National Five & Rising Movement Launches Today; Northwest Ohio's Center for Community Impact Selected as Inaugural Community

Selected for its ability to turn collaboration into infrastructure, the Center for Community Impact will demonstrate how rural communities can lead in transforming the social sector.

TOLEDO, Ohio, Sept. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A bold new national movement called Five & Rising launches today to unleash the full economic power of the social sector, and the Center for Community Impact in Northwest Ohio has been chosen as one of three inaugural communities to lead the way.

Launched by Social Current, a strategic partner to more than 1,800 human and social service organizations in the U.S., Canada, and beyond, Five & Rising seeks to rewrite the rules for how the social sector is funded, valued, and supported. The initiative takes its name from the sector's 5.2% share of U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a reminder of its vast economic force and a signal that this is just the beginning

Across the U.S., outdated systems, myths, and restrictive funding models limit the potential of a sector that powers 12.5 million jobs and contributes $1.4 trillion annually to the economy. Five & Rising aims to challenge these broken norms, elevate local leadership, and build scalable strategies that will transform how communities tackle their greatest challenges.

"The launch of Five & Rising marks a turning point for the social sector," said Dr. Jody Levison-Johnson, President and CEO of Social Current. "For too long, outdated funding models and harmful myths have limited our ability to deliver real impact.  This movement is about rewriting those rules and proving what's possible when we invest in communities that are ready to lead. The Center for Community Impact embodies that vision. They are showing the country how collaboration can become infrastructure and how rural communities can lead with boldness and innovation."

Inspired by the documentary UnCharitable, directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal, which challenges conventional thinking about how the social sector should operate, Five & Rising will work with communities across the country to co-create systems that match the sector's true scale and unleash its ability to deliver lasting impact.

"I've seen firsthand how the stories we've told about charity have limited what's possible," said Gyllenhaal. "It's time we rewrite the narrative—one that reflects the truth: the social sector is a force of innovation, impact, and economic power. Five & Rising is how we break the old frame and finally fund real change."

With more than 25 years of experience in the social impact space, the Center for Community Impact provides strategic coaching, community building, idea generation, and organizational development support to empower organizations to dream big, create bold strategic plans, and scale their impact. Its mission and track record made it a natural fit for Five & Rising's national debut.

Through Five & Rising, the Center will strengthen rural-serving organizations in Northwest Ohio by assembling a collective voice for change, launching shared infrastructure and leadership boot camps. By co-creating strategies that attract investment and developing a shared services ecosystem, the Center is ensuring that local organizations can focus on what matters most: serving their communities and solving challenges.

"Being chosen as part of this national launch is an incredible honor for Northwest Ohio," said Aileen Meyer, CEO of the Center for Community Impact. "Our region is filled with innovative leaders who deeply desire to work collectively to tackle tough challenges, and Five & Rising gives us the chance to show what that collaboration can achieve. This program will boldly equip social enterprises to make lasting impact.  We are designing solutions that can strengthen the social sector across the country."

In their first year, the Center for Community Impact and the other pilot communities– Changemakers in Hawaii and Progressive Life Center in the Mid-Atlantic—will participate in a yearlong curriculum to strengthen organizational resilience, reframe harmful narratives, and expand their influence. This knowledge will fuel cross-sector solutions that bring philanthropy, government, business, and community members together to confront local challenges and build collective action plans, creating a playbook that can be scaled nationally.

As one of just three inaugural communities, Northwest Ohio will not only strengthen its own social sector but also help chart the course for a national movement that redefines how communities are supported across the country.

About the Center for Community Impact
The Center for Community Impact helps businesses and nonprofit organizations with the drive to address pressing societal issues unlock their full potential. With more than 25 years of experience in the social impact space, the Center offers strategic coaching, community building, idea generation, and organizational development support to empower clients to dream big, create bold strategic plans, and scale their impact. Based in Northwest Ohio, the Center is dedicated to building shared infrastructure and collaborative strategies that strengthen rural-serving organizations and communities.     

About Five & Rising
Five & Rising is a national movement led by Social Current to unleash the social sector from the restrictions that limit its impact. Working with communities across the country, Five & Rising co-creates bold funding models, challenges broken norms, and builds the infrastructure needed for systemic change. Five & Rising is more than a campaign; it's a call to rethink how the social sector is funded, valued, and supported. Learn more and join the movement at FiveAndRising.org.

About Social Current
Social Current is the premier partner and solutions provider to a diverse network of more than 1,800 human and social service organizations. Together with our network, we are activating the power of the social sector to effect broader systemic change that is needed to achieve our vision of an equitable society where all people can thrive. We support, strengthen, and amplify the work of the social sector in five core integrated areas including brain science and trauma-informed approaches; COA Accreditation; child, family, and community well-being; government affairs and advocacy; and leadership and organizational development.

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SOURCE Social Current