BE THE FIRST IN MY FAMILY
TO GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE * LEAN ON MY MENTOR SPEAK UP TAKE A SEAT AND SETTLE LET MY PERSONALITY SHINE THROUGH IN EACH COLLEGE ESSAY TRY HARD TO MAKE IT
PARENTS SPEAK
ENGLISH ADVANCEDSATPLACEMENT
CHALLENGES
3.87 GPA ACCEPTED TO BROWN
THANKFUL
We transform the lives of high-achieving low-income high school students.
THANKFUL SPEAK LITTLE CHALLENGES ALWA COMFORT ZONE
BROWN UNIVERSITY PLACEMENT ACTACT S
ENGLISH ADVANCEDSATPLACEMENT
PARENTS SPEAK EMBRACE CHALLENGES
3.87 GPA ACCEPTED TO BROWN
THANKFUL
THANKFUL SPEAK LITTLE CHALLENGES ALWA COMFORT ZONE BROWN UNIVERSITY PLACEMENT ACTACT S
This Trend Must End
Since 2010, 100 percent of our students have attended top-tier colleges across the country. And they’re 25 times more likely to graduate than students consulted by our competitors.
Paying the good forward to others.
Jielu Yu is a Class of 2019 graduate of MMBay, a 2023 graduate of the University of Chicago, and currently a Social Impact Program Coordinator at Uber. Jielu returned to MMBay as a mentor in 2023, and over the past year has supported mentees Meiying, Sandie, and Yuridia on their own paths to college success. Reflecting on her experience, Jielu shares how our organization inspired her growth and choices:
“I cannot overstate how important it was for me to have the support of my mentors, Beryl and Jason, as well as to know that the full community of volunteers at MMBay care so genuinely about who we are - not only as students but also as people. At MMBay, I was embraced for being both quirky and pragmatic, which nurtured not only my academic ambitions but also my creative side. Here, I didn’t have to choose between different identities. I could just be myself. It’s hard to explain how much this matters as an immigrant, when English is not your first language, and you spend the better part of your youth trying to fit in. There are a lot of talented immigrant children in this country, and often the barrier to finding success is in feeling like you have a right to chart your own path, is in having the permission to try things, take risks, and fail sometimes - and become better for it. We need cheerleaders, and we need guides. To me, that’s what my mentors Beryl and Jason were. And it’s why we’ve stayed in touch through my college years and to this very day.”
“…the full community of volunteers at MMBay care so genuinely about who we are - not only as students but also as people.”
Shared value in giving and receiving.
MMBay student alumnus Benton L. is a Class of 2016 graduate of MMBay, a 2020 graduate of Harvard University, and currently a Software Engineer at Splunk. Benton is also now both a volunteer Mentor and Instructor at MMBay. Reflecting on his experience, Benton shares how our organization inspired his growth and choice to volunteer:
“Like other MMBay students, I come from a background where no one in my circle of family and friends could give me academic and career advice. My parents don’t speak English, and they definitely don’t know anything about the college process or how to look for internships. To my high school self, my MMBay mentors had “made it” - they finished college, are going through their career, and were there to help me. They became a personalized bulletin board of opportunities, and tailored these opportunities to what they understood about my strengths. My MMBay mentors were the first people in my life to provide this for me.
All of my life, I have been on the receiving end of others’ support. There is a shared value in giving and receiving. I am now back at MMBay - this time, as a Mentor. Being with MMBay keeps me grounded and honest about the state of students in my community. Further, this is how I can continue to give and receive through serving students who are just like me. There are only so many lives I can live, but through other people I give to and invest in, their lives and their dreams become and extension of my fulfillment.”
“Being with MMBay keeps me grounded and honest about the state of students in my community.”
The drive to make a difference.
MMSF student aluma Lana N. is a Class of 2021 graduate of MMBay, and recently matriculated at Brown University - an Ivy League university in Rhode Island. Lana is a social entrepreneur and co-founder of SupplyHopeInfo - a nonprofit organization that has supported low-income students in the San Francisco Bay Area, by driving donations for school supplies during these last 30 months of the pandemic.
