Youth Igniting Change for 29+ Years
PeerForward is a nonprofit that has served low-income schools across the nation for nearly three decades.
PeerForward does not view under-resourced young people as problems to be solved. We see them as problem solvers! By empowering students (Peer Leaders) to help themselves and their fellow students persist to and through higher education, PeerForward dramatically improves postsecondary success at our partner schools and institutions. Our program taps into the influence young people have on each other as a powerful asset in creating pathways to economic mobility and success.
HIGH SCHOOLS: IMPROVING POSTSECONDARY PLANNING AND ENROLLMENT
PeerForward trains and supports teams of Peer Leaders in partner schools to run schoolwide campaigns – consisting of events, and one-to-one support – to get their peers enrolled in higher education.
COLLEGES: HELPING STUDENTS PERSIST TO A DEGREE
PeerForward trains college Peer Leaders for paid positions advising and coaching caseloads of students at risk of stopping/dropping, improving college retention to a degree or credential. PeerForward brings peer-to-peer intervention into larger student retention strategies.
THE HEART OF A GREAT EDUCATOR.
We see potential, and tap power, in every person we engage.
THE MIND OF AN INNOVATOR.
We envision, we structure, we measure, we improve – constantly focused on getting results with our students and our partners.
THE SPIRIT OF AN INSPIRED STUDENT.
We do this with passion, humor, confidence, and joy.
Ashoka, Manhattan Institute, and the Skoll Foundation:
Honored our founders with awards for social enterprise.
President Barack Obama:
One of ten organizations selected by President Barack Obama for a portion of his Nobel Peace Prize award
U.S. Chamber of Commerce:
Recognized along with Deloitte as the nation’s top corporate-nonprofit partnership.
Great Value Colleges:
Recognized as a top 30 organization for boosting African-American Educational Achievement
Los Angeles Business Journal:
Winner of the Los Angeles Business Journal’s Nonprofit of the Year award.
Lumina Foundation and Big Think:
Winner of the Judge’s Choice award for Innovation in Postsecondary Education.
MacKenzie Scott, Yield Giving:
Selected to receive the gift of a grant from philanthropist, MacKenzie Scott.
National Association for College Admission Counseling:
Received their highest award for improving college access.
National College Attainment Network (NCAN):
Awarded NCAN 2024 Member of the Year.
Social Innovation Fund:
Two-time awardee for demonstration of innovation and proven impact.
World Economic Forum:
Awarded the U.S. Social Entrepreneur of the Year at the World Economic Forum
HIGH SCHOOLS: IMPROVING POSTSECONDARY PLANNING AND ENROLLMENT
PeerForward trains and supports teams of Peer Leaders in partner schools to run schoolwide campaigns – consisting of events, and one-to-one support – to get their peers enrolled in higher education.
COLLEGES: HELPING STUDENTS PERSIST TO A DEGREE
PeerForward trains college Peer Leaders for paid positions advising and coaching caseloads of students at risk of stopping/dropping, improving college retention to a degree or credential. PeerForward brings peer-to-peer intervention into larger student retention strategies.
THE HEART OF A GREAT EDUCATOR.
We see potential, and tap power, in every person we engage.
THE MIND OF AN INNOVATOR.
We envision, we structure, we measure, we improve – constantly focused on getting results with our students and our partners.
THE SPIRIT OF AN INSPIRED STUDENT.
We do this with passion, humor, confidence, and joy.
Ashoka, Manhattan Institute, and the Skoll Foundation:
Honored our founders with awards for social enterprise.
President Barack Obama:
One of ten organizations selected by President Barack Obama for a portion of his Nobel Peace Prize award
U.S. Chamber of Commerce:
Recognized along with Deloitte as the nation’s top corporate-nonprofit partnership.
Great Value Colleges:
Recognized as a top 30 organization for boosting African-American Educational Achievement
Los Angeles Business Journal:
Winner of the Los Angeles Business Journal’s Nonprofit of the Year award.
Lumina Foundation and Big Think:
Winner of the Judge’s Choice award for Innovation in Postsecondary Education.
MacKenzie Scott, Yield Giving:
Selected to receive the gift of a grant from philanthropist, MacKenzie Scott.
National Association for College Admission Counseling:
Received their highest award for improving college access.
National College Attainment Network (NCAN):
Awarded NCAN 2024 Member of the Year.
Social Innovation Fund:
Two-time awardee for demonstration of innovation and proven impact.
World Economic Forum:
Awarded the U.S. Social Entrepreneur of the Year at the World Economic Forum
Started in a basement,
now we’re here!
Started in a basement,
now we’re here!
PeerForward began as College Summit in 1996 as a single workshop with four students in the basement of a community center in Washington, D.C. Today, we train 750+ Peer Leaders a year in 11 states and Bermuda, who in turn assist thousands more each year.
Our Story
After leading an essay writing workshop for students so they could apply to colleges, our founders noticed they reached out to their friends to offer similar support and guidance. Founders J.B. Schramm, Derek Canty, and Dr. Keith Frome began working on peer-mentoring workshops, and ultimately school-based programs, to teach students to lead others along the path to higher education success. The model has evolved and expanded to include both high schools and colleges. But the power of peers remains the north star for all of PeerForward’s work.
SINCE 1996, WE HAVE:
- Guided more than 600,000 students in low-income communities on the path to college and career success.
- Received a portion of President Barack Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize.
- Advocated for state and federal policy change to remove barriers that inhibit students in low-income communities from advancing to higher education.
- Earned special recognition from the World Economic Forum, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association for College Admission Counseling, the Skoll Foundation and the Manhattan Institute.
LET’S GET EVEN BETTER ACQUAINTED:
“Our youth are powerful people who deserve all of the great benefits life has to offer, regardless of their zip code.”
Get Involved
Donate
Help us bring more resources to students in need.
Volunteer
Join our movement and make a direct impact on the lives of our youth.
Become a PeerForward School
Collaborate with us to foster a culture of postsecondary success at your high school or college.
Partner With Us
Connect with us to see how our mission aligns with yours.