New Profit Invests in Democracy and Economic Mobility Orgs
New Profit is excited to welcome two organizations to our Build portfolio. These organizations are expanding access and opportunity through democracy and economic mobility work. Each will receive $1.5 million in unrestricted funding and strategic advisory support over four years.
Our democracy work supports organizations that envision what is possible when we build a thriving multicultural, multiracial, intergenerational democracy through strategies including narrative change, repair work, and bridge-building. We also aim to cultivate deeper civic capabilities through strategies including building the capacity of communities and public servants, national service, youth engagement and participatory budgeting.
Through our economic mobility portfolio, we invest in organizations with transformative strategies that advance pathways to income generation and financial health, and tackle the social drivers of economic opportunity. We invest in leaders with deep connections to the people they serve, who use human-centered approaches and seek to influence and reimagine systems through their work.
We invite you to learn more about these organizations and the impact they’re creating below:
Equis Institute
Equis Institute strengthens American democracy by improving how Latino communities are understood and engaged by institutions across media, policy, and philanthropy—ensuring Latino voices and sentiments are reflected in the narratives, strategies, and decisions that shape public life.
Equis believes that a more representative democracy requires institutions to engage Latino communities with accuracy, respect, and accountability. By producing rigorous, community-informed research and translating it into actionable insights, Equis helps decision-makers shift narratives, design responsive policies, and allocate resources in ways that reflect Latino priorities and lived experience. All aspects of Equis’ work center around their mission, to bring: “Truth that bends institutions and moves power to our people — sin miedo.”
Equis is widely recognized for its ability to explain not just what Latino communities think, but why—helping institutions respond to shifting attitudes with greater accuracy, respect, and accountability. By identifying gaps in how Latino communities are engaged and filling those gaps with timely, credible research, Equis helps shape more inclusive narratives and policies. This work aligns with New Profit’s democracy strategy by advancing a more inclusive vision of democracy—one that reflects the power, dignity, and lived experience of Latino communities.
Founded in 2019, Equis operates nationally, partnering with leaders and institutions across media, policy, philanthropy, and the civic sector.
Under the leadership of CEO Stephanie Valencia and Senior Vice President of Research Carlos Odio, Equis Institute has grown into a trusted, data-driven organization shaping how Latino communities are understood and engaged. Together, they bring deep expertise in political strategy, research, and narrative design to center Latino voices in shaping the future of American democracy.
Impact Highlights:
- Produced widely cited research shaping national understanding of Latino political identity and civic engagement.
- Conducted research with more than 153,000 respondents to inform institutional decision-making.
- Briefed policymakers, funders, and media partners, influencing national narratives and policy priorities.
PowerCorpsPHL
PowerCorpsPHL connects young people to careers and advances community resilience by creating paid pathways to employment in environmental sustainability, public infrastructure, and community-based work.
PowerCorpsPHL believes that addressing youth unemployment, community violence, and environmental inequity requires integrated, healing-centered workforce solutions. Through immersive, paid job training paired with strong employer partnerships and supportive services, PowerCorpsPHL prepares young adults for living-wage careers while strengthening communities and public systems.
PowerCorpsPHL stands out for its evidence-based workforce model and its ability to deliver strong employment outcomes while generating environmental and community benefits. Its model aligns with New Profit’s economic mobility strategy by creating clear pathways to income through paid training and living-wage employment, while addressing social drivers of economic opportunity such as community safety, environmental conditions, and access to stable work.
Founded in 2013 through a public-private partnership with the City of Philadelphia, PowerCorpsPHL is based in Philadelphia and also nationally through its technical assistance model.
Led by Co-Founder and Executive Director Julia Hillengas, PowerCorpsPHL has demonstrated strong organizational durability and adaptability, navigating major shifts while strengthening its program model, impact measurement, and long-term sustainability at both the local and national levels.
Impact Highlights:
- More than 90% of participants transition to employment or postsecondary education within six months.
- Approximately 10% one-year post-program recidivism rate for justice-involved participants (compared to ~35% overall in Philadelphia)
- Expanded its workforce model to multiple cities through technical assistance partnerships.
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About New Profit
New Profit is a venture philanthropy organization that catalyzes the impact of social entrepreneurs who are expanding access and opportunity in America. We provide capital, capacity, and community to a portfolio of organizations to increase their impact, scale, and sustainability. And we partner with social entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and cross-sector leaders to shift how the philanthropic sector pursues social change and ensures that everyone in America can thrive. Since 1998, New Profit has invested over $350M in 275+ high-impact organizations serving more than 35 million people in all 50 states.