Every child deserves a chance to have a brighter future, but for many, the odds are against them well before they are born.

Some 80% of children from low-income families can’t read well enough to keep up with their peers. Research shows that if they can’t learn to read on grade-level by the end of third grade, their chances of graduating high school are extremely low. You can imagine that the outlook doesn't improve from there. 

 

The statistics might paint a grim picture, but there's hope for a better tomorrow.

​

Who

The Campaign For Grade-Level Reading is helping these children beat the odds. A network of foundations, nonprofits, government and more than 230 communities nationwide, the Campaign mobilizes leaders to drive strategies that are moving the needle to ensure all children read on grade level by the end of third grade.

​

But with so many advocates and changemakers spanning the nation, how are they working together to amplify each other's efforts? That's where The Huddle comes in. 

​

What

The Huddle is an online community that connects people in foundations, nonprofits, business, government agencies, states and communities as they share promising practices, data, "real talk" and more -- all with the goal of scaling up what works and eliminating what doesn't.

​

As MagnifyGood's team lead, I worked with the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading to revamp its digital "filing cabinet" into a user friendly and vibrant online community that shares promising practices, takes on tough conversations, and exchanges research, data and ideas in real time. I guided the Campaign's hiring process for its first online community manager and consulted over several months to train the community manager in best practices to launch the community, encourage growth and increase engagement.

​

So What?

When we launched The Huddle, we expected 25 highly engaged communities to take part. Through sound strategy and consulting, 168 communities from 39 states are using it to connect and collaborate. That’s 1,500 people and counting working together to help our nation's children reach their full potential.