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    3. Achieving the Dream
    Achieving the Dream logo

    Achieving the Dream

    ActiveEducation
    SILVER SPRING, MDWebsite2404500075

    About Achieving the Dream

    We believe in a world where every community college is a catalyst for more equitable, economically vibrant communities. Alongside hard working leaders, we’re transforming colleges — from how they lead to how they teach — to put students at the center, so that all students can access life-changing learning that propels them into community-changing careers.

    Focus Areas

    Data EmpowermentDual EnrollmentEquityHolistic Student SupportsLeadershipOrganizational Redesign / PathwaysTeaching & LearningWorkforce pathwaysCommunity vibrancy

    Funding Style

    project implementation fundingrestricted/project-specific supportscale-up/expansion funding

    About Achieving the Dream

    Achieving the Dream Inc. centers its grantmaking on community colleges that are working toward more equitable student outcomes and stronger community impact. Its funded work is tightly connected to institutional change: leadership, teaching and learning, data empowerment, holistic student supports, and pathways redesign all appear across its active programs. The foundation uses cohort-based initiatives, network membership, and implementation grants to support colleges and systems already doing the work of change. Recent grants show a clear preference for project-specific support at the college level. Northern Virginia Community College received $136,500 for implementation grants in 2023, while Pierce College received $135,000 for the same grant type that year. Other grants went to institutions such as Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Cuyahoga Community College District, Lorain County Community College, Austin Community College District, and the Research Foundation of the City University of New York. The pattern points to a funder that works through named institutions, often supporting the operational side of student-success reform. The foundation also connects grantmaking to participation in the ATD Network, where colleges can access exclusive programs, tools, and eligibility for innovation grants and awards. That structure suggests a mix of direct project funding and broader network-based support for colleges focused on equity and completion.

    What Achieving the Dream Funds

    A major theme is implementation support for community colleges. Achieving the Dream Inc. awarded $120,000 to Austin Community College District in 2023 for implementation grants, and the same grant type appears across many colleges in the recent grants list. Equity-focused work is another visible thread. Northern Essex Community College received $90,000 in 2024 for implementation grants, and the foundation’s active programs include the Racial Equity Leadership Academy, which selects ten ATD Network colleges for a nine-month coaching and peer-exchange process. Data use and student support also recur in the program design. The Digital Holistic Student Supports initiative is a two-and-a-half-year cohort for selected colleges focused on data maturity and whole-college digital transformation. The Alliance for Community College Learner Success similarly supports a small cohort of colleges or systems with data-informed strategies, tailored supports, and peer learning.

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $363K

    Total Assets

    $46.3M

    Total Revenue

    $22.7M

    Total Expenses

    $20.8M

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $15K and $90K, with a median of $33K.

    25th Percentile

    $15K

    Median

    $33K

    75th Percentile

    $90K

    Geographic Reach

    National22 states funded

    About 2% of grants go to recipients in MA.

    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

    Leadership

    KAREN A STOUT

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    EIN (Tax ID): 27-1635830Latest Form 990: 2025Total assets: $46.3M3 filings on recordFind their full 990 filing →
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    Topics

    program implementationpilot-to-scale supportservice delivery operationsimplementation capacity building

    How Achieving the Dream Gives

    The typical grant size is $15,000 at the 25th percentile, $32,500 at the median, and $90,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards include repeated implementation grants to the same institutions across 2023 and 2024, which suggests recurring support rather than one-off funding. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals. Its grantmaking is largely restricted and project-specific, often tied to cohort participation, implementation work, or network membership.

    Where Achieving the Dream Makes Grants

    Grantmaking is national and all recent grants in the dataset went to U.S. recipients. The top state by grant count is Massachusetts, though the foundation’s headquarters are in Silver Spring, Maryland. Recent grants reached colleges in Fairfax, Lakewood, Green Bay, Cleveland, Elyria, Austin, Philadelphia, New York, and Havertown, showing a broad spread across regions. Maryland recipients account for 2% of grants in the data.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Achieving the Dream

    What kinds of organizations does Achieving the Dream Inc support?

    It supports community colleges, college districts, and related higher-education entities. Recent grants went to institutions such as Northern Virginia Community College, Pierce College, and the Research Foundation of the City University of New York, and its active programs are built around community college network membership and cohort-based initiatives.

    What is the usual grant size?

    The typical grant size is $15,000 at the 25th percentile, $32,500 at the median, and $90,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also include larger implementation grants, such as $136,500 to Northern Virginia Community College and $135,000 to Pierce College.

    Does Achieving the Dream Inc fund only one-time projects or recurring work?

    The recent grants list shows recurring support. Several institutions received implementation grants in both 2023 and 2024, including Austin Community College District, Northern Essex Community College, Pierce College, and Northern Virginia Community College.

    How do colleges join or participate in its network?

