Blue Meridian Partners has announced three place-based partnerships totaling $150 million in support of community-driven plans designed to break cycles of poverty.

Made as part of the Place Matters portfolio, of which Ballmer Group is an anchor funder, the commitment was divided equally among Dallas, San Antonio, and Spartanburg, South Carolina, catalyzing regional and local funding totaling nearly $335 million tied to each community’s unique multiyear plan to improve critical economic and social mobility outcomes. In addition to funding, all three partnerships are members of the StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network, which provides a rigorous approach to developing the capacities and resources essential for improving outcomes.

In Dallas County, the Commit Partnership and Child Poverty Action Lab’s Opportunity 2040 plan has raised a total of $120 million and aims to cut the number of children living within poverty in half, while doubling the number of young adults attaining a living wage; the Future Ready Bexar County Plan, anchored by UP Partnership, has raised a total of $114 million to increase the percentage of Bexar County high school graduates enrolling in a postsecondary degree or credential program, and to scale three pillars for success—healing, access, and voice—for and with young people; and Movement 2030, led by Spartanburg Academic Movement in Spartanburg County, has raised a total of $100 million and aims to increase the percentage of children entering school ready for success as well as the percentage of high schoolers who enroll in postsecondary education.

“This Place Matters investment reflects Blue Meridian’s belief that place-based partnerships have the potential to significantly improve outcomes for young people and families,” said Blue Meridian Partners president and chief investment and impact officer Jim Shelton. “We are excited about the shared vision held by leaders in each community and how they leveraged our capital to galvanize the resources they need to thrive.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/SDI Productions)