Annual program supports education innovation
and equity;
Recipient organizations chosen by
employees
LOS
ANGELES, July 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- For the 10th
year, ECMC Foundation is distributing funding to nonprofit
organizations nominated and selected by employees of the
Foundation's parent company, ECMC Group. The national philanthropic
organization has announced that 111 nonprofits will receive a
portion of the total $1,005,000 in
grants, which will go to organizations that focus on closing equity
gaps in education.
"Equity in education it is the cornerstone of a fair and
prosperous society," said Jacob
Fraire, president of ECMC Foundation. "By investing in
organizations that uplift students and pave their way for a
brighter future, we advance toward our goal of eliminating equity
gaps in postsecondary education completion."
Since 2015, ECMC Foundation has funded the GO! Program
(Generating Outcomes: Funding Innovation and Racial Equity in
Education), which provides grants to nonprofits selected by
employees. Each year, team members nominate local organizations to
receive grants in support of their educational work that aligns
with ECMC Group's and ECMC Foundation's mission to help students
succeed, particularly those from underserved populations.
Grant dollars fund education programs spanning from early
childhood through postsecondary education.
"When our team members actively participate in allocating grant
dollars to support underserved youth, they not only contribute to
our company's mission but also feel a profound sense of connection
to the impact they are making, bridging purpose with action," said
Dan Fisher, president and CEO of
ECMC Group.
Here are testimonials from ECMC Group employees that illustrate
the importance of the program in their own words:
- Theodora Jreh, an operations analyst at ECMC Group's
headquarters in Minneapolis,
nominated Girls Dream Code because she is inspired by its
mission to empower girls of color and low-income girls in the tech
field. The organization received a $20,000 grant.
"Their mission to bridge the gender and
diversity gap in technology is truly commendable," said Jreh. "I
love how their vision of aspiring to be great and innovate sets
them apart."
- Raymond Rushford, a business systems analyst at ECMC
Group's Sacramento office,
nominated Four Paws to Freedom because of its connection with
veterans and first responders. The organization received a
$20,000 grant.
"I chose to nominate Four Paws to Freedom
because of their obligation to aiding veterans and first responders
grappling with PTSD," said Rushford. "ECMC Group's affiliation with Four
Paws to Freedom comes from our shared belief in the transformative
power of education to strengthen underserved communities."
- Ireri Rivas Mier y Teran, a
program officer for ECMC Foundation in Los Angeles, nominated Immigrants
Rising because of its unique programming and the connection to
ECMC Foundation's mission. The organization received a $20,000 grant.
"Their work is a great example of how we can
transform the postsecondary ecosystem by uplifting undocumented
learners, meeting their basic needs and supporting them," said
Rivas Mier y Teran. "By supporting
these learners and their wellness, students can unlock their
fullest potential and receive their credentials."
- Mandy Schram, a remote employee who oversees one of ECMC's
college access centers, nominated Red Lake Nation
College (RLNC) because of its recent expansion to the
Minneapolis area. The organization
received a $5,000 grant.
"Aligned with ECMC's mission, RLNC is committed
to providing equitable access and culturally enriched academic
programs, addressing the significant educational disparities faced
by Native American students," said Schram. "Its commitment to
narrowing the equity gap in higher education for this underserved
population stands as a remarkable and unprecedented
achievement."
Including this year's GO! Program recipients, ECMC Foundation
has awarded 845 grants for a total of $11,404,924 since 2015.
About ECMC Foundation
ECMC Foundation is a national
foundation whose North Star goal is to eliminate equity gaps in
postsecondary completion by 2040. The Foundation's mission is to
improve higher education for career success among underserved
populations through evidence-based innovation. ECMC Foundation
makes strategic grants and program-related investments to support
both nonprofit and for-profit ventures, guided by a strategic
framework that aims to advance systemic change by removing barriers
to postsecondary completion; building the capacity of
organizations, institutions and systems; and transforming the
postsecondary ecosystem. Learn more about ECMC Foundation by
visiting www.ecmcfoundation.org.
About ECMC Group
ECMC Group is a nonprofit corporation
focused on helping students succeed. Headquartered in Minneapolis, ECMC Group and its family of
companies provide financial tools and services, as well as funding
for innovative programs to help students achieve their academic and
professional goals. To learn more, visit www.ecmcgroup.org.
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SOURCE ECMC Foundation