Detroit’s Focus: HOPE Deepening Economic Equity Efforts through Digital Transformation
DETROIT, January 20, 2021 – In order to weave a stronger and more responsive safety net for working families seeking resources from Focus: HOPE, the Detroit nonprofit organization is making concerted, unified efforts to swiftly identify those participants who may benefit from cross-referrals. Focus: HOPE is investing in several initiatives to support this effort, including campus-wide digital transformation and innovations in existing programming.
Digital transformation efforts will focus upon expanding Focus: HOPE’s intake efficiencies, including building out and tweaking processes, data collection and sharing, and point-of-service technologies that will more swiftly identify opportunities for families to increase earning potential and income stability. Measurable outcomes will include a greater number of referrals between the organization’s programs and resources, thus braiding together support for resilient families. Additionally, the comprehensive initiative will integrate implementation of upgraded technology; a public-facing, digital dashboard reporting program outputs and outcomes; a digitally-enhanced internal dashboard allowing leadership and staff to collect and analyze real-time data; and the development of technology and mobile solutions within the agency’s suite of programs.
In support of Focus: HOPE’s efforts to achieve its mission of education and economic success focusing on the relationship between economic equity and early childhood education, W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) has awarded the organization a two-year, $500,000 general operating support grant. “The Kellogg Foundation’s support will be instrumental as we work diligently to deepen our ability to promote equitable opportunities for all metro Detroiters,” said Focus: HOPE CEO Portia Roberson.
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About Focus: HOPE
Focus: HOPE is a nationally recognized civil and human rights organization founded in 1968 after the Detroit civil disturbance. Over the past half-century, Focus: HOPE has developed numerous programs in its efforts to overcome racism, poverty and injustice in the core areas of early learning, youth development, workforce training, food justice, and advocacy. As a result, thousands of individuals have achieved financial independence. For more information, visit www.focushope.edu.
About W.K. Kellogg Foundation
The Kellogg Foundation, founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal innovator and entrepreneur Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive, WKKF works with communities to create conditions for vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in school, work and life.
The Kellogg Foundation is based in Battle Creek, Michigan, and works throughout the United States and internationally, as well as with sovereign tribes. Special attention is paid to priority places where there are high concentrations of poverty and where children face significant barriers to success. WKKF priority places in the U.S. are in Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico and New Orleans; and internationally, are in Mexico and Haiti.
For more information, visit www.wkkf.org.