PeerForward is excited to be included in the latest round of gifts from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. We are honored to receive her investment and vote of confidence in our work to support young leaders who are guiding their friends and peers to and through higher education.
In her announcement, Scott shared this:
“I recently learned a saying used in disability communities: ‘Nothing about us without us.’ For me, it’s another beautiful and powerful reminder. I needn’t ask those I care about what to say to them, or what to do for them. I can share what I have with them to stand behind them as they speak and act for themselves.”
PeerForward shares this approach. We train and support nearly 1,000 influential Peer Leaders in low-income communities to get more than 80,000 of their peers to and through college. PeerForward Peer Leaders organize events such as financial aid workshops, college nights, ‘office’ hours as well as a host of other events so that their peers know about the opportunities available to them and how to access them.
As a result, high school seniors unlock an additional $13 million in financial aid, and college students in the PeerForward program have a 71% higher degree completion rate. In other words, PeerForward takes the “influencer” trend – powerful with students through social media – and shows how to leverage it to drive consequential, positive change.
“This gift validates the support of our longstanding (and future) partners and donors. The need for the PeerForward Method has never been greater in light of the enrollment declines in higher education.” said Gary Z. Linnen, CEO of PeerForward. “Our team and students are deeply grateful.”
