Minds Matter DC

Minds Matter DC Minds Matter is a 3 year program that connects driven high school students to prepare for college.

Minds Matter DC is an all volunteer (nonprofit) organization that provides intensive mentoring and academic programs for students from low-income areas through weekly math, reading and writing sessions, SAT preparation, summer workshops, and college advisement. Volunteers
Volunteers are college graduates that come from diverse professional backgrounds. They donate their time to help shape the liv

es of ambitious and hard-working high school students through weekly sessions of instruction and mentorship. Students
High school students must maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher, commit to pursuing a college education, demonstrate strong academic motivation, be active in extracurricular activities (or a part-time job), and show that he/she would benefit from a summer academic experience. Success Rate
100% of students have been accepted into four year colleges. History
In 1991, six Wall Street professionals established Minds Matter in New York City to mentor driven and determined low-income students who had the potential and ambition to pursue a college education, but who lacked the resources necessary to achieve those dreams. Since then, Minds Matter has grown into a national organization with fourteen chapters across the United States. These chapters include: Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, Portland, San Francisco, the Twin Cities, Seattle, and Washington, DC.

At Minds Matter DC, we believe young people deserve to be at the center of conversations that impact their futures.The C...
03/03/2026

At Minds Matter DC, we believe young people deserve to be at the center of conversations that impact their futures.

The Coalition to Empower our Future recently launched two new ads, Carson and Experts, highlighting the importance of comprehensive, collaborative approaches to youth mental health.

One ad features student leader Carson Domey, emphasizing why youth voices must help shape the solutions designed to support them. The second explores how trusted adults, communities, and experts can work together to strengthen youth wellbeing.

Additionally, a new RealClear Health op-ed by CEF Board Member Dr. Caroline Carney outlines why narrow solutions often fall short when addressing today’s complex mental health challenges.

We encourage our community to explore and share:
🔗 Watch Carson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4fOxNBorEo
🔗 Watch Experts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYv691LtCv8
🔗 Read the op-ed: https://www.realclearhealth.com/articles/2026/02/25/youth_mental_health_is_a_complex_challenge_1167060.html

Supporting young people means listening to them, partnering with them, and building systems that reflect their realities.

Our 2025–2026 program year is officially underway! 🎉Welcome Day brought together our 10th and 11th grade mentees, along ...
10/16/2025

Our 2025–2026 program year is officially underway! 🎉

Welcome Day brought together our 10th and 11th grade mentees, along with new mentors, for a day of connection, teamwork, and inspiration. Students engaged in icebreakers and interactive activities that set the tone for a powerful year ahead.

We’re grateful for our dedicated volunteers and mentors who continue to make the Minds Matter DC experience transformative for every student. Here’s to another year of growth, learning, and impact! 💙

At Minds Matter DC, we help students turn that discovery into direction, with mentorship, academic support, and college ...
10/09/2025

At Minds Matter DC, we help students turn that discovery into direction, with mentorship, academic support, and college readiness programs designed to make higher education possible for every student, no matter their background. 🎓

📚 Read our latest blog, Navigating College Applications: Advice for Students and Families, for practical tips and encouragement for this journey.

And if you’re a DC high school sophomore ready to start preparing for college, applications are now open for our 2026–2027 cohort!

Link in bio to learn more.

Every success story begins with support. This is the impact of mentorship. This is the impact of YOU. Join us in creatin...
09/29/2025

Every success story begins with support. This is the impact of mentorship. This is the impact of YOU. Join us in creating more opportunities for DC students to achieve their dreams. Support MMDC today!

https://mindsmatterdc.org/donate

Sophia joined Minds Matter DC as a junior, and quickly realized what she’d been missing.From building academic confidenc...
09/22/2025

Sophia joined Minds Matter DC as a junior, and quickly realized what she’d been missing.

From building academic confidence and test prep skills to connecting with mentors, peers, and even enjoying Friday breakfast chats, Sophia’s story is a testament to what’s possible when students are surrounded by support.

Her growth? Measurable.
Her impact? Undeniable.

