Mission

The Seek Common Ground (SCG) community is comprised of leaders from state and community organizations that know, and are of, their communities.

Seek Common Ground believes those most impacted by policy should be full partners in co-creating solutions. Our community represents families, students, and community members from across the United States, primarily led by BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and/or women leaders serving in rural, suburban, and urban communities. 

Communities know how to solve their biggest challenges.

SCG boosts community organizations and leaders—mostly unknown to larger funders and organizations—by providing funding, a supportive learning community, and access to the information and expertise leaders need to meet their communities’ goals, filling a critical void in the field.

Accelerating Action

Since launching in 2018, SCG has managed its signature Collaboration Networks and Action Accelerators on a range of pressing issues, co-created by funders and the field, including: immigrant student and family engagement; student organizing around attacks on education, identity, and belonging; open-systems leadership to democratize systems and community building; whole child learning; and community engagement in COVID-19 relief spending, including funding mental health supports.

Empowering Leaders

Reflecting on their experiences, past participants report making progress on policy and advocacy goals, but also credit SCG with improving their organizational effectiveness and leadership, enabling them—and their communities—to take their rightful seat at decision-making tables. SCG’s programming is provided at no cost to leaders; in fact, participation and/or project funding is provided for Network and Action Accelerator participants. We value the time and expertise of community leaders.

Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement

Seek Common Ground believes that we can only fulfill our mission if diversity, equity, and inclusion are embedded core values and infused in our daily work and relationships.

Diversity: We appreciate differences-- including the wide range of identities, perspectives, and experiences--of all individuals.  We seek to engage broadly, involving and reflecting the communities we serve.

Equity: Ensuring equally high outcomes for all by removing the predictability of success or failures that currently correlates with any social or cultural factor. We align our work, practices and routines so that all students have genuine opportunities to thrive.

Inclusion: We create an environment of involvement, respect, and connection – where the richness of ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives are harnessed to create value.

Educational Equity: Educational equity is the moral and civil rights obligation to ensure that students are provided the tools they need to succeed. This hinges on access to a school environment equipped for safe and stimulating learning opportunities, resources for social, emotional and academic growth, and excellent educators who are able to support students to meet their full potential so that they are prepared college, careers and life. *

In all we do, we seek to be conscious of and address the deeply entrenched practices, cultural norms, and decision-making structures that perpetuate inequities. Racial discrimination is a legacy of our nation’s painful history, and institutional racism and unconscious bias persist. Equity means receiving what one needs to succeed, as we are not all born with the same opportunities. We approach our work on diversity, equity, and inclusion with courage and optimism—knowing it requires a sustained commitment. When we make mistakes along the way, we will learn and grow.

*SCG’s DEI definitions are informed by our work with coalitions, partners, experts and our participation in the inaugural Promise 54 DEI cohort in 2018. We also adapted portions of our definitions from both Promise 54 and the New School Venture Fund.