    The ATD Network has cohort applications and institutional membership entry points. The network provides access to exclusive programs and tools, and membership makes colleges eligible for network-only innovation grants, initiatives, and awards. Some programs, such as the Racial Equity Leadership Academy and Digital Holistic Student Supports, are limited to selected network colleges.

    Where does the foundation give most often?

    Its grantmaking is national, with all recent grants in the dataset going to U.S. recipients. The top state by grant count is Massachusetts, and the data also shows repeated awards to colleges in Texas, Washington, Virginia, Wisconsin, Ohio, and New York.

    Accepts unsolicited proposals
    Latest 990 Filing

    2025

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.

    Open Grant Opportunities

    Current and upcoming funding from Achieving the Dream that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.

    Open now

    Join the ATD Network (Network Membership & Network-Only Innovation Grants)

    Whole College TransformationEquityData empowerment+4 more

    Who can apply: College or system-level institutions (community colleges). Membership is intended for institutional leaders; eligibility for network-only grants and initiatives is limited to Network members.

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    Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.

    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICTAUSTIN, TX$120,0002025IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    DALLAS COLLEGE EASTFIELD CAMPUSMESQUITE, TX$30,0002025IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    FORSYTH TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGEWINSTON SALEM, NC$25,0002025IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    EVERETT COMMUNITY COLLEGEEVERETT, WA$25,0002025IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    CHATTANOOGA STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATIONCHATTANOOGA, TN$25,0002025AWARD
    NORTH CENTRAL STATE COLLEGEMANSFIELD, OH$25,0002025IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    GRAYSON COLLEGEDENISON, TX$25,0002025IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    SOUTHWESTERN OREGON COMMUNITY COLLEGECOOS BAY, OR$25,0002025AWARD
    TALLAHASSEE STATE COLLEGETALLAHASSEE, FL$25,0002025IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    EL PASO COMMUNITY COLLEGEELPASO, TX$15,0002025IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    ALAMO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICTSAN ANTONIO, TX$15,0002025IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    THE ASPEN INSTITUTEWASHINGTON, DC$7,5002025IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF PHILADELPHIA FOUNDATIONPHILADELPHIA, PA$90,0002024IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    NORTHERN ESSEX COMMUNITY COLLEGEHAVERHILL, MA$90,0002024IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    PIERCE COLLEGELAKEWOOD, WA$90,0002024IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    BAY COLLEGEESCANABA, MI$90,0002024IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORKNEW YORK, NY$90,0002024IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICTAUSTIN, TX$90,0002024IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    NORTHERN VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGEFAIRFAX, VA$90,0002024IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    NORTHEAST WISCONSIN TECHNICAL COLLEGEGREEN BAY, WI$90,0002024IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICTCLEVELAND, OH$90,0002024IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    LORAIN COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGEELYRIA, OH$90,0002024IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    FORT PECK COMMUNITY COLLEGEPOPLAR, MT$80,0002024IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    SALISH KOOTENAI COLLEGE INCPABLO, MT$40,0002024IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    LAC COURTE OREILLES OJIBWE UNIVERSITYHAYWARD, WI$40,0002024IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    COLLEGE OF MENOMINEE NATIONKESHENA, WI$40,0002024IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    RED LAKE NATION COLLEGERED LAKE, MN$40,0002024IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    AANIIIH NAKODA COLLEGEHARLEM, MT$40,0002024IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    FOND DU LAC TRIBAL & COMMUNITY COLLEGECLOQUET, MN$25,0002024IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    ALAMO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICTSAN ANTONIO, TX$15,0002024IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    EL PASO COMMUNITY COLLEGEEL PASO, TX$15,0002024AWARD
    COLUMBIA-GREENE COMMUNITY COLLEGEHUDSON, NY$7,5002024IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    CLOVIS COMMUNITY COLLEGECLOVIS, NM$7,5002024IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGESENATOBIA, MS$7,5002024IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    SOUTHEAST KENTUCKY COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGEVERSAILLES, KY$7,5002024IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    HALIFAX COMMUNITY COLLEGEWELDON, NC$7,5002024IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    BERKSHIRE COMMUNITY COLLEGEPITTSFIELD, MA$7,5002024IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    NORTHERN VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGEFAIRFAX, VA$136,5002023IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    PIERCE COLLEGELAKEWOOD, WA$135,0002023IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    NORTHEAST WISCONSIN TECHNICAL COLLEGEGREEN BAY, WI$121,5002023IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICTCLEVELAND, OH$121,5002023IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF PHILADELPHIA FOUNDATIONPHILADELPHIA, PA$120,0002023IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICTAUSTIN, TX$120,0002023IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    NORTHERN ESSEX COMMUNITY COLLEGEHAVERHILL, MA$120,0002023IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    LORAIN COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGEELYRIA, OH$120,0002023IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    BAY COLLEGEESCANABA, MI$120,0002023IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORKNEW YORK, NY$120,0002023IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    TEACHERS COLLEGE COLUMBIA UNIVERSITYNEW YORK, NY$68,5542023IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    TENNESSEE BOARD OF REGENTSNASHVILLE, TN$59,6002023IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
    COLLEGE OF MENOMINEE NATIONKESHENA, WI$45,0002023IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT

