United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern NJ to Invest “Made in America” Funds in Economy League’s World Class Initiative
August 30, 2012
Economy League
Collaboration with United Way will direct funds to regional education and talent development effort
(August 30, 2012 - Philadelphia) The Economy League of Greater Philadelphia and United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey are pleased to announce that funds from this weekend's "Made in America" music festival in Philadelphia will be invested in the creation of a regional education and talent strategy as part of World Class Greater Philadelphia, the Economy League's multi-year initiative to ensure that this region competes globally by 2026.
"We are thrilled to partner with the Economy League on World Class Greater Philadelphia, specifically to help lead education and talent development initiatives designed to create and support a talented workforce, where every member of our community has the skills needed to compete in the global economy," said Jill Michal, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. "This work will help ensure that all of our region's children are prepared to start school, graduate high school ready for college or a career, and have access to excellent post-secondary education and work opportunities."
Last February, the Economy League and United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey announced their partnership in conjunction with the World Class initiative to improve regional education and talent development outcomes. Over the past several months, the Economy League and United Way have convened a strategy team of key regional leaders and issue experts to identify priority strategies for increased focus and collaboration around early learning, K-12, postsecondary degree attainment, and workforce readiness. This strategy team's work will serve as the basis of an Education and Talent Development Global Positioning Strategy (GPS) for Greater Philadelphia to be released later this year. The GPS will set the stage for immediate initiatives and campaigns to be taken on by the United Way and other World Class partners and will serve as an open-source regional strategy framework to help focus and guide cross-sector collaboration.
"Our alliance with the United Way highlights the critical importance of realizing the potential of every person in this region," said Steven T. Wray, Economy League Executive Director. "We all are connected to each other economically and will thrive together if we can create the conditions for opportunity and advancement."
The two complementary priorities identified by the World Class process are boosting business growth and improving regional infrastructure. The Economy League has partnered with the CEO Council for Growth on business and with the Urban Land Institute Philadelphia on infrastructure. Focus 2026: Priorities and Goals for a World Class Greater Philadelphia, released last year, describes the priority areas and associated goals and presents case studies of regional improvement efforts from across the US.
The World Class Greater Philadelphia initiative's co-chairs are Gerard H. Sweeney of Brandywine Realty Trust, Dr. Steven M. Altschuler of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Wendell E. Pritchett of Rutgers University-Camden, and Jane G. Pepper.
About World Class Greater Philadelphia
World Class Greater Philadelphia is an initiative that convenes business, nonprofit, government, labor, and community leaders to establish a set of long-term priorities and focused strategies to better our region. Facilitated by the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, this multi-year initiative strives to make the region a world class place to live, work, and play by 2026 - the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
About the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia
The Economy League of Greater Philadelphia is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization committed to ensuring the region's prosperity through analysis and action. We bring together established and emerging leaders to understand the region's challenges and work toward innovative solutions.
About United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey
United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, serving communities in Pennsylvania's Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, and New Jersey's Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, and Cumberland counties , is part of a national network of more than 1,300 locally governed organizations that work to create lasting positive changes in communities and in people's lives. United Way engages the community to identify the underlying causes of the most significant local issues, develops strategies and pulls together financial and human resources to address them, and measures the results. United Way is advancing the common good in Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey by positively impacting the lives of people throughout the region in the areas of education, income, and health.