Lana has this to say about how MMBay helped her reach her college dreams and also find the drive to start her own organization: “Minds Matter Bay Area and my mentors really individualized their support to me, in ways that helped me form a clearer idea of what I wanted to study and what careers would be a good fit for me. My mentors have also been such a huge part of my journey to co-founding SupplyHopeInfo - I could always go to them to bounce ideas off, and to draw from their realworld experience as professionals to help me shape my ideas. My experience at MMBay was tailored to me - and that is why it has had such an impact on my life.” Due to guidance from MMBay during the college application process, more than 100% of Lana’s college costs at Brown University are covered by scholarships.
“Minds Matter Bay Area helped me form a clearer idea of what I wanted to study in college.”
Turning hope into reality.
MMBay student alumnus Florante M. is a Class of 2021 graduate of MMBay, and recently matriculated at U.C. Berkeley—a top public university in California. Florante is majoring in Data Science and is on a pre-medicine track in his studies at U.C. Berkeley. Florante cites his personal experience with health issues as a catalyst for his interest in medicine, and in particular his desire to help other low-income families access affordable, high-quality medical treatment in this country.
Florante had this to say about how MMBay helped him reach his college dreams and bolstered his motivation to pursue his career interests: “As a low-income student from a single parent home, I had hopes for myself and for my family, but I didn’t always believe they could come true. Minds Matter Bay Area and my mentors helped me find the confidence to investigate my interests. I spent my summers at MMBay investigating the lack of access to healthcare in marginalized populations who have a higher risk of chronic diseases. As I continue in my studies at U.C. Berkeley, I hope to discover preventative measures for chronic illnesses, and to use my knowledge to better care for myself and advocate for quality treatment for my community.” Due to guidance from MMBay during the college application process, more than 72% of Florante’s college costs at U.C. Berkeley are covered by scholarships.
"Minds Matter Bay Area and my mentors helped me find the confidence to investigate my interests."
Shift the economic
Ten years after graduating from a top-tier college, low-income students—whose parents’ income levels were below the twenty-fifth percentile— report a personal income level above the sixtieth percentile.
economic curve.
Leading means being where I’m needed.
Rohini V., a Consumer Insights Manager at SmartNews, joined MMBay in 2018 as a volunteer mentor. Since then, she has mentored a student, remained in touch with her while in college, and held roles such as Mentee Recruiter, Junior and Senior Mentoring Class Leads, and Co-Chief Program Officer. Reflecting on her experience, Rohini shares how our organization inspired her growth and choice to lead:
“Like so many volunteers at MMBay, I found this org when I was very early in my career, and looking to expand my own community.
Coming from an immigrant family, I’ve always felt an affinity with other immigrant families who work so hard to build a life such that their children and grandchildren can thrive in this country. And so, when I think about expanding my community, I’m more interested in building relationships that can bring value to someone else’s journey. MMBay is a place where I can really make a difference, and from that foundation, I’ve built some of the most meaningful friendships in my life.
I joined the executive Steering team as CoChief Program Officer because it’s where this org needed me to be at this time, and to me that’s what service means: being where you’re needed, at the time that you’re needed. I hope that by being in this role, I can be a part of sustaining and growing MMBay’s valuable services to students in San Francisco, because what we offer as a program and community is so necessary for the kids in this city.”
“MMBay is a place where I can really make a difference, and from that foundation, I’ve built some of the most meaningful friendships in my life.”
Modeling good habits of volunteerism.
MMBay volunteer leader Greta X. is a Sales Engineer at Fivetran, and joined MMBay in 2021 as a volunteer Pod Leader. Since then: Greta has followed a class of students through two years of their high school journey, and took on roles at MMBay as a Junior Class Mentoring Lead and most recently as Co-Chief Program Officer (an executive volunteer role in our org). Reflecting on her experience, Greta shares how our organization inspired her growth and choice to lead:
“I’ve benefited so much from the mentors in my life, that the concept of MMBay’s model - and deep commitment to every student - spoke to me right away. That’s why I started as a volunteer Pod Leader a few years ago, to lead a class of mentors and students, and be a part of guiding their mutual growth and growing friendships. What I find fascinating about MMBay, is the way this community shapes and refines your definition of service. Today, I probably have a more precise view of what good mentorship looks like, and of what meaningful service requires.
