“We are very intentional about growing a community of good people who are committed to creating a just and equitable world. Our work is about building relationships with the community in doing this work.”—Kim Mazzuca, president and CEO
Kim Mazzuca, president and CEO of San Rafael-based nonprofit, 10,000 Degrees, says she will relish the day when the number of college graduates from marginalized communities has increased enough to minimize the glaring need for what her organization provides to the community. In a post-pandemic world, the support nonprofits such as 10,000 Degrees provide appears to be needed more than ever. “The pandemic has disproportionately affected our students. Many students had to move from the dorms back home, many became caregivers and needed to help their younger siblings,” says Mazzuca.
The mission of 10,000 Degrees is to achieve educational equity and to support students from low-income backgrounds to-and-through college to realize their full potential and positively impact their communities and the world. The organization serves students attending 44 area high schools, 40 community colleges and more than 166 four-year colleges and universities in the North Bay and across the nation.
Founded in 1981, the nonprofit, then known as the Marin Education Fund, began as a scholarship-only organization. In 2000, it made a transformative shift to supporting students and families that needed it most. Then, in 2010, it committed to help 10,000 students from low-income backgrounds get to—and through—college in every community it served, and this goal was the inspiration behind changing its name to 10,000 Degrees. Since then, the nonprofit has helped more than 25,000 students and their families gain access to higher education. The organization serves about 12,000 students and their families, including more than 2,500 college students, annually.
“There is no more important work than for young people to be able to pursue their education,” Mazzuca says. “We ensure that the students have the support and resources needed to pursue and achieve their educational goals.”
10,000 Degrees provides scholarships paired with comprehensive support by near-peer Fellows, who help students leverage on average $16,000 in free financial aid, as well as assist students with navigating professional and personal life. Mazzuca says the organization is attempting to grow its fellowship program from the 40 Fellows currently on staff, many of whom are alumni of 10,000 Degrees. The Fellowship program wasn’t established until 2012, and since that time 10,000 Degrees has trained 93 Fellows, who work in salaried positions with full benefits.
“We are very intentional about growing a community of good people who are committed to creating a just and equitable world,” Mazzuca says. “Our work is about building relationships with the community in doing this work.”
According to Mazzuca, students who come from marginalized backgrounds don’t typically have access to professional networks as other graduates. The fellowship program aids the students in cultivating a network of professionals to help them on their career paths.
“We’re seeing many of our corporate partners hire more of our alumni and alumni from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds,” Mazzuca says. “We’re also seeing our students and alumni become leaders, join boards and run for elected offices.”
Mazzuca says she hopes to see more people join the organization’s efforts to create a bigger impact in the underserved communities of the North Bay. She says people can plug into the organization in various ways as donors, corporate partners, or volunteers.
“The most rewarding aspect of this work is connecting people and seeing people from different backgrounds learn from one another,” she says. “And observing how there is so much compassion and love to share when we can connect with people.”
[Photo courtesy of 10,000 Degrees]
