$750,000 investment will support Chicago’s Southside Community College students; $750,000 Challenge Grant will fuel organization’s growth to increase graduation rates

Chicago, IL -- (SBWire) -- 06/08/2016 --One Million Degrees announced today that it has received a three-year $750,000 grant from the Caerus Foundation plus a $750,000 challenge grant to fund OMD expansion of its innovative services to community college students at Kennedy-King and Olive-Harvey Colleges in Chicago. Together, the opportunity for $1.5 million in total investment from Caerus Foundation, whose education funding is dedicated to providing opportunities for under-served communities, is the largest funding commitment received by OMD since its founding 10 years ago. OMD is the only organization in Chicago and one of few nationally to exclusively focus on community college students, providing the essential programs – tutoring, mentoring, professional development, and financial assistance – to increase graduation rates.

"We are enormously grateful for the Caerus Foundation grant, which will provide extraordinary opportunities for the Chicago region's community college students," said Paige Ponder, CEO of One Million Degrees. "The Caerus Foundation's investment validates our model to assist low-income students in graduating from community colleges and in moving along life-changing pathways to jobs, economic mobility, and opportunity for generations to come," added Ponder.

"We are excited to announce this three-year grant along with the $750,000 challenge opportunity, which we hope will encourage companies, foundations, and individuals across Chicagoland to invest in One Million Degrees' successful work with community college students," said Connie Giampapa, Director of the Caerus Foundation. "We know that a college degree is a pathway to success for students, families and their communities. We are proud to help OMD strengthen and grow its work to graduate more community college students and strengthen the regional economy."

The Caerus Foundation investment and challenge grants will help drive OMD's expansion across Chicagoland, growing from more than 400 scholars served this academic year to 700 this fall, with plans to serve 1,000 community college students by 2018 at community colleges in Chicago and the suburbs.

About One Million Degrees
One Million Degrees is the only organization in Illinois and one of few in the country dedicated to providing comprehensive supports to low-income, highly motivated community college students to help them succeed in school, in work, and in life. From tutors and coaches to financial assistance and life-skills training, OMD offers the support that empowers scholars to transform their lives and those around them for generations.

OMD Scholars graduate at twice the state average with the skills and experiences necessary to launch upwardly mobile professional careers. OMD partners with 11 Chicago-area community colleges, including the seven City Colleges of Chicago, College of Lake County, Harper College, Prairie State College, and South Suburban College. In the 2015 – 2016 academic year, OMD serves 441 scholars across the region and will expand to serve 700 scholars in the 2016-2017 year.

To learn more about One Million Degrees, please visit www.onemilliondegrees.org.