Since 1990, Summer Search has partnered with high schools, community-based organizations, and families to provide mentoring, experiential opportunities, and college support services for students from low-income backgrounds.

We provide high school and college students with developmental opportunities and resources to strengthen their college-going identities and readiness to become first-generation college graduates and socially responsible leaders. Our integrated approach includes mentoring provided by full-time staff, transformative summer experiences, and start-to-finish college advising and support.

Our long-term investment (7-9 years) successfully supports our students in changing the nation’s college completion narrative. 96% of Summer Searchers are students of color; 91% are the first in their families to attend college; and 71% earn a bachelor’s degree within six years of graduating high school, compared to just 21% of their low-income peers nationally.

Alexis was a self-conscious 15-year-old buried in his schoolwork and chores, unaware of the opportunities around him and unsure of his own leadership potential. After joining Summer Search, Alexis went on his first summer trip: a 3-week backpacking adventure that proved to be a pivotal event in his life. Thanks in part to Summer Search and our 1:1 mentoring model, he began to feel confident and understand the positive impact of his leadership.

Alexis dreamed of becoming an engineer; but, like many of our students, he didn't have the same resources as his more affluent peers. He also would be the first in his family to navigate the college process. Despite those challenges, Alexis was determined, and turned to our College Access team to help make his dream a reality.

Now a sophomore in college, Alexis continues receiving support from Summer Search and is one step closer to his dream of being a first-generation, college-educated engineer who is a leader in his community.

Do you have any of the following skills? We'd love to chat with you about volunteering at Summer Search!

Suggested Donations

• Help provide outdoor equipment for one student’s summer wilderness experience ($25.00)
• Help provide professional 1:1 mentoring for one student ($50.00)
• Help provide first-generation college students with college and financial aid advising ($100.00)

Funding Needs

The problem of education inequity is not improving; students at the lowest socio-economic level face a widening education opportunity gap. Summer Search is committed to doing more to move the needle on the entire problem.

Our long-term investment begins in a student’s sophomore year of high school and integrates a unique combination of services including: (1) year-round professional mentorship by trained staff, (2) summer experiential learning opportunities, (3) start-to-finish college and financial aid counseling, and (4) a consistent network of support through high school, college and beyond.

With a gift to Summer Search, you are supporting our efforts to increase the number of low-income, first-generation college graduates across the nation, ultimately creating a rich pool of future diverse leaders. Our current and future students need you now more than ever!