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- EIN 52-2079470
- 202-414-4840
- 800 K St NW Ste 1100 South Washington DC 20001 USA
- www.hoopdreams.org
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Adult & Child Matching Programs, Children & Youth, Education, Scholarships, Scholarships & Student Financial Aid, Youth Development - Business
Mission: The Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund (HDSF) was founded in 1996 by Susie Kay, an American Government teacher at H.D. Woodson High School, the only 100% African American public high school in Washington, DC. Early in her career, it became clear to Susie that even the brightest, most hardworking students she taught had little hope for achieving a college education or professional success in the face of economic and racial barriers that separate their world east of the Anacostia from professional and political communities in the metropolitan area. With help from volunteers from Washington’s professional community, Susie brought together friends, colleagues, community and corporate leaders and high school students for a charity basketball tournament in 1996 raising $3,000 for inner-city student scholarships. Since that first event, this effort has evolved into the Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund, a not-for-profit organization with year-round mentoring and student support programming. Today Hoop Dreams creates new opportunities for at-risk inner-city youth on multiple levels. The program provides specific, targeted support to help students advance academically by establishing and working towards their educational and life goals. Equally important, the program breaks down systemic barriers (geography, economy, race) that contribute to cycles of poverty. Many Hoop Dreams beneficiaries are the first in their families to attend college and lack even the most basic information about college protocol, administrative procedures, and campus life. We have learned through experience that handing these students a scholarship check is only one step in their journey; therefore, the Hoop Dreams provides not only funding, but a network of supportive services from students senior year of high school to beyond college acceptance. By addressing the problem of disenfranchised youth on multiple levels, Hoop Dreams is improving the outlook for inner-city youth in the short and long term.
Geographic areas served: Washington, DC
Programs: Through the work of hundreds of deeply committed volunteers, a small staff, and our many academic and professional partner institutions, Hoop Dreams serves students at five of Washington, DC's resource-challenged public schools: H.D. Woodson High School, the Academy of Business and Finance (located at Woodson), Benjamin Banneker, Washington Math, Science & Technology Public Charter School, and Ballou High Schools. Hoop Dreams benefits approximately 200 students annually, all of whom participate in our intensive college prep program as high school seniors. The Hoop Dreams network of activities and supports not only facilitates college access, but empowers students to success in their academic, professional, and civic endeavors. Program components include: Mentoring: To date, the mentoring program has served nearly 600 high school seniors in an intensive eight-month program that pairs inner-city students with professionals from the corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors. Monthly workshops feature inspirational speakers and targeted activities focused on the college selection and application process. Between sessions, mentors and students meet one-on-one, forming lasting friendships that have a long-term impact on the student and mentor alike. This year, students from the mentoring program had a 100% college acceptance rate compared to an average of 33% for DC public schools. Academic Scholarships: Since 1996, Hoop Dreams has awarded over 1400 scholarships and renewals, exceeding $3 million total. Awards range from $1,000 to $10,000 depending on the students' academic ability, personal essay, standardized test scores, demonstrated financial need, and successful participation in Hoop Dreams college prep programs. Internships: Nearly 300 Hoop Dreams students have been placed in paid internships since 1998 with corporate and institutional employers offering structured and viable employment opportunities in conjunction with the objectives of the Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund. Students gain exposure to a professional setting, explore potential careers, and learn valuable work skills that they can apply in the future. SAT preparedness: The Princeton Review generously provides its prestigious SAT prep course to Hoop Dreams students free of charge, a value of $1,000 per student. To date, over 500 students have participated, increasing their scores by as much as 200 points. Community building events. In addition to the annual 3-on-3 tournament, the Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund holds annual community gatherings including semi-formal galas attended by students, sponsors, community leaders, parents, friends and teachers as well as an annual Congressional Reception in the U.S. Capitol hosted by senior Rhode Island Senator, Jack Reed and a bipartisan group of Congressmen. Community service/Service-learning. Each year, Hoop Dreams collaborates with other nonprofit organizations for service learning day projects. Past partners have included the Earth Conservation Corps, Mentors Inc., and DC Central Kitchen. Through these partnerships, on National Youth Service Day, up to 20 students and their mentors join other community members in activities such as cleaning up a section of the Anacostia Riverbank. Ongoing support. Members of the staff and volunteers assist current scholarship recipients in dealing with the transition from high school to college. Members of the Hoop Dreams staff act as a resource for students heading off to college and as advocates for students and parents in many aspects of college admissions, academic support, housing, and financial aid. Hoop Dreams believes very strongly that continued contact with and logistical support for students after high school graduation is crucial for college success.
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