All portfolio organizations are offered space within Blue Ridge’s Brooklyn offices. The shared work space fosters a powerful community of talented people dedicated to developing innovative solutions to social problems. These social entrepreneurs trade ideas, develop partnerships, expand their networks, and inspire one another to achieve their visions.

Selection process. One of the most important criteria for inclusion within our portfolio is the ability to work in connection with groups already in our portfolio. Staff of existing organizations help to select new additions, and as a result everyone is invested in the work of other organizations.

Programmatic synergies. We expect our portfolio organizations to collaborate not only on general management issues, but also in the delivery of programs. All grantees fall into one of Blue Ridge’s areas of interest: youth development, community building, and the public interest use of technology.

Internal working groups. Ad-hoc and ongoing working groups spring up in Blue Ridge’s office; two recent examples include one focused on technology, another on fiscal operating issues. These groups meet periodically to exchange ideas and advice more formally than through the everyday back and forth.