Theory of Change

Theory of Change

Gary Community Investments is committed to taking smart risks and making investments that seed innovation, scale what works and improve policies and systems. We are working toward four, integrated long-term outcomes that, when achieved, will result in improved lives for Colorado’s low-income families. 

We invite you to explore our theory of change to learn more about our strategy, including the outcomes we hope to achieve for children and families in the next 10 to 19 years. Because we are executing on a 20-year strategy to achieve our vision, there may be periods when less emphasis is placed on one of our outcome areas, but we remain committed to achieving all of our long-term outcomes over time.

Explore Our Impact to learn more about how we're working together with partners and investees to achieve these outcomes and see how we've invested across our four outcome areas since 2015.

Four Integrated Long-term Outcomes

School Readiness
Low income children are prepared to enter Kindergarten "ready to learn."
Youth Success
Low-income children graduate high school job or career ready, and are prepared to become successful members of their communities.
Family Economic Security
Families with low incomes have increased financial security and assets.
Community & Economic Development
State and local economies offer opportunities for families and individuals living in low-income communities.
School Readiness
Low income children are prepared to enter Kindergarten "ready to learn."

10-19 Year Outcomes:

  • Low-income children are thriving in their first year of life.
  • Low-income children enter kindergarten socially and emotionally prepared to learn.
  • Early childhood provider system is a clearly defined, professionalized and well-capitalized "sector."
  • Low-income children enter kindergarten physically healthy.
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Youth Success
Low-income children graduate high school job or career ready, and are prepared to become successful members of their communities.

10-19 Year Outcomes:

  • Low-income youth graduate high school post-secondary ready.
  • Low-income youth are prepared for a job or career.
  • Physical, mental and oral health outcomes for low-income children and youth are improved.
  • Low-income children and youth live in safe, stable and supportive families and communities.
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Family Economic Security
Families with low incomes have increased financial security and assets.

10-19 Year Outcomes:

  • Low-income families are able to meet their basic needs.
  • Low-income families' income exceeds the Self-Sufficiency Standard for the metro Denver area.
  • Low-income families have enough liquid assets to weather an income interruption for at least three months.
  • Low-income families have increased opportunities to build longer-term savings and assets.
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Community & Economic Development
State and local economies offer opportunities for families and individuals living in low-income communities.

10-19 Year Outcomes:

  • Low-income families and individuals have opportunities for employment stability and advancement, and their businesses have access to appropriate capital.
  • The physical environment enables all residents to effectively access and use community assets.
  • A vibrant and diverse community of thought leaders and practitioners who promote effective policy, allocate strategic capital, and support strong intermediaries, to allow for low-income families to take advantage of sustained community assets.
Learn More >>
View All Outcome Areas

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