    $120,000
    AUSTIN, TX2025

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    DALLAS COLLEGE EASTFIELD CAMPUS

    $30,000
    MESQUITE, TX2025

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    FORSYTH TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE

    $25,000
    WINSTON SALEM, NC2025

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    EVERETT COMMUNITY COLLEGE

    $25,000
    EVERETT, WA2025

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    CHATTANOOGA STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION

    $25,000
    CHATTANOOGA, TN2025

    AWARD

    NORTH CENTRAL STATE COLLEGE

    $25,000
    MANSFIELD, OH2025

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    GRAYSON COLLEGE

    $25,000
    DENISON, TX2025

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    SOUTHWESTERN OREGON COMMUNITY COLLEGE

    $25,000
    COOS BAY, OR2025

    AWARD

    TALLAHASSEE STATE COLLEGE

    $25,000
    TALLAHASSEE, FL2025

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    EL PASO COMMUNITY COLLEGE

    $15,000
    ELPASO, TX2025

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    ALAMO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT

    $15,000
    SAN ANTONIO, TX2025

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    THE ASPEN INSTITUTE

    $7,500
    WASHINGTON, DC2025

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF PHILADELPHIA FOUNDATION

    $90,000
    PHILADELPHIA, PA2024

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    NORTHERN ESSEX COMMUNITY COLLEGE

    $90,000
    HAVERHILL, MA2024

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    PIERCE COLLEGE

    $90,000
    LAKEWOOD, WA2024

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    BAY COLLEGE

    $90,000
    ESCANABA, MI2024

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK

    $90,000
    NEW YORK, NY2024

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT

    $90,000
    AUSTIN, TX2024

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    NORTHERN VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

    $90,000
    FAIRFAX, VA2024

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    NORTHEAST WISCONSIN TECHNICAL COLLEGE

    $90,000
    GREEN BAY, WI2024

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT

    $90,000
    CLEVELAND, OH2024

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    LORAIN COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

    $90,000
    ELYRIA, OH2024

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    FORT PECK COMMUNITY COLLEGE

    $80,000
    POPLAR, MT2024

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    SALISH KOOTENAI COLLEGE INC

    $40,000
    PABLO, MT2024

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    LAC COURTE OREILLES OJIBWE UNIVERSITY

    $40,000
    HAYWARD, WI2024

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    COLLEGE OF MENOMINEE NATION

    $40,000
    KESHENA, WI2024

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    RED LAKE NATION COLLEGE

    $40,000
    RED LAKE, MN2024

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    AANIIIH NAKODA COLLEGE

    $40,000
    HARLEM, MT2024

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    FOND DU LAC TRIBAL & COMMUNITY COLLEGE

    $25,000
    CLOQUET, MN2024

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    ALAMO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT

    $15,000
    SAN ANTONIO, TX2024

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    EL PASO COMMUNITY COLLEGE

    $15,000
    EL PASO, TX2024

    AWARD

    COLUMBIA-GREENE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

    $7,500
    HUDSON, NY2024

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    CLOVIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

    $7,500
    CLOVIS, NM2024

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE

    $7,500
    SENATOBIA, MS2024

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    SOUTHEAST KENTUCKY COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE

    $7,500
    VERSAILLES, KY2024

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    HALIFAX COMMUNITY COLLEGE

    $7,500
    WELDON, NC2024

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    BERKSHIRE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

    $7,500
    PITTSFIELD, MA2024

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    NORTHERN VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

    $136,500
    FAIRFAX, VA2023

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    PIERCE COLLEGE

    $135,000
    LAKEWOOD, WA2023

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    NORTHEAST WISCONSIN TECHNICAL COLLEGE

    $121,500
    GREEN BAY, WI2023

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT

    $121,500
    CLEVELAND, OH2023

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF PHILADELPHIA FOUNDATION

    $120,000
    PHILADELPHIA, PA2023

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT

    $120,000
    AUSTIN, TX2023

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    NORTHERN ESSEX COMMUNITY COLLEGE

    $120,000
    HAVERHILL, MA2023

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    LORAIN COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

    $120,000
    ELYRIA, OH2023

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    BAY COLLEGE

    $120,000
    ESCANABA, MI2023

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK

    $120,000
    NEW YORK, NY2023

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    TEACHERS COLLEGE COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

    $68,554
    NEW YORK, NY2023

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    TENNESSEE BOARD OF REGENTS

    $59,600
    NASHVILLE, TN2023

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

    COLLEGE OF MENOMINEE NATION

    $45,000
    KESHENA, WI2023

    IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS