Beginning a new year, we are filled with deep gratitude for your care, generosity and love. Through your time, words, actions, you stood with us and our students through every moment of challenge and celebration this past year.
Our students showed remarkable courage and determination, remaining focused on their goals even amidst the constant barrage of media questioning the value of college and the growing fears for their future. With your support, they applied for FAFSA, navigated complex systems, enrolled, transferred, graduated, and launched careers. They persevered and persisted, knowing they had you and our community who cares deeply about their well-being and believes in their unlimited potential.
Because of you, 10,000 Degrees walked beside them all along the way.
Despite fears about sharing personal information and documentation status through FAFSA, our FAFSA Task Force assured our students that they could submit applications safely. When rising costs and unemployment threatened to put college out of reach, our staff helped them find financial aid and other resources, enabling them to graduate nearly debt-free, and our career team connected them with mentors, internships, and jobs.
Then by surprise, we received the news of the extraordinary gift and investment from MacKenzie Scott—an affirmation of our model, outcomes, track record, leadership and most importantly, the strength and generosity of this community. This gift continues to fill our hearts with joy and together, with your investment, we will be able to achieve even greater impact!
Without you, none of this would have been possible.
Your generous investment over the years created the most successful college success model in the country. With your continued partnership, we will dedicate every dollar to grow our reach and impact and sustain and strengthen 10,000 Degrees for decades to come. Our Board of Directors is finalizing our next 5-year Strategic Plan, and will soon share with you how we plan to significantly increase the number of students from low-income backgrounds to get to and through college—reaching more students than ever before—both locally and in communities beyond the Bay Area.
Thank you for sticking with us and our students—for walking alongside us on this journey—for continuing to sponsor events, establishing scholarships, volunteering at workshops, and giving generously. Your support fuels the vital programs that keep our students enrolled, persisting, and moving forward.
Thank you for your belief in us, our mission, and our students, and here’s to a healthy, happy and prosperous 2026!
With deepest gratitude,
Kim Mazzuca
President & CEO