffalo City Year Buffalo
OK Tulsa Growing Together
PA Philadelphia University of Pennsylvania
TX Pearland HYPE Freedom School, Inc.
TX Cleburne East Cleburne Community Center
VA Glen Allen Richmond Urban Collective
WA Lynwood Homage
VT Burlington MENTOR Vermont

Reference to any non-U.S. government organization, event or product does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation or favoring of that organization, event or product and is strictly for the information and convenience of the public.

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