Minds Matter is preparing students for a brighter future
Minds Matter, Inc. is a nationally recognized college access mentoring non-profit serving high-achieving, low income students in thirteen cities across the United States.
Since its founding in New York City in 1991, the effectiveness of Minds Matter has been affirmed — 100 percent of our students have been accepted into a four-year college. The organization has expanded to thirteen cities, including Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, the Twin Cities, and Washington, D.C.
The 2016-2017 school year is the thirteenth year for Minds Matter of Denver (“MMD”) maintaining our high level of success. We have graduated 80 students, and 100% of them have been accepted to colleges with scholarships ranging from CU and CSU to Cornell and Columbia. The Denver chapter, founded in 2004, is the culmination of a grass-roots effort to level educational opportunities for disadvantaged students.
The Challenges Student Face
Only 40% of Colorado’s students who qualify for free-and-reduced lunch (i.e. income under 185% of the federal poverty limit) will graduate from high school.
of those Only 45% of Denver Public School students enroll in college, compared to 72% of their higher income peers.
of those Only 36% of college-qualified low-income students nationwide complete bachelor’s degrees within eight and a half years, compared with 81% of high-income students.
The Need For Better Education
Colorado has the largest ethnic achievement gap in the nation, as there are 39% more whites earning college degrees then Hispanics, compared to the average national gap of 19%.
Only 7% of low-income Denver Public School students actually graduate from college.
100% of MMD Students Accepted Into Four-Year Colleges & Universities
Minds matter Closes The Achievement Gap
Minds Matter’s goals are to increase academic performance, improve leadership skills, and obtain college financial aid/scholarships for disadvantaged Denver Public School high school students so they can attend a four-year university.
We provide a rigorous academic program for bright, motivated high school students from low income families -- the average Minds Matter family earns less than $25,000 per year.
How We Do It
Mentoring
Our academic mentors work with their students through a three-year program from sophomore to senior year.
Volunteers
Many volunteers meet with students for 3 hours on a weekly basis. This year, volunteers will donate over 8,000 hours of their time to MMD.
Donations
Minds Matter would not be possible without our generous donators helping to continue our organization.
We could use your help too
Our mission is to transform the lives of accomplished high school students from low-income families by broadening their dreams and preparing them for college success.