Utah was ranked as the number one best state overall for the second year in a row by the U.S. News and World Report. However, not all Utahns benefit equally from our collective prosperity. Utah was ranked 49 for equality and 18 for opportunity. The Center addresses Utah's socioeconomic disparities through a holistic, community-driven approach. Forging strong relationships between communities with unequal access and change-making partners is at the core of our work. The Center has created proven models of collaborative platforms that allow communities to share experiences and aspirations, working alongside public and private partners to identify, prioritize, and co-design solutions for pressing issues. Strengthening sector relationships allows for the formation of sustaining partnerships, ensuring that successful solutions are scaled and integrated into enduring structures.

The power of collaboration is a silver lining of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Center was officially launched to provide an ongoing structure to promote cross-fertilization of expertise to co-create sustainable solutions. The Walton Family Foundation and the Larry H. & Gail Miller Foundation jointly seeded funding and continue to invest in growing The Center's impact.