The Coach Foundation announced partnerships with The Opportunity Network, Bottom Line and Year Up as part of its Dream It Real initiative. Through the initiative’s mission to help break cycles of inequality, Coach hopes to empower the next generation to reach their full potential through higher education, the company said. To celebrate the new partnerships, the Coach Foundation made a donation of $1 million in support of the nonprofits and their work.
The Opportunity Network, Bottom Line and Year Up each work to drive equity across higher education for under-represented students and students from low income communities, with a vision of expanding education and opportunity for all. Each offers resources, coaching and community to young people at critical junctures — the transitions from secondary education to higher education to career — when under-resourced students are seen to encounter barriers to pursuing their dreams.
“I’m proud to continue our commitment to Dream It Real with The Opportunity Network, Bottom Line and Year Up, three partners who share our vision and values,” said Interim CEO and Brand President of Coach Todd Kahn. “It is our goal to fight inequality by empowering under-represented students through education, and to help provide the resources, skills and mentoring they need to make their dreams a reality.”
Based in New York, The Opportunity Network ignites the drive, curiosity, and agency of under-represented students across the country to and through college and into thriving careers through its Career Fluency model and programs. Bottom Line, serving students in Boston, New York, Chicago and Worcester, helps low-income and first generation students to get to college and stay in college through one-on-one mentoring and guidance and secure a mobilizing job with six months of graduation. Year Up works to close the opportunity divide by ensuring young adults gain the skills, experiences and support that will empower them to reach their potential through careers and higher education.
