Imaginable Futures

“Durable progress comes from connection, trust, and imagination.” Systems change isn’t linear—and it isn’t one-size-fits-all. How do we achieve lasting change? With relationships, networks, and energy that sustain it. In our latest blog, “From Framework to Field,” Erin Simmons and Jewlya Lynn (Policy Solve) share what we’re learning from partners across the U.S., Brazil, and Kenya through our Systems & Impact Framework. These lessons reveal how local energy, cross-sector collaboration, and cultural understanding can move equity from aspiration to action. 📖 Read the full blog: https://lnkd.in/d7ybdX5p

Nearly half of all US families with children under 6 are struggling to meet basic needs. Let that sink in. Imaginable Futures has supported Stanford Center on Early Childhood’s RAPID Survey Project since the pandemic. Their latest data stopped me in my tracks: In July 2025, 45% of families with young children reported difficulty affording essentials, such as utilities, food, healthcare, housing, and child care. These are some of the highest hardship levels the RAPID survey has recorded since beginning during the pandemic in 2020. Even more alarming? This represents an 11 percentage point jump from just the month before, signaling a larger trend of deepening economic hardship. Our youngest learners and their parents deserve better. The early years are critical, with 85% of the human brain developing before age 5. When families can't afford the basics, we're limiting what's possible for everyone. Read the full RAPID survey: https://lnkd.in/g9MGS3Hb #EarlyChildhood #EducationEquity #ECE #EconomicOpportunity

Can collaborative philanthropy shift from aid to agency in education research? In this video, Sara Ruto from Echidna Giving reminds us: “There needs to be an intentionality to sometimes be the follower and not think that because we have the resources, we have to be the leaders. If we have that mindset, guided by values… philanthropy can begin to see more power in the resources that it provides.” Right now, there is a striking gap between the knowledge, talent, and innovation in Africa and the fact that less than 3% of global education research is led by African scholars. At #UNGA80, we partnered with Echidna Giving and Devex to capture expert insights on how collaborative philanthropy can power African-led education research. 🎥 Watch the full video to hear directly from leaders reimagining education philanthropy: https://lnkd.in/ddz8DHX6 Gates Foundation, Zizi Afrique Foundation, Safaricom PLC, Laila Macharia, John Mugo, Benjamin Piper, Dr. Peter Ndegwa C.B.S, Mike Kuria

We left UNGA with fresh energy, inspiration, and lessons to apply to our work — and we’re excited to share them with you. We encountered stories of courage and creativity, from teachers in Ukraine to mental health studies in India, reminding us why education must remain central even amid crisis. We witnessed the power of intersectional thinking: how education ties to climate, AI, mental health, geopolitics, and livelihoods. We connected on various collaborations and learned how more and more partnerships are emerging between funders and those closest to the work. Themes We’re Carrying Forward 🌱 Amplifying stories of resilience, innovation, and impact to keep education a global priority 🔀 Exploring intersections of education with climate, AI, mental health, and geopolitics 🤝 Supporting leaders through collaboration, convenings, and shared learning 🌍 Nurturing bold coalitions across philanthropy, government, civil society, and business Read more about our lessons from UNGA and how we plan to act on them: https://lnkd.in/gGcFwSNs

Como avaliamos mudanças que não cabem em indicadores tradicionais? Mudanças reais e progresso nem sempre aparecem em indicadores tradicionais ou planilhas. Muitas vezes, vivem em histórias, relacionamentos e pequenas transformações que se espalham pelos sistemas ao longo do tempo. É disso que se trata o estudo de caso “De Narrativas a Caminhos – Análise Causal Participativa na Avaliação de Contribuições para a Mudança de Sistemas na Educação Brasileira”. Co-criado com cinco organizações parceiras — Ensina Brasil, IBEAC, Associação Cidade Escola Aprendiz, Instituto Elos e CEERT Equidade Racial e de Gênero — este trabalho explora novas formas de entender como a mudança acontece em sistemas complexos, como o da educação. O estudo mostra como ouvir, colaborar e mapear conexões causais pode nos ajudar a compreender contribuições reais para a transformação de sistemas complexos. Quando ouvimos, conectamos os pontos e aprendemos coletivamente, vemos não apenas o que muda — mas por que muda. Para quem trabalha com impacto social, aprendizagem e transformação sistêmica, este estudo de caso é para você. 🔗 Leia o estudo completo aqui: https://lnkd.in/dRDnka7R

"Out of all the things in this country that we could get rid of, why do you want to attack our children's learning?" A powerful question from a parent in rural Ohio quoted in The Hechinger Report’s piece by Jackie Mader. Here's what's at stake: 85% of brain development happens before age five. In many rural communities, Head Start is the only early learning and child care option available—not one of several, the only one. It keeps parents working and supports local economies. Yet Head Start programs across the country are facing serious funding uncertainty. Some have already closed classrooms or cut services. Strip this funding away, and we're not just closing programs. We're playing with the future of our country. Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/gU_aiy2E