College Possible Minnesota is excited to announce that an anonymous donor has made a gift of $1 million to support its mission to make college admission and success possible for students from under-represented backgrounds. For 23 years, College Possible has served thousands of students in Minnesota, helping to increase the number and diversity of college graduates, especially from under-represented communities and first-generation college students.
“Our work strives to reduce the opportunity gap that exists between students from low-income backgrounds and their higher-income peers,” said Vice President of Site Leadership and Interim Executive Director JR Tomkinson. “After earning their degrees, College Possible students enter the workforce and become the diverse, talented and skilled leaders Minnesota needs to thrive.”
Last year alone, College Possible Minnesota worked with more than 2,000 high school students, 85 partner high schools and colleges, and more than 3,500 college students. Its pioneering model matches eligible students with trusted, near-peer coaches and provides an intensive curriculum designed to help them overcome the most common barriers to getting into college and completing their degree. Students enrolled in the program receive one of the longest support cycles available, starting their junior year in high school and continuing through degree completion. Thanks to the generous support of its funders and partners, College Possible programs are offered at no cost to eligible students or their families.
“This donation reflects a strong vote of confidence in the work of College Possible and will allow us to serve more students in Minnesota while continuing to improve the effectiveness and impact of our programs,” said Tomkinson. “Although these funds were just received, we will be working with the Minnesota team to develop a plan to invest them where they’ll have optimal impact for College Possible Minnesota and the students we serve.”
