Policy & Advocacy Institute
Building Equity That Lasts
The Sims-Fayola Policy & Advocacy Institute turns lived experience into bold, community-rooted systems change. By reshaping public policy, institutional practices, and collective mindsets, SFPIA ensures that equity is not situational; it’s systemic.
Our work spans education, workforce, justice, and mental health, where boys and young men of color face persistent inequities. Through policy research, advocacy, and grassroots voice, we are driving a future where opportunity is shared and inclusive excellence is the norm.
Focus Areas
Transforming Experience Into Systems Change For Young Men of Color
Policy Advocacy
Systems Change
We align institutions to remove barriers and innovate for equity at scale.
We translate field insights into actionable recommendations that shape legislation and public discourse.
Collective Impact
We convene partners across sectors to build coordinated ecosystems of support.
Key Initiatives
Theory of Change
The Foundation believes that the outcomes experienced by boys and young men of color are largely determined by the quality of the systems in which they live. When those systems operate in isolation, create inconsistent expectations, or fail to coordinate resources effectively, disparities persist regardless of individual organizations' commitment. The Policy & Advocacy Institute exists to strengthen those systems.
By generating practical evidence through the Foundation's demonstration initiatives, convening cross-sector leaders around shared priorities, producing research grounded in community experience, developing leaders capable of influencing public systems, and advancing evidence-informed public policy, the Institute helps communities create stronger systems of belonging. Over time, those stronger systems increase opportunity, improve coordination, and create the conditions necessary for boys and young men of color to thrive.
The Sims-Fayola Policy & Advocacy Institute (SFPIA) is the strategic engine of Vision 2030, advancing equity for boys and young men of color through bold policy advocacy, systems change, and collective impact across Colorado.
Vision 2030
Impact & Evidence
We don't just advocate, we measure.
Active Engagement
Policy Involvement
Fellows co-authoring statewide policy briefs on educator diversity.
100+ stakeholders engaged through MBK Action Tables.
Field Credibility
Ongoing evaluation that builds field-level credibility and trust.
Evaluation & Learning
Partnering with Brigham & Associates, we ground our work in data, real-time learning, and rigorous evaluation. This ensures our policy recommendations are credible, evidence-informed, and accountable to community realities.