I joined the executive Steering team as Co-Chief Program Officer because in my own journey as a volunteer, I’ve come to appreciate the volunteer leaders who came before me and modeled good habits of thinking and doing. I hope, in my own small way, that I can do the same for the next generation of volunteers and volunteer leaders at MMBay.”
“What I find fascinating about MMBay, is the way this community shapes and refines your definition of service.”
Building meaningful relationships.
MMBay volunteer leader Erin Nielsen is a Content Designer at Atlassian, and joined MMBay in 2019 as a volunteer Mentor. Since then: Erin has mentored a student through her high school journey, keeps in touch with her while she is at college, and herself has taken on roles at MMBay as a Junior Class Mentoring Lead and most recently as Co-Chief Community Officer (an executive volunteer role in our org). Reflecting on her experience, Erin shares how our organization inspired her growth and choice to lead:
“I think my experience is similar to that of many volunteers who come to MMBay: while we enjoy and feel intellectually stimulated by our jobs, we often also feel that there is a disconnect between our work and what it means to actually be a part of the communities we live so close to. MMBay is that opportunity for me to truly be with specific communities in the Bay Area, and to spend time with students and other volunteers who I might otherwise not get to build meaningful relationships with.
I joined the executive Steering team as Co-Chief Community Officer because when I was mentor and class lead, I was so inspired by the passion and dedication of the leaders in this org, and particularly by those who were leading in a volunteer capacity. It is so motivating to know that most people are giving their time freely to our shared cause, at the highest levels of leadership and commitment. I wanted to be someone who could inspire others in the way that others have inspired me.”
”MMBay is that opportunity for me to truly be with specific communities in the Bay Area, and to spend time with students and other volunteers who I might otherwise not get to build meaningful relationships with.“
Keeping this a place of belonging.
MMBay volunteer leader Kathy K. is a Founding Product Manager for SumIt Software, and joined MMBay in 2017 as a volunteer Mentor. Since then: Kathy has supported a mentee through two years of their high school journey, and took on roles at MMBay as a Pod Leader, Mentoring Lead, and most recently as Co-Chief Community Officer (an executive volunteer role in our org). Reflecting on her experience, Kathy shares how our organization inspired her growth and choice to lead:
“My first role at MMBay was as a mentor, and I found it so inspiring to watch my mentee Belinda grow in those years. As a volunteer, I’ve also seen firsthand how kind and connected this community can be, and that has kept me committed not only to our mission, but also to ensuring that this remains a warm-hearted environment where all of our students and volunteers can continue to feel belonging. I joined San Francisco’s executive Steering team as Co-Chief Community Officer because in my own journey as a volunteer, I saw how the leadership in this organization carried our community through the most difficult moments - through and beyond a pandemic, through ups-and-downs in the employment and cultural landscape of San Francisco, we’ve remained strong because of MMBay’s enduring leadership. And I knew I wanted to contribute to the continuation of that leadership.”
“As a volunteer, I’ve also seen firsthand how kind and connected this community can be, and that has kept me committed not only to our mission, but also to ensuring that this remains a warmhearted environment where all of our students and volunteers can continue to feel belonging.”
We Break This Barrier
Our 300 volunteers commit more than 40,000 hours each year to help students prepare for admission to the nation’s most competitive colleges.
Innovating in a safe environment.
Rohini V., a Consumer Insights Manager at SmartNews, joined MMBay in 2018 as a volunteer mentor. Since then, she has mentored a student, remained in touch with her while in college, and held roles such as Mentee Recruiter, Junior and Senior Mentoring Class Leads, and Co-Chief Program Officer. Reflecting on her experience, Rohini shares how our organization inspired her growth and choice to lead:
“Like so many volunteers at MMBay, I found this org when I was very early in my career, and looking to expand my own community.
