The Kresge Foundation Education Grants

Name: The Kresge Foundation Education Grants

Award Amount: Varies (institutional support for students)

Information And Eligibility:
The Kresge Foundation Education Grants are designed to strengthen the capacity of colleges, universities, and community-based organizations to improve access to higher education and increase degree completion for low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students. Through targeted institutional funding, these grants aim to support large-scale, systemic advancements that promote equity, student success, and long-term educational opportunity.

Kresge focuses on investing in organizations committed to transforming the student experience—from college enrollment and persistence to on-time graduation. The foundation supports institutions working to redesign outdated systems, improve financial aid delivery, integrate data-driven student support tools, expand access to advising, and strengthen pathways for returning adult learners. Kresge also prioritizes institutions that serve significant numbers of Black, Latino, Indigenous, and low-income students, including community colleges and public universities with broad access missions.

Unlike scholarships awarded directly to students, Kresge grants fund institutional initiatives that ultimately benefit thousands of learners. This may include developing emergency aid programs, improving transfer pathways between community colleges and four-year universities, enhancing student success dashboards, or creating wraparound services—such as mental health support, tutoring networks, and retention-focused advising—to remove barriers that disproportionately impact underserved students.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Applicants must be accredited colleges, universities, community college systems, or nonprofit organizations focused on postsecondary access and student success.
• Institutions must demonstrate a strong commitment to serving low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students.
• Proposed initiatives should aim to reduce equity gaps in enrollment, retention, and degree completion.
• Institutions should have clear measurable goals, a plan for evaluating impact, and the capacity to scale successful strategies.
• Collaborative proposals—such as statewide partnerships, cross-institution initiatives, or community-based coalitions—are encouraged.

Application Requirements:

• Submit a formal grant proposal through The Kresge Foundation’s application portal or via invitation.
• Provide a detailed project narrative describing the challenge addressed, target student population, and anticipated outcomes.
• Include a strategic plan outlining the institution’s approach to improving student access, persistence, and graduation rates.
• Submit a comprehensive budget showing how funds will be allocated across program activities.
• Provide institutional data demonstrating equity gaps, student demographics, and measurable need.
• Include letters of support or evidence of leadership commitment, particularly for large-scale system changes.
• Projects must incorporate evaluation frameworks to track success and long-term sustainability.

Additional Details:

• Grants vary widely in size depending on project scope, often supporting multi-year initiatives.
• Kresge emphasizes long-term, transformative work rather than short-term or isolated interventions.
• Past grants have funded data integration tools, improved advising systems, adult-learner reengagement programs, and innovative financial aid models.
• The foundation seeks proposals with potential for replication on regional or national scales.
• Applicants are encouraged to review Kresge’s strategic priorities before submitting proposals to ensure alignment.

Deadline: Rolling

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