Sustainable Progress and Equality Collective
SPEC is a community-driven organization dedicated to meeting people where they are and empowering them to learn skills, build careers, and become leaders of sustainable social impact.
OUR MISSION
We are on a mission to provide diverse peoples the resources and opportunities essential to learn skills, build careers, and become leaders of sustainable social impact.
We understand that for many people from underserved communities, they can't give back or help others until they can access essential goods and services, learn professional skills, and achieve physical and financial security.
BACKGROUND
SPEC was born out of research from The Buffalo Project, a 10-year participatory research project that investigated using cultural data in the development of learning programs.
This research illustrated that students were not being adequately taught the importance of intercultural competencies. It also demonstrated the efficacy of engaging communities to improve learning program design and delivery.
SPEC was founded to expand on this research and provide a platform for students to learn these skills and apply them to real-world projects.
HOW WE WORK
SPEC is organized as an open collective, which raises and spends funds transparently to achieve its goals.
We operate as a fully distributed Collective, with members located across the United States. Donations to SPEC directly contribute to supporting career development and learning opportunities for our members.
SPEC is fiscally sponsored by the Hack Club Bank 501(c)(3), which enables SPEC to receive tax-deductible donations in full transparency.
WHAT WE DO
We are a radically transparent and inclusive community.
At SPEC, we are dedicated to fostering social impact and driving positive change through our diverse range of programs and services. Our approach centers around engaged research, collaborative mentorship, applied learning, capacity building, and pathways to sustainable careers.
Through these initiatives, we empower individuals and organizations to make a meaningful difference in their communities and beyond.
OUR SERVICES
Engaged Research
Prioritizing community participation in research.
We focus on including those affected by our research as equal partners. They join us in shaping research questions, making decisions, influencing policies, and creating programs. We team up with others to gather resources, impact systems, and bring about changes in relationships, policies, programs, and practices.
Collaborative Mentorship
Mentoring that fosters diverse and equitable learning environments.
Collaborative mentorship is a inclusive and cyclical style that promotes fair learning. It creates ambassadors who advance SPEC work externally. Unlike regular mentoring, it focuses on a balanced mentor-mentee bond through open conversation, exploring tensions. It includes sharing ideas, feelings, and teamwork for co-creation.
Applied Learning
Individuals actively apply skills, theories, and models in practical situations.
Applied learning is hands-on education where people use skills and theories in real situations. They get training, open materials, and chances to apply knowledge in actual projects for social impact. They're also supposed to share their learnings with others.
Capacity Building
Helping organizations unleash their full potential.
We boost organizations through empowering training that equips employees for success and drives organizational growth.
Skill-building programs
Leadership training
Community growth support
Expert tech and research staff
Career Development
Connecting organizations with exceptional talent.
We link organizations with top talent to help them succeed. Our focus is on diverse skills and expertise, connecting clients with skilled professionals nationwide. We also offer community growth services and leadership training for ongoing development. Our approach builds strong teams for success.
Expert tech and research staff
Skilled professionals from education programs
Community growth support
Leadership training
$290k
Funds raised and distributed to our community
BY THE NUMBERS
We are striving to create sustainable careers for our contributors.
SPEC was established based on the core values of sustainability, progress, and equality, and we believe these combined values are the recipe for building radically sustainable, equitable, and transparent organizations.
28
Successful career placements
15
Projects developed and completed
7
Partnerships and collaborations
Questions? Comments?
Send us a message.
