“College was not just a dream anymore.”
A Terra Linda High School senior reflects on discovering CalKIDS, California’s free college savings program for eligible students and newborns. This year, partners across Marin worked together to help families unlock over $47,000 in new savings, making it easier for students to pursue college with confidence and support.
Michael Looft, the Backbone Team’s Director of Technology, set out on a road trip to visit fellow place-based partnerships across the country. Along the way, he explored how communities are tackling similar challenges, reminding us how staying connected to the national StriveTogether network helps our backbone team bring fresh insight, tested strategies, and renewed purpose back to Marin.
In Marin, many students of color go through school without ever having a teacher who looks like them. That is starting to change. This story follows a cross-sector partnership that listened to educators of color, removed systemic barriers, and built a lasting Educator Pathway.
Where a family lives shouldn’t dictate their access to education, health, or economic opportunity—but in Marin County, it often does. Some places are thriving while others face barriers to opportunity. These disparities shape children’s futures long before they set foot in a classroom. Take a look at our vision to deepen our impact.
