Making Room for Connection
Photo: Bridging Divides in-person cohort gathering
Bridging Divides, an initiative of Upward Momentum, brings together Missouri organizations working to expand economic mobility in rural and urban communities. Build Missouri Health serves as an intermediary partner, supporting the grantmaking process and helping participating organizations connect, collaborate, and learn from one another.
As BMH’s Project and Relationships Associate, Maria Nunes has been coordinating gatherings and supporting organizations throughout the grant period. Along the way, she’s learning what makes these opportunities most meaningful.
One lesson became clear after the cohort’s first in-person gathering: participants wanted more time to talk with each other. They were eager to exchange ideas, explore partnerships, and learn how other organizations were approaching similar challenges. Organizations have also expressed interest in learning from previous cohorts, including how others measured progress and sustained their work.
“It’s really about listening to what organizations need and letting them help shape the experience so it’s most beneficial to them,” Maria said.
Sustainability is another important consideration. Many participants are using one-year grants to expand existing programs while confronting questions about how to maintain that momentum when funding ends.
Dr. Kristen Wagner, Upward Momentum's Executive Director, echoed Maria's thoughts as she reflected on the gathering. "What stood out to me most at the convening was the energy, commitment, and shared sense of purpose among the organizations in the room. While each is addressing different challenges in communities across Missouri, there is tremendous opportunity to learn from one another, build relationships, and find new ways to collaborate," she said. "At Upward Momentum, we believe meaningful change begins with connection, and gatherings like this help turn those connections into momentum for lasting economic mobility across our state. We're grateful to Build Missouri Health for their partnership in bringing these organizations together and creating space for meaningful collaboration.”
For BMH, these early learnings reinforce an important part of intermediary work: creating the conditions that allow organizations and communities to find solutions to the health equity challenges they face.
Bridging Divides, an initiative of Upward Momentum, brings together Missouri organizations working to expand economic mobility in rural and urban communities. Build Missouri Health serves as an intermediary partner, supporting the grantmaking process and helping participating organizations connect, collaborate, and learn from one another.
As BMH’s Project and Relationships Associate, Maria Nunes has been coordinating gatherings and supporting organizations throughout the grant period. Along the way, she’s learning what makes these opportunities most meaningful.
One lesson became clear after the cohort’s first in-person gathering: participants wanted more time to talk with each other. They were eager to exchange ideas, explore partnerships, and learn how other organizations were approaching similar challenges. Organizations have also expressed interest in learning from previous cohorts, including how others measured progress and sustained their work.
“It’s really about listening to what organizations need and letting them help shape the experience so it’s most beneficial to them,” Maria said.
Sustainability is another important consideration. Many participants are using one-year grants to expand existing programs while confronting questions about how to maintain that momentum when funding ends.
Dr. Kristen Wagner, Upward Momentum's Executive Director, echoed Maria's thoughts as she reflected on the gathering. "What stood out to me most at the convening was the energy, commitment, and shared sense of purpose among the organizations in the room. While each is addressing different challenges in communities across Missouri, there is tremendous opportunity to learn from one another, build relationships, and find new ways to collaborate," she said. "At Upward Momentum, we believe meaningful change begins with connection, and gatherings like this help turn those connections into momentum for lasting economic mobility across our state. We're grateful to Build Missouri Health for their partnership in bringing these organizations together and creating space for meaningful collaboration.”
For BMH, these early learnings reinforce an important part of intermediary work: creating the conditions that allow organizations and communities to find solutions to the health equity challenges they face.