How McKinsey partners with US communities to expand economic opportunity
Where a child grows up in the United States still has an outsize influence on their future outcomes—shaping access to good schools, stable housing, healthcare, and ultimately, economic mobility.
Across the country, community leaders and organizations are working to change that reality. While they have no shortage of ambition or ideas, these leaders frequently cite a lack of data, tools, and capabilities to help them build stronger organizations and more resilient workforces.
Over the past several years, the McKinsey Institute of Economic Mobility (IEM) has sought to close that gap by convening community organizations, educators, philanthropies, and partners to solve these challenges together.
By providing the fact base and analysis to help leaders make data-informed decisions, and by working directly with clients while also supporting like-minded partners, IEM helps leaders take coordinated action to accelerate inclusive economic growth and improve economic mobility.
Developing insights for data-informed impact
IEM’s research focuses on understanding what truly drives economic mobility at the local level—and why outcomes vary so widely across neighborhoods and regions. Studies on place-based mobility, housing stability, and education-to-employment pathways have helped community leaders move beyond anecdotes toward evidence-backed decisions.
These insights have informed discussions among practitioners at gatherings such as the Black Economic Forum, where leaders compare approaches, pressure test strategies, and apply research in real-world contexts—turning analysis into action.
“Tackling inequity at scale requires more than good intentions. It demands data, evidence, and coordinated action,” says McKinsey Partner Duwain Pinder. “We are partnering with communities and organizations to build systems and pathways that unlock real opportunity for millions of people.”
Supporting those closest to the challenge
In school systems serving more than seven million students, education leaders faced a pivotal moment: how to deploy $35 billion in federal ESSER funding to accelerate learning recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Working with Chiefs for Change, IEM supported school system leaders with data, implementation, and practical guidance—helping districts focus resources where they mattered most.
Elsewhere, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs)—institutions that play a critical role in advancing economic mobility—faced a different challenge: improving financial and organizational strength while continuing to expand access for students. Through the HBCU Transformation Project, which is also funded by Blue Meridian Partners, IEM partnered with the United Negro College Fund, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, and Ed Advancement to support leaders in improving financial health, strengthening operations, and driving enrollment growth—contributing to a $1.3 billion increase in net assets across participating institutions.
At Delaware State University (DSU), that support helped enable a landmark moment. A five-year growth plan developed in conjunction with the acquisition of Wesley College contributed to a 43 percent increase in first-time enrollment, helping DSU become one of the fastest-growing HBCUs in the country and expanding access to higher education for students across the region.
Accelerating societal impact with like-minded partners
Across these efforts, leaders consistently raised the same challenge: Data was abundant, but actionable insights were not.
In collaboration with Blue Meridian Partners, IEM helped develop the Economic Mobility Analytics Tool, a public-good resource designed to help communities translate complex data into practical decisions. Drawing on more than 30 data sources and 200-plus indicators across education, income, housing, and health, the tool enables local leaders to identify mobility gaps, understand root causes, and prioritize interventions that can improve outcomes for families.
“Data should help leaders make better decisions, not add complexity,” says Jim Shelton, CEO of Blue Meridian Partners. “This tool gives communities clear, local insights they can use to see where people are falling behind and focus on actions that help families get ahead.”
Beyond the public tool and supporting organizations funded by Blue Meridian Partners—such as Chiefs for Change and the HBCU Transformation Project—IEM has also partnered with Blue Meridian Partners to publish research to support leaders in decision-making within their communities.
By translating complex data into practical insights, our partnership enables communities to focus resources where they can make the greatest impact.
