Minds Matter Twin Cities

Students from low-income households across the Twin Cities face a host of barriers to entering college, from out-of-control tuition costs, to limited access to rigorous academic resources, and a lack of college guidance. In the United States less than half of all low-income students enroll in higher education, and only 3% of low-income students attend the most competitive colleges. With a gap this big, the region is missing out on the talent, leadership, and innovation of students from low-income backgrounds. 

A holistic, multi-year program that leverages the power of volunteers, Minds Matter Twin Cities creates deep and lasting change. From mentoring and math, to writing and career exploration, college advising and soft skills development, Minds Matter provides a suite of services that ensures that 100% of our students are accepted into four-year colleges every year. Our program centers on:

• People. Students are carefully matched with two mentors in their Sophomore year and stay with their dedicated mentors for three years. From Sophomore year to graduation, mentors help students identify and deepen their academic interests, explore college options, and develop a network of supportive adults.
• Possibilities. Through tuition assistance from Minds Matter, students attend rigorous pre-college summer programs at colleges and universities across the country. From criminal justice courses at Syracuse University to pre-med coursework at Harvard, these programs offer crucial introductory experiences to college-going and career exploration.
• Preparation. Our ACT instructors, Math Matters prep, and Writing and Critical Thinking coaches bring high-touch, wraparound support on test-taking strategies and college essay development. Students also have dedicated volunteer College Advisors who help identify strong-fit schools and build their college wish lists together. 

Our goal is for each student to attend a college or university that is a strong academic, cultural, and financial fit. And for more than 10 years, Minds Matter Twin Cities has achieved remarkable results:

• 100% of our students are accepted to multiple four-year colleges and universities. In the Class of 2024, 70% of our graduates now attend a Top 100 College.
• Our average ACT score is 22 versus the national average of 19.
• Our Class of 2024 received financial aid packages averaging 71% of need met.

Our program is run nearly 100% by volunteers, which means your dollars go directly to supporting students in achieving their dreams!