The Work of Opportunity
Updates
Sep 29, 2025
As the US approaches its 250th anniversary, we are reflecting on America’s founding ideals—and asking whether the promise of opportunity still holds true today.
How We Work
Blue Meridian brings together values-aligned philanthropists to learn and invest more effectively and efficiently together, ultimately unlocking public and private capital for promising solutions. We make long-term, performance-based investments in strategies that help individuals reach key success markers from cradle to career—such as school readiness or securing meaningful employment—as well as help them overcome impediments, like unplanned pregnancy or early exposure to violence. We also invest in organizations that influence public policies and build infrastructure that will help sustain mobility over time.
We assess potential “investees” according to key criteria and provide strategic thought partnership and customized operational guidance on scaling and change management over the investment period. We know the journey to scale is not linear, so we pair tailored support with transformative capital to enable investees to build capacity, implement their plans, and work towards agreed-upon milestones.
Additionally, we apply our rigorous investment approach to surface a pipeline of new ideas, new collaborations, and new strategies for potential future investment. By establishing a new normal in the philanthropic marketplace, Blue Meridian aims to transform life trajectories for generations to come.
Our Team
Blue Meridian is staffed by an experienced team of results-focused leaders who share a passion and commitment to increasing economic mobility for young people and families. Our team supports all of Blue Meridian’s activities by identifying promising strategies, supporting the development of scaling plans, structuring deals, monitoring performance on behalf of our Partners, and maintaining a pipeline of prospect organizations.
Our Leaders
Blue Meridian is led by CEO Jim Shelton and Founder and Executive Chair Nancy Roob.
Jim shapes the organization’s strategy, ensures performance, and leads efforts to address the needs of results-oriented philanthropists and visionary social sector leaders to achieve transformative impact at scale.
Nancy, Blue Meridian’s founder, oversees the organization’s board, partners with Jim on capital aggregation priorities, and advances strategies aimed at driving continued philanthropic innovation.
Additional Support
Originally incubated at the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation (EMCF), Blue Meridian is now an independent 501c3 — a new type of philanthropic organization. Blue Meridian builds on EMCF’s performance-based investing approach, leadership in aggregating capital, and strong co-investing relationships – all of which the foundation developed over nearly 20 years. A founding General Partner, EMCF continues to support Blue Meridian as part of its limited-life strategy.
The Bridgespan Group also provides state-of-the art strategy support to Blue Meridian’s investees. Bridgespan helps investees create robust and comprehensive Scaling Plans with sophisticated business modeling and long-term financial sustainability goals. Additionally, the Bridgespan Group provides critical support to Blue Meridian’s sourcing, due diligence efforts, and innovation testing. Lastly, Bridgespan’s senior partners provide strategic counsel to Blue Meridian’s management team.
