The United Way of Greater Cincinnati and the Strive Partnership won a $2 million Social Innovation Fund grant to invest in community programs in Cincinnati, Covington and Newport.

The grant comes from the Corporation for National and Community Services, a federal agency that operates the Senior Corps, Americorps and Learn and Serve America programs. Eleven grants will be handed out to organizations nationwide, according to a press release, and recipients were selected based on “a compelling program design, deep understanding of how to use evidence to drive community impact, a proven track record of achievement and strong organizational capacity,” according to a press release. The grant is distributed over two years.

The Strive partnership is made up of 300 organizations committed to improving student achievement in Greater Cincinnati’s urban areas.

“We are honored to receive this sizable grant and know it will help us build on years of collaborative work to identify what children and youth need to succeed from cradle to career,” said United Way CEO Rob Reifsnyder said in the release.