Postsecondary education and workforce training are the surest paths to a good job. Unfortunately, the very groups that could benefit the most from these opportunities have historically been underrepresented, and learners who do have access are less likely than their peers to complete their program and gain a degree, certificate, or credential of value.

We believe our systems are to blame for these outcomes, not learners. That’s why our philanthropy targets the root causes of the barriers learners encounter as they pursue education or training after high school. All of our grantmaking is driven by our mission: to ensure that more learners from low-income backgrounds — especially first-generation students, incarcerated adults, rural community members, students of color, and veterans — can reap the benefits of postsecondary education and workforce training to achieve upward mobility.