With groundbreaking infrastructure in place as part of the NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program, NYC Public School Alumni are organizing their communities to invest in students in the neighborhood elementary schools where they grew up.

Second-annual campaign seeks to double the number of participating alumni, and support college and career dreams of more than 5,000 young children in all five boroughs.

November 18, 2024

NEW YORK — Alumni from NYC Public Schools—with NYC Kids RISE—today announced the 2024-2025 launch and significant expansion of the NYC Public School Alumni Community Scholarships initiative, a first-of-its-kind vehicle for New Yorkers to invest socially and financially in the next generation of public school students from their neighborhoods. Through the NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program, there are over 200,000 students in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade with NYC Scholarship Accounts, with a total of $35 million in assets accumulated to support their college and career goals.

New York City Public School Alumni, graduates of the largest and most diverse school system in the country, are leveraging the City’s unparalleled Save for College Program infrastructure to support children’s college and career futures. Through the Program, nearly every NYC Public Schools student, starting in Kindergarten, receives an NYC Scholarship Account with an initial investment for college and career training, and opportunities to receive additional rewards over time, invested in a NY 529 Direct Plan account. The Program opens doors for New Yorkers to contribute Community Scholarships to students’ accounts, build wealth and pride across public school communities, and send powerful messages of support for children’s college and career dreams from role models who share neighborhood roots.

Last school year, alumni from 34 elementary schools across the city helped channel more than $400,000 into the NYC Scholarship Accounts of kindergarten, first and second grade students. This year, alumni are calling on more peers to join the campaign, aiming to double the number of alumni creating scholarships and benefit more than 5,000 third grade students citywide.

Alumni have already signed on to the campaign and are organizing and contributing to Community Scholarships for today’s third graders at their former elementary schools. In addition to raising funds for the college and career dreams of today’s students, alumni, who represent diverse and thriving social and professional networks, will share valuable social capital by connecting with families and students at their elementary alma maters through school visits, video messages, virtual career fairs, and more. The campaign is supported by Altman Foundation and Gray Foundation.

“As an alum of both New York City public schools and NYC Kids RISE, I am proud to help launch this year’s Save for College Program’s Alumni Community Scholarships. P.S. 69 gave me the education, the confidence, and the community that have opened countless doors and led me to an incredibly fulfilling career. With this program, generations of New York City Schools alumni will now have the opportunity to open doors and create new possibilities for today’s elementary school students,” said Murray Abeles, P.S. 69 in Jackson Heights alumnus and NYC Kids RISE Board Member.

“The Save for College Program made it possible for me to give back to the elementary school community that helped me get to where I am today. When I was a student at P.S. 92, I loved learning new things and how I could make a difference in my community. Today, I co-founded a company working with leaders across government to support my neighbors in New York City and beyond. I am thrilled to now have this opportunity to pay it forward to P.S. 92 Mary McLeod Bethune students like me,” said Amelia Adams, P.S. 92 in Harlem alumna.

“Access to an excellent education unlocks doors to economic mobility and success, and I am thrilled to play a small part in that by leading an NYC Public School Alumni Community Scholarship for the students at P.S. 30 in the South Bronx,” said Jemina Bernard, P.S. 30 in the Bronx alumna and President & Chief Operating Officer at Teach For America. “In the same way that my P.S. 30 second grade teacher, Mrs. Schwartz, did for me, I want to support children learning in the same classrooms I once did, and help provide tangible ways to ensure they know that any dream is possible.”

“When I was in elementary school in Brownsville, it meant the world to me to meet or learn about role models from my neighborhood doing interesting things, and to have family and community members who showed that they believed in me. The P.S. 298 Dr. Betty Shabazz Alumni Community Scholarship is one way I can make sure that kids from my elementary alma mater have the same support for their futures,” said Lori Boozer, P.S. 298 in Brownsville, Brooklyn alumna and Managing Director at Robin Hood Foundation.

“Central Park East elementary school in East Harlem has been fundamental to my development and success. My mom was a teacher there, but all the teachers and school leaders gave students the boost that would ripple across lives and across their families,” said Craig Canton, Central Park East alumnus. “Investing in the elementary school students in Harlem through Alumni Community Scholarships is another boost, one that every NYC Public School student deserves.”

“I have been thrilled to reconnect with my elementary school in Staten Island through NYC Public Schools Alumni Community Scholarships. It has been amazing to support the students of P.S. 29 today, not just funding their college and career aspirations, but making sure they know that I’m behind them. My fellow alumni across the city have a one-of-a-kind opportunity to help the next generation of students build their futures and I hope that every New York City Schools alum that can participate does so,” said Mark Foggin, P.S. 29 in Staten Island alumnus and Interim Chief Executive Officers at the Arab American Family Support Center.

