Economic Mobility Learning Series: Prosperity Initiative
The Economic Mobility Learning Series continued with insights from the Prosperity Initiative, a regional model from Pima County/Tucson, Arizona, that demonstrates how government and community can work together to reduce cycles of generational poverty. The Prosperity Initiative consists of 13 evidence-based policies across education, health, housing, and work, which has been adopted by both Pima County and City of Tucson. To support these efforts, The Community Coalition for Prosperity (CC4P) was formed as a cross-sector effort focused on alignment, implementation, and advocacy.
The Economic Mobility Learning Series serves as part of Greater Houston Community Foundation’s ongoing work to convene leaders, share knowledge, and spark informed conversation around Houston’s most pressing challenges. Through events, learning opportunities, and thought leadership, the Community Foundation continues to bring together donors, partners, and community stakeholders to explore ideas shaping the future of our region.
In this recorded webinar, the Community Foundation is joined by Brook Gilliam, Deputy Director of Community Coalition for Prosperity, Lena Porell, Strategic Planning and Community Engagement Manager at City of Tucson, and Helen Schaffer, Community Workforce Manager II at Pima County.
This session offers valuable lessons and practical insights for Houston leaders, funders, and partners working to create lasting pathways to opportunity.
Key Takeaways
Government leadership changes everything.
What makes The Prosperity Initiative unique is that the common agenda came from the city and county working together and spearheading the work in partnership with non-governmental organizations and community members. When city and county governments take visible ownership of the work draws in cross-sector partners and creates a model for collaborative behavior.
The Prosperity Initiative’s 13 evidence-based policies spanning working, housing, health, and education have given cross-sector partners at the table a common blueprint to align on. Having that shared framework that was formally adopted by the city and county made buy-in and resource alignment possible.
Institutionalizing the work will ensure it continues.
The Prosperity Initiative intentionally wove its policies into long-lived planning documents like the city’s general plan and department-specific strategic plans to institutionalize the work so it becomes part of how government operates and not dependent on who currently holds office.
Start with an inventory before you build anything new.
Before launching new programs or initiatives, leaders conducted a comprehensive scan of what was already being done to help connect siloed efforts to a shared framework, ensuring existing resources were being directed where they could have the most impact and identifying gaps where new work could be additive.
Continue Learning with Us
Greater Houston Community Foundation invites you to join our Economic Mobility Learning Series, which are virtual presentations and discussions on models that advance economic mobility, featuring proven and emerging approaches from across the nation.
Each webinar will explore real-world cross-sector efforts and research that help individuals and families move up the economic ladder.
Webinars are virtual and open to anyone interested in learning about and exploring ideas that could inform efforts to improve economic mobility in Houston, including:
- Nonprofit, philanthropic, public sector, and civic leaders working on economic mobility or related issues.
- Funders and donors interested in learning about evidence-informed strategies and models that advance economic mobility.
- Researchers, practitioners, and community leaders who are curious about what’s working, and why, in other regions.
More Helpful Articles by Greater Houston Community Foundation
- What Houston’s Economic Mobility Coalition is Building Next
- Economic Mobility Learning Series: Leading on Opportunity
- Economic Mobility Learning Series: Child Action Poverty Lab
- Purposeful Giving: Place-Based Philanthropy
- 2026 Community Impact Showcase
- Houston Opportunity Scholarship
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