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KConnect 101

Shaping Systemic Change Through Collaboration

Vision: A future where every child and family has the opportunity and support to thrive, no matter their starting point.

Mission: We connect people, organizations, and data to mobilize collective action for lasting systems change. 

KConnect Team at StriveTogether

Our History

Born from local leadership discussions in Kent County, KConnect has grown into a dynamic networking advancing change in Michigan and across the country. We tackle educational and opportunity gaps from prenatal care through career development, creating measurable impact where it matters most.

2013

KConnect Releases Common Agenda & Roadmap

In April 2013, KConnect’s first Common Agenda and Roadmap was developed and published. Laying the groundwork for this initiative, the Kent County Family and Children’s Coordinating Council acted to develop a community-based Collective Impact effort funded by local foundations. Kent County offered project management and convening of a cross-sector Steering Committee of twenty-one leaders from across the county.

2017

KConnect Publishes Data Dashboard

KConnect launched their publicly accessible, disaggregated data dashboard for Kent County, providing insights into key metrics across health, education, family income, and the prenatal-to-career continuum. This tool enables community members and decision-makers to explore disparities by race, income, and geography, fostering data-informed strategies to promote equity and systemic change.

2023

KConnect Releases Common Agenda & Roadmap 2.0

In celebration of its 10-year anniversary, KConnect unveiled the Common Agenda and Roadmap 2.0, a refreshed strategic framework designed to guide the next phase of collective action in Kent County. Developed through extensive community engagement, this updated roadmap outlines six high-leverage activities aimed at dismantling systemic inequities and fostering economic prosperity for all residents.

2024

KConnect Launches National Consultancy, ConnectUS

KConnect launched ConnectUs, a national consultancy designed to share its collective impact expertise with communities nationwide and bring back innovative practices to Kent County. By engaging in cross-regional collaboration, ConnectUs aims to accelerate systems change locally while contributing to a broader movement for equity and opportunity nationwide.

2024

KConnect Develops First Shared Policy Agenda

KConnect developed its first cross-sector, community-informed Shared Policy Agenda, uniting diverse stakeholders to advance equitable policies that address systemic disparities in Kent County. This agenda reflects a commitment to ensuring all residents have equitable access to economic prosperity, with a focus on engaging those with lived experience in the policy-making process.

Our Focus

We Support Every Stage of a Person's Journey

KConnect and our partners drive equitable, data-informed systems that support every milestone, from prenatal care through career success and beyond.

Early Childhood

K-12 Academic Success

Post-Secondary Completion

Career Success

Home & Family Stability

Our Network

A Cross-Sector Coalition Driving Systemic Change

We are more than a backbone organization—we’re a complex system of teams and partners working in tandem to create lasting change. Our network includes our Cross-Cutting Workgroups, Align & Design Teams, Board Members, Backbone Staff and the Accountability Partners Council (APC).

What sets us apart: We use data and community voice to connect existing systems, rather than building new ones or managing them.

Workplan

How We Align Outcomes & Create Impactful Change

Our work covers the entire prenatal-to-career journey, guided by 8 success measures developed by our network. We track 27 key indicators that help align community efforts and drive meaningful change.

This structure allows our network members to identify where their expertise and resources can best drive community impact.

How Our Workplan Drives Action:

Success Measures

8 benchmarks spanning the prenatal to career continuum.

Indicators

27 specific “swim lanes” representing focus areas for systemic improvement.

Entry Points

Clear pathways for organizations and individuals to engage where their mission aligns.

Explore Our Workplan

Interactive Workplan Coming Soon!

KConnect Workplan 2025_Page_2
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Accountability + Transparency

The Accountability Partners Council (APC)

The APC brings together diverse stakeholders to help shape our collective work. Using our established Voting Protocol, we ensure every community member has a voice in the decisions that drive systemic change.

This collaborative process strengthens nonprofit partnerships and helps us continuously improve our approach — achieving more together than we could alone.

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