Funding Area: Education
Founded in 1995, Bridge the Gap College Prep (BTGCP) has grown from a small volunteer literacy program to a robust, multi-program organization serving approximately 250 Marin City youth annually, including summer programming. A decade ago, BTGCP expanded our mission significantly, moving from focusing solely on literacy support for elementary school children to providing comprehensive educational, social, and emotional support with the goal that every Marin City child completes high school and graduates from college. We are located in Marin County, where college graduation for low-income students is 27%, compared to 62% for higher-income students (Nat’l Student Clearinghouse 2012-19). BTGCP addresses skill & opportunity gaps facing our students due to decades of embedded educational & economic inequity.
Our involvement: The Marty Tomberg Charitable Fund has financially supported this organization.
Projects We Support
Bridge the Gap College Prep serves as a familiar and helpful source of support for our college students, helping them gain confidence and the skills they need not only to persist, but to thrive throughout their experience and reach their ultimate goal of graduation. Our College Success Manager will work full-time exclusively with BTGCP’s 12th graders & college students to provide technical expertise & cultural competency to support 36 college students this year & 55 students next year. The program includes a college orientation event that brings together 1st years with BTGCP college students & graduates to provide campus resources and support around common transition challenges and navigating financial assistance. At least five individualized check-ins between each student and the College Success Manager occur annually to assess student needs, provide guidance & referrals, problem solving and verifying student aid. Our College Success Manager also facilitates a BTGCP student affinity group, helping to build a sense of college belonging, sharing challenges & support, and providing needed peers from the same background who value a college education.
Support Dates: March, 2021 – March, 2022
