KeyBank has awarded a $180,000 grant to Rainier Scholars – Tacoma, aiding the nonprofit's expansion of services for underrepresented students of color in the greater Tacoma area. This funding aims to provide comprehensive academic, social, and emotional support to help these students thrive academically and achieve college degrees.
Over the next three years, the program plans to onboard new student cohorts, create tailored curricula for middle and high school levels, and introduce a new entry point for 7th graders at First Creek Middle School. Rainier Scholars – Tacoma operates as a distinctive public-school partnership, working with educators to enhance the success of students facing significant challenges. This initiative supports Rainier Scholars' mission to develop the academic and leadership potential of underrepresented students of color through rigorous, transformative experiences that boost college graduation rates and foster the growth of future leaders.
The grant from KeyBank will be utilized for program implementation, including staffing, materials development, and supplies.
“At KeyBank, our mission is to help our communities thrive, and we know that an important building block is helping underserved youth realize their full potential and develop the skills that will lead to successful and fulfilling careers,” says South Puget Sound Market President Brian Marlow. “An educated workforce is at the heart of a prosperous regional economy.”
“The heart of our cohort model is the 12-year commitment we make to each scholar and their family from fifth grade through college graduation,” said Rainier Scholars Tacoma Associate Executive Director Jennifer Ward. “By systematically removing barriers to a college education, we work to ensure that students of color are afforded the same opportunities as their classmates and can realize their dreams with boundless options.”
Over the next three years, the program plans to onboard new student cohorts, create tailored curricula for middle and high school levels, and introduce a new entry point for 7th graders at First Creek Middle School. Rainier Scholars – Tacoma operates as a distinctive public-school partnership, working with educators to enhance the success of students facing significant challenges. This initiative supports Rainier Scholars' mission to develop the academic and leadership potential of underrepresented students of color through rigorous, transformative experiences that boost college graduation rates and foster the growth of future leaders.
The grant from KeyBank will be utilized for program implementation, including staffing, materials development, and supplies.
“At KeyBank, our mission is to help our communities thrive, and we know that an important building block is helping underserved youth realize their full potential and develop the skills that will lead to successful and fulfilling careers,” says South Puget Sound Market President Brian Marlow. “An educated workforce is at the heart of a prosperous regional economy.”
“The heart of our cohort model is the 12-year commitment we make to each scholar and their family from fifth grade through college graduation,” said Rainier Scholars Tacoma Associate Executive Director Jennifer Ward. “By systematically removing barriers to a college education, we work to ensure that students of color are afforded the same opportunities as their classmates and can realize their dreams with boundless options.”