actionable research
for upward mobility.
The Constellation Fund and Foundation for Educational Research (FERD) launched CoLab in 2023 to create actionable evidence on program and policy solutions that bolster upward mobility for children, youth, and families.
The latest evidence, news & insights
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Project Summary
Evaluation of the Illinois Stability Investment for Family Housing Program
During the 2022–2023 school year, nearly 1.4 million students in the United States experienced homelessness. State and local governments are… -
Project Summary
Evaluating Program Connecting Shelter Families with Early Childhood Resources
Nearly half of all children who stay in emergency shelters are under age 6 — a period when experiences, good… -
Blog
Meet Melanie Ali, CoLab’s First Research Portfolio Officer
The CoLab team welcomed Dr. Melanie Ali as its first Research Portfolio Officer in late January. She is responsible for… -
Project Summary
CoLab Funds Long-Term Study of Housing Mobility Program’s Impact on Children
The Creating Moves to Opportunity (CMTO) demonstration in Seattle and King County, Wash., enrolled over 700 families offered housing vouchers…
Why Longitudinal Evaluation Matters
Most poverty-fighting programs have good stories, but anecdotes don’t tell us whether programs improve outcomes for most participants and lead to long-term changes. CoLab-funded research answers key questions for driving population-level impact, such as what solutions maximize ROI and which approaches work best for specific populations or contexts.
Average Lifetime Earnings for Different Educational Pathways
Investment Impact by the numbers
in research
grants committed
This investment represents Minnesota’s largest commitment to understanding poverty interventions and creating last, positive policy change.
Active or completed
longitudinal research studies
From youth homelessness to comprehensive student support, we’re following participants for 5+ years to understand long-term pathways to upward mobility.
CoLab’s Goals
Identify Promising
Solutions
We identify promising solutions to poverty in Minnesota and beyond through listening and collaboration with community partners, engaging lived expertise, and examining existing evidence.
Fund & Support
Actionable Research
Through funding longitudinal impact evaluations of promising solutions, we aim to strengthen evidence on what works to reduce poverty and support long-term thriving.
Contribute to
Population-Level Impact
We aim to influence systems change and funding through strategic communication of research and collaboration with government, philanthropy, and community partners.
WORLD-CLASS RESEARCH CAN STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES.
CoLab works to ensure that investments in upward mobility programs are measurably effective for the long-term and efficiently delivered at scale. Get in touch to learn more.