Our Mission
Give Something Back (Give Back) provides college scholarships and mentoring to students who have faced economic hardship and other adversities such as foster care or the incarceration of a parent.
The Give Back Difference
There are scholarships. There are mentoring programs. Give Back is both. And, our model is ground breaking.
Our Scholars
Give Back scholars are academically motivated and resilient. Most are first generation college students who come from families below the poverty line. A special outreach is given to students who have experienced heightened social risks such as foster care or the incarceration of a parent.
Investing in Futures
Every Give Back scholar receives a full scholarship that covers college tuition, fees, room and board, lifting the heavy financial burden associated with higher education.
More than Money
We select scholars early—as soon as ninth grade—so they benefit from college readiness programs, campus visits, financial aid workshops, test prepatory classes and social events. Scholars are required to take a rigorous courseload, remain in good academic standing and demonstrate strong character.
Mentoring is Integral
A pillar of our program is our volunteer mentors who support, challenge, guide and hold their scholars accountable throughout high school. Learn how you can become a mentor.
Powerful Partnerships
From our college partners to valued high school counselors, strong partnerships are critical to our success. We rely on the expertise of our community partners to serve as an extension of our team. Learn more about our valued partners.
Give Back’s Unique Financial Model
By utilizing government financial aid, in-state tuition and subsidies from our generous college partners, the Give Back financial model maximizes the number of scholars who can attend college at one of our valued partner schools.
How it All Adds Up:
- Give Back selects a partner college and provides a large, upfront contribution to the school.
- The college can use the contribution as unrestricted dollars for four years before our scholars ever set foot on campus—typically earning interest.
- In exchange, the college generously fills the rest of the financial gap so that tuition, fees, room & board are covered for the scholars.
- A written partner agreement outlines that the college will reserve a designated number of spots for Give Back scholars at a deeply discounted cost. This way we do not make promises we can’t keep, despite rising costs of college or future economic downturns.
How Do We Know it Works?
To date, we have pre-paid for over 1,500 scholars to go to college, an upfront investment of over $35 million.
Give Back alumni are succeeding:
91% college graduation rate
100% employment rate
Over 50% have become mentors
Have become doctors, attorneys, executives, teachers and more
What Our Scholars Say About Give Back:
Board of Directors
Robert Carr
Board Member, Founder and Chairman
Susan Herbst-Murphy
Board Member
John Murphy
Board Member
Jonathan Watson
Board Member and Treasurer
Michael Parker
Board Member
Richard Clemens
Board Member