Lever for Change
Vernon Smith has extensive experience in social impact and justice initiatives, currently serving as a Senior Associate for Social Impact at Lever for Change since June 2020. Prior to this role, Vernon held positions including Senior Associate for Justice at the National Association of Counties and Management and Program Analyst at the U.S. Department of Education. Earlier career experiences include an internship at the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority and a role as a Student Services Associate at Year Up. Vernon Smith holds a Master’s Degree in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Northwestern University.
This person is not in any teams
Lever for Change
Lever for Change connects donors with bold solutions to the world’s biggest problems—including issues like racial inequity, gender inequality, lack of access to economic opportunity, and climate change. Using an inclusive, equitable model and due diligence process, Lever for Change creates customized challenges and other tailored funding opportunities. Top-ranked teams and challenge finalists become members of the Bold Solutions Network—a growing global network that helps secure additional funding, amplify members’ impact, and accelerate social change. Founded in 2019 as a nonprofit affiliate of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Lever for Change has influenced over $1.7 billion in grants to date and provided support to more than 175 organizations. To learn more, visit www.leverforchange.org.