Dear Friends of Minds Matter Boston,
It has been a year like no other in higher education. The pandemic has exacerbated chronic inequities in postsecondary opportunity for low-income and first-generation students: in high-poverty high schools the number of graduates enrolling in college fell 11.4%, FAFSA applications dropped 18%, and early decision applications for first-generation students dropped 10%. More than ever, vulnerable students are losing access to one of our country’s only viable pathways out of poverty.
Our mission to connect driven and determined low-income students with the people, preparation, and possibilities to access and succeed in college has never been more critical. And, the achievements of our students are all the more exceptional in this moment:
100% of our seniors were accepted into a four-year college;
83% of seniors committed to a "selective" school as defined by Barron’s Top Three Tiers including, Columbia University, New York University, Northeastern University, UMass Amherst & Tufts University;
92% of seniors’ financial need was met through first-year financial aid and earned scholarships;
97% of program alumni are still enrolled or have already graduated from college.
You can read more about these achievements in our 2021 Impact Report.
Our goals for growth and impact have also taken on a new urgency, and I’m proud to say that we are entering the new program year stronger than ever:
We successfully grew our enrollment by 20% to serve 149 students;
We added four new Board members;
We hired an incredible team member: Samantha Carter, our first Development Coordinator who also serves as a volunteer mentor;
We raised $900k with an eye towards sustainable, recurring revenue;
Received a $300k Catalyst Grant from Wellington Management Foundation to launch our three-year strategic growth plan to expand enrollment by 75%;
Received a $350k, a ten-year gift from the Cummings Foundation which ensures the stability of MMB for future generations.
In the coming year, we will grow enrollment again by 25% and add another full-time staff member to our team. The progress we’ve made, and the enthusiastic support for our continued growth, reaffirms our decision to launch an ambitious, strategic expansion in 2020.
As the world continues opening, I am excited and hopeful for what the future holds. I look forward to sharing that future with you as we pursue our goal of unleashing the power and potential of our students.
Thank you,
Rachel Kanter
Executive Director
We are honored to have the Cummings Foundation's support in encouraging the education and empowerment of the next generation of Boston's leaders. We hope you will support us too!