“I am so proud to be a P.S.11Q graduate. I jumped at the chance to lead the P.S.11Q Community Scholarship and encourage the college and career dreams of elementary school students like me,” said Eric Gioia, P.S.11 in Queens alumnus. “If you went to public elementary school in New York City, this is one of the most unique and consequential investments you can make in the next generation, an investment of social and financial capital for their educational futures.”

“I attended public school from Kindergarten through 12th grade. I was fortunate that my grade schools prepared me to attend Bronx Science. I still believe in public school education and because of the NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program, students and their parents will be actively engaged as they have a one-of-a-kind chance for a valuable resource. I am proud to be part of NYC Public Alumni Community Scholarships and sending messages of support to students,” said Bernell Grier, P.S. 28 alumna and Strategic Advisor at IMPACCT Brooklyn.

“The young people of P.S. 76, and the whole City, deserve every opportunity to succeed and to dream. NYC Public Schools Alumni Community Scholarships will help them do exactly that. I have been working with NYC Kids RISE for years to help ensure that public school students can reach their full potential, and I hope that my fellow alumni who share that mission will participate in the program,” said Corinne Haynes, P.S. 76 in Long Island City alumna, President of the Queensbridge Houses Resident Association.

“I have watched the NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program in Queens for many years. It has been a long time coming to Brooklyn, and now that it is here, I am committed to leveraging this unique wealth building platform to support our children.” said Quardean Lewis-Allen, P.S. 135 Sheldon A. Brookner in Brooklyn alumnus and Founder and Executive Director of Youth Design Center. “Through the NYC Public School Alumni Community Scholarships, students have proof that their friends and neighbors are invested in their success. I am proud to support the students at my alma mater at P.S. 135 Sheldon A. Brookner!”

“I am proud to support my old Brooklyn elementary school with a Community Scholarship,” said composer and P.S. 9 in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn alumnus Chris “Oledude” Owens.  “High expectations, encouragement, and financial support from alumni like me can be game-changing for young people. That’s why I consider a personal Community Scholarship for a student to be the ultimate example of ‘giving back to the community.’ I encourage all NYC Public School Alumni to join this important opportunity to create change.”

“The NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program provides a mechanism for us to come together to support students in NYC Public Schools. The NYC Public School Alumni Community Scholarship Campaign I organized last year demonstrates just how powerful the platform really is–a first-of-its-kind vehicle for alumni to give to the students in the same neighborhood where they grew up,” said Randy Peers, P.S. 114 alumnus and Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President & CEO. “In addition to actual dollars, it provides a way for alumni to showcase to students possibilities for their future. The businesses of Brooklyn thrive when the students in our public schools get support to achieve their dreams. I hope all Brooklynites will join me in contributing to the students attending their neighborhood alma mater.”

“I once heard that it’s not enough to create value—you need to signal value. One incredible way to signal, to show students that we have their backs and are invested in their future, is through the NYC Public School Alumni Community Scholarship. There’s no stronger message or action than coming together for students’ futures. P.S. 148 taught me early on what it means to have a community rooting for you, no matter your circumstances. As NYC Kids RISE launches the second citywide campaign, I want to give a shout-out to everyone who contributed, especially the alumni, and I encourage my former classmates and the beloved P.S. 148 community to join this year’s fundraising efforts,” said Carolina V. Valencia, P.S. 148 alumna and Director of Partnerships for Epicenter NYC.

“The NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program provides a unique mechanism whereby New Yorkers can come together to send a tangible message to our children that their community and our city is behind them. Thank you to all the NYC Public School Alumni who are stepping up and coming together to invest in the futures of the third graders sitting in their former elementary school seats. Our kids become what they see, and through this effort, together we are opening up a world of opportunities. We’re grateful to all participating NYC Public School Alumni, the Gray Foundation, the Altman Foundation, and the incredible school communities for leading the way in supporting the college and career dreams of all our children,” said NYC Kids RISE Founding Executive Director Debra-Ellen Glickstein.

“NYC Public Schools is lucky to boast a large and accomplished network of alumni, who are a testament to the power of a NYCPS education,” said Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos. “Through the NYCPS Alumni Community Scholarships, our alumni can provide opportunities for the next generation of New Yorkers and ensure our current students have every chance to imagine bright futures and pursue their highest aspirations. We’re grateful to the alumni, neighbors, and funders participating in this unique partnership.”

