Turning Mission into State Investment and Policy Leadership
One of the things I enjoy most about this work is helping organizations translate strong impact on the ground into real visibility and support from policymakers.
Over the past several years, I’ve had the privilege of working with Thrive Scholars, an organization that supports high-achieving students from low-income communities as they navigate top colleges and prepare for leadership careers.
The results Thrive delivers for students are remarkable. But like many mission-driven organizations, the challenge isn’t proving the impact, it’s making sure policymakers understand both the value of the work and the opportunity to expand it.
That’s where strategy comes in.
Building a Path to State Investment
Over the past three Massachusetts state budgets, 27 South Strategies has worked with Thrive Scholars to help secure state funding that supports their work with students across the Commonwealth.
Our approach wasn’t simply to pursue a budget line item.
Instead, we focused on positioning Thrive Scholars within a broader conversation that policymakers already care deeply about:
the future workforce and talent pipeline in Massachusetts.
That meant:
Identifying legislative champions
Framing Thrive’s work in the context of economic mobility and workforce development
Building relationships with key policymakers
Creating opportunities for legislators to engage directly with the organization’s mission
When that kind of strategy works, funding becomes the outcome of a much larger story.
From Program Provider to Policy Convener
This week, Thrive Scholars hosted a conversation at the Massachusetts State House titled:
“Investing in the Future Talent Pipeline from Low-Income Communities.”
The discussion was moderated by Dan Navisky, Boston Executive Director of Thrive Scholars, and brought together leaders from several organizations working to expand opportunity for talented students across the state:
Drew Martin, Chief Executive Officer, Thrive Scholars
Adrian Mims, Founder & CEO, The Calculus Project
Angelica Martinez, Associate Director of Programs, La Vida Scholars
Mindy Wright, Co-Founder & Executive Director, The Upward Project
Jonathan Allen, Co-Founder & Director of Development, Leadership Brainery
What made the event particularly meaningful was that Thrive wasn’t simply participating in the conversation.
They were leading it.
By bringing together organizations working at different points along the talent pipeline, from advanced math preparation to mentorship and leadership development, Thrive helped highlight a broader ecosystem working to ensure that students with extraordinary potential have access to the opportunities they deserve.
Angelica Martinez (La Vida Scholars); Jonathan Allen (Leadership Brainery); Mindy Wright (Upward Project); Drew Martin (Thrive Scholars); Dan Navisky (Thrive Scholars); Adrian Mims (Calculus Project); Aaron Agulnek (27 South Strategies)
Why This Matters for Massachusetts
Massachusetts’ economy depends on talent.
Whether you’re talking about technology, healthcare, finance, or the innovation sector more broadly, the Commonwealth’s long-term competitiveness depends on ensuring that talented students from every community have access to the educational pathways that lead to opportunity.
Organizations like Thrive Scholars are playing a critical role in making that happen.
And policymakers are increasingly recognizing that investing in these efforts isn’t just about equity, it’s also about the future workforce of the Commonwealth.
The Bigger Picture
At 27 South Strategies, the goal is never just to secure funding.
The goal is to help organizations:
Build lasting relationships with policymakers
Align their work with public priorities
Increase visibility in policy conversations
Create opportunities to convene leaders and shape dialogue
When those pieces come together, funding becomes just one outcome of a broader strategy.
It’s been a privilege to support Thrive Scholars in this work, and to help elevate a conversation about talent, opportunity, and the future of Massachusetts.
