The Steelcase Foundation is excited to share our Year 1 Impact Report and video for the Investment in Families Initiative, which reveals the powerful impact of centering families in the design and delivery of support systems. Launched in 2024 as a ten-year, $10 million participatory research partnership, the Initiative engages 30 family leaders in Kent County with children aged 12 and under to explore how family-driven supports can strengthen well-being, dismantle structural barriers, and inform scalable policy and philanthropic solutions.
“In the first year alone, we’ve seen families purchase houses, level up their careers, and invest in their futures, while also balancing the realities of life in 2025 with increased costs and uncertainty,” said Dr. Daniel Williams, president of the Steelcase Foundation. “Through it all, though, this first year has underscored the immense value in centering families’ voices while navigating structural stressors to foster meaningful changes in their lives.”
Key Year One Findings Include:
- Family Agency and Well-Being: Families reported increased confidence, reduced stress, and greater ability to navigate life challenges, with 57% noting improvements in their mental and emotional well-being. This finding underscores the importance of programs that prioritize choice, agency, and relational support over rigid outcome measures, trusting families to define what stability and success look like for themselves.
- Financial Assistance as Harm Reduction: While direct cash transfers totaling over $10,000 provided relief for essentials like rent, utilities, transportation and education, the Initiative emphasizes this financial support as a short-term harm reduction strategy, creating “breathing room” so families can fully participate in shaping long-term solutions.
- Community and Connection: Cohort members built a robust network of trust and mutual support, with 95% reporting feeling included and respected. These relationships, referred to as relational infrastructure, proved critical in navigating challenges and building resilience.
- Educational and Career Progress: Families leveraged supports to pursue personal and professional goals, including post-secondary education, career advancement, homeownership and savings for their children’s future.