10,000 Degrees Releases Five-Year Strategic Plan to Expand College Access and Career Success for More Than 150,000 New Students

The five-year blueprint will scale and strengthen the organization's proven model to support more students from low-income and first-generation backgrounds

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, 10,000 Degrees, a national non-profit committed to expanding college access and career success for students from low-income and first-generation backgrounds, unveiled its 2027-2031 Strategic Plan.

Since its founding in 1981, 10,000 Degrees has supported 92,000 students and awarded over $123 million in scholarships. Its scholars graduate at a rate twice the national average, and over 85% do so debt-free. This five-year strategic plan significantly expands the organization's proven college success model with the goal of reaching thousands more students and building on the momentum of a historic $42 million gift from MacKenzie Scott and Yield Giving.

"Over 45 years of helping students overcome barriers to higher education, we've learned what's possible when students have the resources, guidance and support to succeed," said Kim Mazzuca, president and CEO of 10,000 Degrees. "This strategic plan presents an opportunity to build on what we know while setting an ambitious vision for the future. With the support of this historic investment by MacKenzie Scott and Yield Giving, we will ensure that a new generation of students from low-income backgrounds have the opportunity to earn a college degree and build meaningful careers."

By 2031, 10,000 Degrees is determined to reach 155,000 new students from low-income backgrounds. More specifically, the organization will reach 100,000 high school students with college access programming and 20,000 college students with scholarships and career guidance, and will support 5,000 college graduates in launching meaningful, economically mobilizing careers. In the process, the organization will expand its programs across five more regions in and outside of California.

The value of higher education is indisputable, but America's education opportunity gap continues to determine who can enroll in and graduate from college. Among students from high-income backgrounds, 74% enroll in college and 58% graduate with a bachelor's degree by the age of 24. For students from low-income backgrounds, the enrollment figure drops to 42% and the graduation rate falls to 14%. 10,000 Degrees' strategic plan seeks to shrink this gap by connecting students from low-income backgrounds with the resources, guidance and financial support they need to reach and complete college.

The strategic plan focuses on five programmatic priorities. Each will guide the organization's work through 2031:

• Growing 4-year & Community College Success: Expand college readiness, scholarships and community college transfer support services to increase college graduation and career attainment for students from low-income backgrounds.
• Embedding Innovation, Technology and AI: Leverage predictive analytics and artificial intelligence to build a comprehensive technology ecosystem for 10,000 Degrees scholars, improve organizational efficiency and identify new interventions that improve student outcomes.
• Shaping the National Conversation About College Completion Equity: Disseminate 10,000 Degrees' proven practices and college-going knowledge through expanded state and national partnerships, media storytelling and an internal policy task force.
• Building Organizational Adaptability and Resilience: Invest in the organization's people, volunteers and alumni to support consistent and sustainable growth.
• Ensuring Long-term Financial Stability and Growth: Diversify the organization's funding, expand recurring contributions, strengthen unrestricted reserves and grow 10,000 Degrees' endowment.

For more information about 10,000 Degrees, visit www.10000degrees.org. For media inquiries, contact Kyle McIntyre at [email protected] 

About 10,000 Degrees®
10,000 Degrees® is a non-profit organization that creates equitable opportunities for students from low-income backgrounds to access quality college education and achieve career success. 10,000 Degrees has worked with more than 92,000 students and awarded more than $123 million in scholarships over the past 46 years, helping to break the cycle of generational poverty and create a positive ripple effect in the lives of students and their communities for generations to come. For more information about 10,000 Degrees, please visit www.10000degrees.org, or connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram.

Contact: Kyle McIntyre
Phone: (646) 639-1379
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE 10,000 Degrees