Join Our Movement to Support Oakland’s Young Learners

To Fulfill their College and Career Dreams

Striving to create equity, Oakland Promise (OP) empowers Oakland’s young people with opportunities to make a difference in their lives and in our world.

Get Involved Become a Mentor

For Students & Families

Learn about our programs for supporting the education of young people at each stage of their growth.

Ways to Get Involved

Learn about opportunities to donate, mentor, volunteer or champion OP.

Current Oakland Promise Scholars

Get access to the Scholar Hub resources to equip you for college and career.

Current Mentors

Get access to the resources to help you in mentoring OP Scholars.

Our Programs

Prior to the inception of OP, fewer than 500 Oakland public school 12th graders graduated from a 2 or 4-year college within 6 years of high school graduation each year. Our programs provide cradle-to-college and career preparation in the form of financial, advisory and resource support to youth of all ages.

We start with our youngest people and through the age continuum to ensure all students have an equitable opportunity to enter and complete college and prepare them for career of their choice.

Brilliant Baby

Approximately 2,200 babies are born into poverty in Oakland each year. We equip brilliant babies and their families with a great start through college savings accounts (CSAs), financial guidance and community.

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Kindergarten to College

Approximately 5,000 students start Kindergarten in Oakland public schools each year. We provide every qualifying Oakland student a K2C Early College Scholarship and offer school-based supports to participating elementary and middle schools.

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College Access

Each year, 10,000 high school students in Oakland Public Schools have access to scholarships, Future Centers and personalized support to set them on a path to college, career technical education and career success.

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College Completion

Each year, over 400 new high school graduates become OP college scholars. We equip our Scholars with scholarships, mentorship and persistence support to finish their college or career technical education (CTE) degrees.

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What We’re Doing

To achieve our mission, we are a(n):

1.Leader in Direct Action
2.Intermediary Convener
3.Influencer of Policy

College Affordability

We strive to make college and career technical education (CTE) affordable for families through scholarships, college savings accounts (CSAs), advocacy for lower tuition policy and partnerships.

College-bound Identity and Persistence

We support students to and through post-secondary education by providing resources, mentorship, guidance, college-culture expectations and community.

Families’ Engagement in Children’s Education

We share information, expectations, resources, and financial guidance with parents and caregivers so that they feel confident in supporting their student to make college or career technical education a reality.

Financial Capability

We provide guidance and advisory support to help families plan for the financial commitments needed for post-secondary education completion.

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Here’s How Oakland Promise Supports Young People to Finish Post-Secondary Education

Over 79% of Oakland Promise funding goes directly to the young people and families in Oakland. Since the founding of Oakland Promise in 2016, here are some highlights:

1300+.

Families of infants and kindergartners set up a 529 college savings account (CSA) for their child, seeded with funds from Oakland Promise.

20,000 students.

Elementary school students have a $100 Kindergarten to College (K2C) Early College Scholarship Fund.

10,000.

Middle and High school students receive targeted college and career readiness supports.

1,800.

Students receive $14 million in OP scholarships and persistence supports. Over 1,100 Scholars were paired with a Mentor. 84-91% of OP Scholars persisted from first year to second year of college.

Donate Now View Financial IRS Form 990

Stories of Our Impact

Stories Shared by OP Program Participants

Commentary by parents, educators, students and alumni
OP Volunteers Speak on the Joys of Being Mentors

Three of of mentors share their experiences
Our Partners Speak on Partnering with OP

Leaders from Harlem Children's Zone, Oakland NAACP & #OaklandUndivided share their perspectives.
CREWS – First Year College Students Discuss Support They Received

CREWS Participants - 1st Year College Students
Overview of Oakland Promise (2019)

Various speakers share their experiences.