“I am deeply grateful to the New York City Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice, NYC Kids RISE, and the alumni who have come together to launch the inaugural New York City Public School Alumni Community Scholarship, offering a vital opportunity to support the college and career aspirations of our young students, regardless of their immigration status,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Ana J. Almanzar. “As an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, my own journey has been shaped by both great opportunities and significant challenges, all of which have contributed to the person I am today. The Adams administration is committed to making New York City a safe and affordable city, and it is exactly programs like these, which make life easier for working-class families and help our youngest New Yorkers achieve a bright future. These scholarships send a powerful message to all children—that their community stands behind them, fully invested in their success.”

“The Alumni Scholarship campaign truly demonstrates the transformative power of the Save for College program — allowing everyone to play a role in investing in our children’s future,” said New York City Chief Equity Officer and Commissioner of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice, Sideya Sherman. “New York City Public Schools have nurtured generations of talented New Yorkers, including many who are community role models today. We are deeply grateful to all the alumni for giving back and pouring their time, energy, and resources into the next generation. Their efforts will inspire others and make a lasting impact on school communities across our city.”

“Ensuring that our children have the tools and resources they need to avoid the financial mistakes that us adults have made is key to leading a financially healthy adulthood,” said Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga. “Thank you to NYC Kids RISE for sharing in our commitment to making sure our children have the ability to pursue their goals and reduce future student loan debt.”

“Thanks to the infrastructure of the NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program, alumni of NYC Public Schools can work together to ensure that all kids across the five boroughs grow up knowing their community supports them and they have a real financial asset for their future,” said Dana Zucker, Chief Executive Officer of the Gray Foundation and Chair of the Board of NYC Kids RISE. “I look forward to even more NYC public school alumni giving back to their community, and demonstrating the power of New Yorkers coming together in support of our children.”

About Alumni Community Scholarships

The NYC Public School Alumni Community Scholarship is part of the NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program, a community tool New Yorkers can use to build wealth in their neighborhoods and support the college and career dreams of their children, no matter their family income or immigration status. Through the Save for College Program, every NYC Public Schools student, starting in Kindergarten, receives an NYC Scholarship Account with an initial $100 dedicated to college and career savings, plus opportunities to earn additional scholarship rewards and Community Scholarships. To date, more than 200,000 NYC public school students across the five boroughs have a financial asset for college and career training with funds that collectively amount to more than $35 million. This school year, approximately 65,000 kindergarten students will be able to activate and view their new NYC Scholarship Accounts in January 2025.

Community Scholarships are opportunities for local organizations, businesses, neighbors, and systems to work together to further invest in each child’s future, and show them that their community is supporting their success. Anyone can contribute to and/or launch a Community Scholarship, and each one reinforces expectations of students’ success and shows children that their community supports their dreams. 100% of contributions are allocated directly into, and distributed evenly across, a group of students’ NYC Scholarship Accounts, and are paired with investments of social capital. Communities can leverage the Save for College Program to advance their college and career readiness and financial education goals with access to resources ranging from college exploration trips, career days, and more.

Each alum establishing an NYC Public School Alumni Community Scholarship commits to raising a minimum of $5 per student. All contributions will be matched through philanthropic support, and go to the NYC Scholarship Accounts of third graders at their former elementary schools. For information on how to organize an NYC Public School Alumni Community Scholarship for students at your former elementary school, contact [email protected]. NYC Kids RISE team members will provide turnkey tools, technical support, and guidance to alumni. Anyone interested in supporting the college and career futures of elementary school students in New York City neighborhoods can also contribute to students’ NYC Scholarship Accounts through a donation to NYC Kids RISE.

About NYC Kids RISE

The NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program is a community tool New Yorkers can use to build wealth in their neighborhoods and support the college and career dreams of their children. The public-private-community partnership provides NYC public school students, starting in kindergarten, with financial resources for higher education and support from their communities to achieve their goals. To date, more than 200,000 students across New York City have accumulated over $35 million across their NYC Scholarship Accounts for their educational futures and career aspirations.

NYC Kids RISE is a nonprofit organization managing the Save for College Program in partnership with NYC Public Schools and the City of New York. Starting in the 2021-2022 school year, and every year going forward, students in eligible grades enrolled in an NYC public elementary school (in­cluding participating charter schools) auto­matically receive an NYC Scholarship Account invested in a NY 529 Direct Plan account with an initial $100 seed allocation and opportunities to earn more through early rewards, unless their families choose not to participate.

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