Philadelphia Futures

Philadelphia Futures is a nonprofit organization that provides Philadelphia’s low-income, first-generation-to-college students with the tools, resources and opportunities necessary for admission to and success in college. We transform lives by breaking down the barriers that have historically excluded low-income, first-generation-to-college students from achieving college success. The students Philadelphia Futures serves are provided with a comprehensive, time-tested array of programs designed to reduce the institutional, academic, social and financial barriers to college success. Through our two direct service programs, Sponsor-A-Scholar (SAS) and College Connection, we annually serve nearly 600 high school and college students with academic enrichment services, personalized college guidance, placement and retention services and financial resources. Unique in their depth and duration, these intensive, individualized programs support students from high school through college completion. Our Sponsor-A-Scholar Program has served students for more than 25 years and has produced extraordinary results: 98% of students have matriculated to college. The projected college graduation rate for recent Sponsor-A-Scholar classes is 71%. Through our Outreach Futures initiative, including its centerpiece component the Step Up to College Guide, we offer college guidance resources to students, families, schools and community-based organizations in Philadelphia. Working with volunteer mentors, donors and school and college personnel in direct service to students, in partnership with educational institutions and in advocacy activities in the broader community, Philadelphia Futures increases the percentage of Philadelphia graduates prepared for higher education and reduces the institutional barriers to their academic success. Our model succeeds because it is built on a shared sense of responsibility for the future of Philadelphia.