WHAT WE DO
We support collaboration between skill-building nonprofits and selective colleges to empower low-income, first-generation students to apply to selective colleges and advance on the pathway to economic mobility and leadership.
COMMUNITY
Build and strengthen the community of skill-building nonprofits and selective colleges so that they can harness the power of relationships and connections to collaborate
TRAINING
Provide professional development to educators and admissions officers so that they are empowered to share selective college knowledge with students from low-income, first-generation backgrounds
ADVOCACY
Develop, raise awareness about, and advocate for policies and solutions that improve selective college admission opportunities for students from low-income, first-generation backgrounds
KNOWLEDGE & RESOURCES
Gather, disseminate, and build knowledge and resources that can strengthen interventions and improve outcomes
INNOVATION
Formulate and pilot innovations that address systemic barriers to selective college access
WHO WE ARE
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CCO organizations are skill-building nonprofits
that enhance the academic, career-planning, communications and advocacy skills
of the students they serve. Our organizations serve students
in urban and rural communities in all regions of the United States.
Our organizational design is inclusive—as are the student participation criteria of our participating nonprofits. All qualifying low-income and first-generation students regardless of race, ethnicity or gender status are eligible to participate.
FUNDERS
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RECENT PROGRESS
Community: Jack Kent Cooke Foundation supported our three-day 2025 Convening of 41 nonprofits and 13 selective colleges
Training: “Behind the Scenes” virtual series provides valuable insights on selective college admissions for over 400 CBO attendees. CCO launches the “CBO Engagement Academy,” a four-part series helping college partners build effective partnerships with CBOs.
Resources: The CBO directory grows to 75 organizations, and the CBO Engagement Calendar invites colleges to over 50 local college access events
Innovation: Designed Early Decision Pilot for first-generation, low-income students, and identified priority issues for future design work
GET IN TOUCH
We can't wait to hear from you!
Connections to College Opportunity
C/O Grove Collective Foundation
5185 Macarthur Blvd., Ste 456
Washington, D.C. 20016