Coming from an immigrant family, I’ve always felt an affinity with other immigrant families who work so hard to build a life such that their children and grandchildren can thrive in this country. And so, when I think about expanding my community, I’m more interested in building relationships that can bring value to someone else’s journey. MMBay is a place where I can really make a difference, and from that foundation, I’ve built some of the most meaningful friendships in my life.
I joined the executive Steering team as CoChief Program Officer because it’s where this org needed me to be at this time, and to me that’s what service means: being where you’re needed, at the time that you’re needed. I hope that by being in this role, I can be a part of sustaining and growing MMBay’s valuable services to students in San Francisco, because what we offer as a program and community is so necessary for the kids in this city.”
“I find it really special that MMBay is able to be such a large organization, while also remaining nimble in order to meet the needs of students.”
Having a chance to give and to learn.
MMBay volunteer leader Annie L. is a Program Manager of Product Integrity at Meta, and joined MMBay in 2023 as a founding Co-Chief Program Officer of the San Jose site. Annie is Volunteer #2 of our San Jose site, and a critical leader in drawing in more volunteers to join the leadership team as well as the broader volunteer coalition. Reflecting on her experience, Annie shares why she was inspired to lead at MMBay:
“Volunteerism has been an important part of my life for many years, and I’ve had a range of volunteer experiences supporting both health- and education-based nonprofits in the Bay Area. Now that I’m mid-career and have had the chance to build resources of my own, I realize that what I want to do with my resources is to give back as much as possible. That’s what fulfills me.
I joined San Jose’s founding Steering team as Co-Chief Program Officer because, in addition to being an opportunity to give back, it was also an intellectually stimulating role through which I knew I would learn a lot. There’s so much in the work of organizational leadership, that I don’t always get to learn or try in my full-time job.
MMBay was the perfect combination of being both a way to serve, and a place where I could be challenged to grow.”
“MMBay was the perfect combination of being both a way to serve, and a place where I could be challenged to grow.”
Combining professional and personal.
MMBay volunteer leader Mary W. is a National Events Coordinator at NoRedInk, and joined MMBay in 2023 as a founding Co-Chief Community Officer of the San Jose site. Mary is Volunteer #3 of our San Jose site, and a critical leader in drawing in more volunteers to join the leadership team as well as the broader volunteer coalition. Reflecting on her experience, Mary shares why she was inspired to lead at MMBay:
“Growing up, I was one of those students who would’ve benefitted from an organization like MMBay. I am personally driven to help lowincome students find people who will believe in them and invest in them. And MMBay is so committed to that mission, that I knew this was a movement I wanted to be a part of.
I joined San Jose’s founding Steering team as Co-Chief Community Officer because it was a great opportunity to bring my professional strengths and my personal passions together in one place. I’ve built professional skills in talent recruitment and event coordination, both of which are incredibly relevant to the work of Volunteer and Mentee Recruitment here at MMBay. And of course, I feel so personally connected to the students that MMBay is made to serve, and wanted to bring that mission to my own community in San Jose.”
“I am personally driven to help low-income students find people who will believe in them and invest in them. And MMBay is so committed to that mission, that I knew this was a movement I wanted to be a part of.”
Building an org with the right team.
MMBay volunteer leader Jaclyn P. is a Technical Recruiter at Uber, and joined MMBay in 2023 as a founding Co-Chief Community Officer of the San Jose site. Jaclyn is Volunteer #4 of our San Jose site, and a critical leader in drawing in more volunteers to join the leadership team as well as the broader volunteer coalition. Reflecting on her experience, Jaclyn shares why she was inspired to lead at MMBay:
“I’ve always been passionate about service, and I’m the kind of person who needs to be on the ground doing the work; I guess you can say I’m an activist in my own way. I was really inspired by MMBay’s community - I just think it’s incredible that so many professionals like myself are putting this much time every week into such a meaningful cause. I knew I wanted to be a part of that.
