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be the spark to ignite change poster and group of excited alumni

Youth Igniting Change for 25+ Years

We are advocates and coaches serving youth and schools in low-income communities.
OUR MISSION SINCE 1996
PeerForward maximizes the power of positive peer influence to transform the lives of students in low-income communities by connecting them to higher education and careers.

PeerForward is a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit that has served schools across the nation for over two decades.

We confront the urgent crisis of education inequity that faces schools in under-resourced communities. There is a chasm between desire for degrees, and opportunity for low-income students to get them. This divide has a ripple effect, impacting every corner of our society.

PeerForward has found a way to level the playing field by tapping into an underutilized (and undervalued) resource already in every school: the students themselves. By empowering students (Peer Leaders) to help themselves and their fellow students persist to and through higher education, PeerForward dramatically improves postsecondary success at our partner schools, narrowing the higher education gap and launching generations towards career success and community leadership.

student leads peers at workshop

HIGH SCHOOLS: IMPROVING POSTSECONDARY PLANNING AND ENROLLMENT
PeerForward trains and supports teams of Peer Leaders in partner schools to run campaigns – comprising of events, social media, and one-to-one outreach – to get their peers enrolled in higher education. 

COLLEGES: HELPING STUDENTS PERSIST TO A DEGREE
PeerForward trains student Peer Leaders for paid positions advising and coaching caseloads of students at risk of stopping/dropping, improving persistence to a degree or credential. PeerForward brings peer-to-peer intervention into larger student retention strategies.

THE HEART OF A GREAT EDUCATOR.
We see potential, and tap power, in every person we engage.

THE MIND OF AN INNOVATOR.
We envision, we structure, we measure, we improve – constantly focused on getting results with our students and our partners.

THE SPIRIT OF AN INSPIRED STUDENT.
We do this with passion, humor, confidence, and joy.

President Barack Obama:
One of ten organizations selected by President Barack Obama for a portion of his Nobel Peace Prize award

Social Innovation Fund:
Two-time awardee for demonstration of innovation and proven impact.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce:
Recognized along with Deloitte as the nation’s top corporate-nonprofit partnership.

National Association for College Admission Counseling:
Received their highest award for improving college access.

World Economic Forum:
Awarded the U.S. Social Entrepreneur of the Year at the World Economic Forum

Ashoka, Manhattan Institute, and the Skoll Foundation:
Honored our founders with awards for social enterprise.

Great Value Colleges:
Recognized as a top 30 organization for boosting African-American Educational Achievement

HIGH SCHOOLS: IMPROVING POSTSECONDARY PLANNING AND ENROLLMENT
PeerForward trains and supports teams of Peer Leaders in partner schools to run campaigns – comprising of events, social media, and one-to-one outreach – to get their peers enrolled in higher education. 

COLLEGES: HELPING STUDENTS PERSIST TO A DEGREE
PeerForward trains student Peer Leaders for paid positions advising and coaching caseloads of students at risk of stopping/dropping, improving persistence to a degree or credential. PeerForward brings peer-to-peer intervention into larger student retention strategies.

THE HEART OF A GREAT EDUCATOR.
We see potential, and tap power, in every person we engage.

THE MIND OF AN INNOVATOR.
We envision, we structure, we measure, we improve – constantly focused on getting results with our students and our partners.

THE SPIRIT OF AN INSPIRED STUDENT.
We do this with passion, humor, confidence, and joy.

President Barack Obama:
One of ten organizations selected by President Barack Obama for a portion of his Nobel Peace Prize award

Social Innovation Fund:
Two-time awardee for demonstration of innovation and proven impact.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce:
Recognized along with Deloitte as the nation’s top corporate-nonprofit partnership.

National Association for College Admission Counseling:
Received their highest award for improving college access.

World Economic Forum:
Awarded the U.S. Social Entrepreneur of the Year at the World Economic Forum

Ashoka, Manhattan Institute, and the Skoll Foundation:
Honored our founders with awards for social enterprise.

Great Value Colleges:
Recognized as a top 30 organization for boosting African-American Educational Achievement

Started in a basement,
now we’re here!

Started in a basement,
now we’re here!

PeerForward began as College Summit in 1996 as a single workshop with four students in the basement of a community center in Washington, D.C. Today, we train 700+ Peer Leaders a year in 12 states and Bermuda, who in turn assist thousands more each year.

Our Story

After leading an essay writing workshop for students so they could apply to colleges, our founders noticed they reached out to their friends to offer similar support and guidance. Founders J.B. Schramm, Derek Canty, and Dr. Keith Frome began working on workshops, and ultimately school-based programs, to teach students to lead others along the path to higher education success. The model has evolved and expanded to include both high schools and colleges. But the power of peers remains the north star for all of PeerForward’s work. 

SINCE 1996, WE HAVE:

  • Guided more than 600,000 students in low-income communities on the path to college and career.
  • Received a portion of President Barack Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize.
  • Advocated for state and federal policy change to remove barriers that inhibit students in low income communities from advancing to higher education.
  • Earned special recognition from the World Economic Forum, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association for College Admission Counseling, the Skoll Foundation and the Manhattan Institute.
group of happy peerforward team members

“Our youth are powerful people who deserve all of the great benefits life has to offer, regardless of their zip code.”

— Gary Z. Linnen, CEO of PeerForward
Meet Our Team

Get Involved

Donate

Help us bring more resources to students in need.

Volunteer

Join our movement and make a direct impact on the lives of our youth.

Become a PeerForward School

Collaborate with us to foster a culture of postsecondary success at your high school or college.

Partner With Us

Connect with us to see how our mission aligns with yours.