Our Approach

Our Mission:

Increase opportunity and economic mobility for single-parent families through higher education.

Introducing Raise The Barr.

Our Why:

While more than 20% of college students in the U.S. are parents, nearly 70% of them are single mothers. In California and Minnesota, student parents face especially steep challenges. In California, home to the largest population of student parents in the nation, 86% of single parent students report experiencing housing insecurity. In Minnesota, persistent childcare gaps and rising living costs make it difficult for single-parent students to complete their degrees. However, most colleges and surrounding communities still lack the coordinated resources needed to support single-parent students and their children. Without the right support, too many of these families remain stuck in cycles of poverty.

How We Do It:

At Raise The Barr, our work is guided by four key beliefs. Click the arrows below to learn how we tie these beliefs into our programming.

  • By partnering with community colleges throughout California and Minnesota, we complement existing infrastructure for low-income families and students to ensure that single-parent families have access to the specific support they need.

  • Through a variety of programming, we support single-parent families in the short, medium, and long term.

    Short term:

    Single parents can apply for emergency grants, emergency housing assistance, and little scholars enrichmentsupport to address immediate financial needs. 

    Medium term:

    Single parents who participate in our cohort cycle or affordable housing programreceive one-on-one coaching, as well as stipends for housing and basic needs, to keep them on track as they pursue degrees and other personal goals. Families also participate in regular workshops and events to build community and expand their professional networks. 

    Long term: 

    By supporting single parents in the pursuit of postsecondary degrees, we help change the trajectory of their lives—and those of their children—so they remain financially independent long after their participation in RTB programming. 

  • Not only does our work help lift single parents out of poverty, but it leads to more opportunity for their children. 

  • When single parents earn degrees, they rely less on public assistance, secure jobs that earn higher incomes, and contribute more in taxes. Thus, by investing in single-parent families, we strengthen entire communities.

Review our full 2025 Annual Report.

Your investment strengthens families, creates economic mobility, and changes the trajectory of entire communities. Please consider making a gift today.

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