I joined San Jose’s founding Steering team as CoChief Community Officer because I was excited by the energy that Matthew, Annie, and Mary brought to the table, and knew we would be a strong team together. Building something as big as a new site takes many things, but above all it takes having the right team. And I believed from the start that we had the right people around the table who would be in it to win it together.”
“I was really inspired by MMBay’s community - I just think it’s incredible that so many professionals like myself are putting this much time every week into such a meaningful cause.”
Create opportunity for generations.
A gift to Minds Matter Bay Area has the power to change the life trajectories of our students.
opportunity generations.
Here are some ways you can support MMBay’s mission.
Impact Advocate. Your $65,000+ sponsorship will fund activities that bring students exposure to a diverse range of competitive career pathways and financial literacy training.
The contribution level includes:
One mailed copy of MMBay’s Annual Report
Mention of your sponsorship (large logo included) at every 2024-25
MMBay fundraiser
Highlight you on our website until June 30, 2025
Five mentions of your sponsorship on our social media platforms
Growth Investor. Your $100,000+ sponsorshipwill fund these foundational investments, and put our organization on a pathway to launching expansion by Fall 2024.
The contribution level includes:
One mailed copy of MMBay’s Annual Report
A press release announcing your significant contribution and how it contributes to our vision for expansion
Mention of your sponsorship (large logo included) at every 2024-25 MMBay fundraiser
Highlight you on our website until June 30, 2025
Six mentions of your sponsorship on our social media platforms
Invitation to Class of 2025
Senior Graduation
Invitation to Class of 2025
Senior Graduation
Org Champion. Your $40,000+ sponsorship will fund human capital investments made to bolster volunteer training, continuously improve our mentee curriculum and resources, and increase our recruitment reach in Bay Area communities in which students are in need of our services.
The contribution level includes:
One mailed copy of MMBay’s Annual Report
Mention of your sponsorship (large logo included) at every 2024-25
MMBay fundraiser
Highlight you on our website until June 30, 2025
Four mentions of your sponsorship on our social media platforms
Invitation to Class of 2025
Senior Graduation
Community Builder. Your $20,000+ sponsorship will fully fund two Minds Matter Bay Area mentees through their three-year journey in our high school program and for additional career exposure and networking support in their ongoing journey as MMBay alumni.
The contribution level includes:
One mailed copy of MMBay’s Annual Report
Mention of your sponsorship (medium logo included) at every 2024-25
MMBay fundraiser
Highlight you on our website until June 30, 2025
Three mentions of your sponsorship on our social media platforms
Invitation to Class of 2025
Senior Graduation
Mentee Sponsor. Your $10,000+ sponsorship will fully fund one Minds Matter Bay Area mentee through their three-year journey in our high school program and for additional career exposure and networking support in their ongoing journey as MMBay alumni.
The contribution level includes:
Mention of your sponsorship (small logo included) at every 2024-25
MMBay fundraiser
Highlight you on our website until June 30, 2025
Two mentions of your sponsorship on our social media platforms
Friend of MMBay. Your $5,000+ sponsorship will contribute to funding testing fees for our junior and senior mentees, as well as to college application fees for our senior mentees.
The contribution level includes:
Mention of your sponsorship (name only) at every 2024-25
MMBay fundraiser
Highlight you on our website until June 30, 2025
One mention of your sponsorship on our social media platforms
Personalized Gift. Your contribution is substantial regardless of the dollar amount. Here are additional ways to make an impact on the lives of our students.
$10,000 pays for one student’s entire journey with MMBay, from high school thru alumni-hood
$3,000 funds one student to attend an on-campus summer program that offers academic enrichment and career exploration
$1,000 pays for lifelong access to MMBay’s network of career exposure opportunities, resources, and connections to internships for one alumnus
$250 pays for one year of study supplies and materials for one student
$100 covers the cost of one student’s SAT or ACT registration fee
$50 covers the cost of one student’s lunch for 5 weekly Saturday sessions
Together we will invest in the minds of our students.