Let this be a reminder that the right environment can spark transformation, and that it’s never too late to start.

Sophia joined Minds Matter DC as a junior, and quickly realized what she’d been missing.From building academic confidenc...
09/17/2025

Sophia joined Minds Matter DC as a junior, and quickly realized what she’d been missing.

From building academic confidence and test prep skills to connecting with mentors, peers, and even enjoying Friday breakfast chats, Sophia’s story is a testament to what’s possible when students are surrounded by support.

Her growth? Measurable.
Her impact? Undeniable.

Let this be a reminder that the right environment can spark transformation, and that it’s never too late to start.

Let’s talk impact: measurable, meaningful, and made possible by donors like you:📊 38 hours of SAT prep delivered across ...
09/15/2025

Let’s talk impact: measurable, meaningful, and made possible by donors like you:

📊 38 hours of SAT prep delivered across math, reading, and critical thinking
🎓 100% of our Class of 2025 seniors were accepted into six different colleges
🙌 58 volunteers served as mentors, instructors, and program directors

This is what investing in potential looks like.
And now, with the 2025–2026 school year beginning, your support is more powerful than ever.

Donate to Minds Matter DC today.
mindsmatterdc.org/donate


This past weekend, our mentees had the opportunity to explore the beautiful Foggy Bottom campus of The George Washingto...
09/09/2025

This past weekend, our mentees had the opportunity to explore the beautiful Foggy Bottom campus of The George Washington University! From learning about the admissions process to speaking directly with current GW students and reps, this visit offered a firsthand look at what life as a GW student could be like.

At Minds Matter DC, we believe that exposure leads to empowerment, and college tours like this are a powerful part of our mission to support students on their path to higher education.

Every student has potential. But without support, that potential can go untapped.Mentorship changes the story. It builds...
09/09/2025

Every student has potential. But without support, that potential can go untapped.

Mentorship changes the story. It builds confidence, opens doors, and creates relationships that last a lifetime. At Minds Matter DC, mentorship is at the heart of every student success story, from first-generation college acceptances to full-ride scholarships.

This Giving Season, we’re celebrating the power of mentorship and the impact it has on our students’ futures.

Read the full blog → www.mindsmatterdc.org/news-insights

We are thrilled to welcome our newest cohorts of talented students!- Class of 2026 – entering their senior year and prep...
09/08/2025

We are thrilled to welcome our newest cohorts of talented students!

- Class of 2026 – entering their senior year and preparing for college applications.
- Class of 2027 – stepping into their second year of mentorship and growth.
- Class of 2028 – beginning their Minds Matter journey with big dreams ahead.

To our new and returning students: we’re proud to walk beside you as you pursue your goals, overcome challenges, and unlock your full potential.

Here’s to another year of mentorship, resilience, and success.

Want to make a difference this year? Become a mentor, partner, or supporter and help our students reach new heights: www.mindsmatterdc.org

We are deeply grateful to PhRMA for their unwavering support of Minds Matter DC and our students.The PhRMA Scholarship, ...
06/19/2025

We are deeply grateful to PhRMA for their unwavering support of Minds Matter DC and our students.

The PhRMA Scholarship, established in partnership with Minds Matter DC, is a transformative initiative that helps high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds in Washington, D.C. bridge the financial gap to attend college. Each year, PhRMA awards a minimum of two $4,000 scholarships to students who demonstrate academic excellence, financial need, and a commitment to making a difference in their communities.

This generous support directly addresses the critical 15% of tuition costs that are often not covered by grants, school aid, or loans. Removing a significant barrier for our students and empowering them to pursue their college dreams with confidence.

PhRMA’s commitment goes beyond financial aid; it’s a pledge to increase access and opportunity for underrepresented students, fostering greater diversity in higher education and the workforce. Their partnership is vital in helping us mentor, prepare, and champion the next generation of leaders.

Thank you, PhRMA, for believing in our mission and investing in the futures of exceptional students. Your leadership in educational equity is making a lasting impact.

Help us continue this important work, donate today and support more students on their journey to college: https://mindsmatterdc.org/donate

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Washington D.C., DC
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