Arizona Community Foundation Invests in Rural Postsecondary Success

Thanks to a generous three-year grant from the Arizona Community Foundation (ACF), Earn to Learn is expanding its efforts to increase college access and success for students in Yuma, Arizona. This targeted investment will bring near-peer college advisors into local high schools and extend our Matched-Savings Scholarship Program to students graduating from those schools.

This funding comes at a critical time. While Earn to Learn works across the state to support low-to-moderate-income students, rural communities often face additional barriers to higher education. Limited access to college planning resources, financial aid guidance, and mentorship can leave students feeling uncertain or unsupported in pursuing postsecondary opportunities. Strategic investments like this one help fill those gaps and create lasting change.

The near-peer advisors funded through ACF are recent college graduates who are trained to mentor high school students and provide one-on-one guidance as they explore their postsecondary options. They assist with college and financial aid applications, help students understand scholarship opportunities, and offer culturally responsive support that is both practical and encouraging.

We are proud to partner with ACF, a statewide philanthropic leader that has awarded more than $1 billion in grants, scholarships, and loans to Arizona communities since its founding in 1978. Their commitment to equity and educational opportunity aligns deeply with Earn to Learn’s mission. Learn more at azfoundation.org.

With ACF’s support, we are one step closer to ensuring that students in Yuma and in rural areas across Arizona can access the tools, resources, and confidence they need to succeed after high school.