Great Lakes Releases 2015 Philanthropy Report Detailing $28.5 Million in Commitments

Highlights programs, research designed to get more at-risk students to and through college

Madison, Wis., March 31, 2016—Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation & Affiliates releases its 2015 Philanthropy Report today, highlighting its work over the past year to close the college completion gap faced by students of color, low-income students and first-generation students.

"With over half of jobs now requiring a postsecondary degree or credential, college completion has never been more important," said Richard D. George, President and Chief Executive Officer of Great Lakes. "Yet it remains elusive for too many students—especially for the at-risk students who are the focus of our education philanthropy."

For this group, the path to college completion is often a difficult journey. Financial challenges, readiness for college-level coursework, even "fitting in" to college life are among the roadblocks that can impede progress and dash hopes of self-improvement. For nearly 50 years, Great Lakes has focused on helping these traditionally underserved students get to and through college.

Great Lakes makes grants to colleges, universities, community-based organizations and research initiatives that demonstrate promising approaches to overcoming barriers to graduation, with the aim of learning which ideas work best and taking them to scale.

The report details several of the grants, partnerships and research initiatives Great Lakes launched in 2015, as well as a complete listing of 2015 funding recipients.

To read the full 2015 Philanthropy Report, visit community.mygreatlakes.org.