The Challenges We're Facing
Our current systems weren’t built to solve inequality — they were built to manage it.
And for too many, the safety net was never there to begin with.
Our social and economic policies were designed to uplift privilege, protect wealth, and keep control in the hands of the few — not to support the many navigating poverty, racism, displacement, or crisis.
We see it in policies that punish poverty instead of addressing its root causes; in public benefits that are hard to access, easy to lose, and structured to offer the bare minimum — just enough to get by, never enough to get ahead; in funding models that prioritize what’s measurable over what’s meaningful; and in a culture that promotes the myth of meritocracy — and blames people for falling behind instead of questioning the systems that hold them back.
This isn’t just a gap in income.
It’s a system designed to preserve inequality — and for some, it’s costing years of life.
This isn’t a broken system.
It’s a system working exactly as intended — and that’s why we need a new one.
The Challenges We're Facing
Our current systems weren’t built to solve inequality — they were built to manage it.
And for too many, the safety net was never there to begin with.
Our social and economic policies were designed to uplift privilege, protect wealth, and keep control in the hands of the few — not to support the many navigating poverty, racism, displacement, or crisis.
We see it in policies that punish poverty instead of addressing its root causes; in public benefits that are hard to access, easy to lose, and structured to offer the bare minimum — just enough to get by, never enough to get ahead; in funding models that prioritize what’s measurable over what’s meaningful; and in a culture that promotes the myth of meritocracy — and blames people for falling behind instead of questioning the systems that hold them back.
This isn’t just a gap in income.
It’s a system designed to preserve inequality — and for some, it’s costing years of life.
This isn’t a broken system.
It’s a system working exactly as intended — and that’s why we need a new one.
A New Model for a New Moment
Too many organizations are forced to operate within the limits of broken systems — not because they lack vision, but because philanthropy too often funds programs to manage need, not solve it.
The problem isn’t the people or the organizations.
It’s the model.
When risk is punished, innovation stalls.
When trust is withheld, potential is wasted.
And when communities closest to the challenges are underfunded and overburdened, we miss the very solutions we need.
We believe in a different kind of partnership. A different kind of investment.
One that treats nonprofits like innovators. Communities like co-creators. And bold change like a mandate, not a maybe.
That’s why we don’t just co-create solutions with trusted partners, movement builders, and those directly impacted by injustice — we also resource and fuel them.
We’re not here to patch cracks in a flawed foundation.
We’re here to build and advocate for systemic equity — and we’re doing it differently.
The launch of mBOLDen Change is an exciting next chapter. The talented team behind My New Red Shoes has always shown up for the community. Now, they’re stepping into this next phase as mBOLDen Change with that same energy.
From employment and education to housing and healthcare and more, they’re fighting to make equity and fairness the norm, not the exception.
At a time when the current political leadership is stripping away rights and opportunities from those most in need, we need more organizations like mBOLDen Change advocating for our most disadvantaged communities.
We’re proud to support mBOLDen Change, and can’t wait to lend a hand, roll up our sleeves and get to work!
