Minds Matter Bay Area (MMBay)

Too little cohesion in terms of what is expected of mentors and mentees (besides attendance.) CEO said mentors were there to spruce up their resumes while at the same time doing lip service for core values that were too diluted & thus hardly valuable as a guiding precept for community. They have such an inspiring underlying idea for making world better and yet the community building aspect of uniting around said goal is greatly lacking over too much internal politic struggles over higher up org people's egos

Minds Matter Bay Area has positively improved so many lives in such empowering ways. They inspired student mentees so much that some even go on to become professional mentors later in life. I'm proud to be a part of this organization and what it stands for. I've been helping out their volunteer training and development group for the past year.

This is my second year with Minds Matter Bay Area (MMBay) and it has been one of the most humbling and rewarding experiences for me personally. The impact of the work we do on the lives of these low-income students and families is life changing. This is not just a community that shows up, it's a family of passionate, dedicated and hard-working volunteers. I'm grateful to be part of this team who really believe by coming together we can change the world for these students for the better.

I just got started mentoring with Minds Matter, and I am already so impressed with my mentees, co-mentors, and the organization in general. Nowhere else I'd rather spend every Saturday!

I've been living in the Bay Area for ~4 years now, and as it starts to feel more like my long-term home, I decided that I would like to become more involved in volunteering and giving back here in my community. I joined Minds Matter Bay Area earlier this year, and I have been absolutely blown away by this organization, and the team leading it. Their commitment to empowering low-income students on their path to college is inspiring. MMBay's holistic approach, providing mentorship, academic support, and life skills, ensures students are well-prepared for success. I could not recommend MMBay enough!

I jumped into Minds Matter looking for an impactful hands-on volunteering opportunity here in San Francisco. What I was delighted to find was a dedicated group of volunteers and a leadership team that is vocal and receptive to the students that they empower and us volunteers.

As a first generation student from a low-income background, I'm privileged to assist students who share a similar background get into their dream college. Furthermore, there's a lot of room for volunteers to grow in this organization and our leadership encourages us to take on more responsibilities and in return provide a bigger impact to our students.

Overall, I'm really excited about volunteering at Minds Matter Bay Area and as a returning volunteer (this is my 2nd year volunteering). I hope to give back to the SF community for many more years within this organization.

I have been volunteering with Minds Matter Bay Area for 4 years (and counting!) now. I am perpetually impressed by the dedication shown by my fellow volunteers and the mentees who show up every Saturday. I've also had the fortune of watching my former mentees grow up over the years and be part of their development into incredible young adults. Minds Matter is an organization that has a tangible impact on the community and I'm really grateful to be part of it.

I've been lucky enough to be part of the MMBay community for 5 years now, in a variety of roles - the work we do is so rewarding and deeply impactful for our students and their families, and I'm honored to play a small part in their lives.

It’s my second year with MMSF, and I believe MMSF to be one of the best-run nonprofits I've had the privilege of being a part of! Every team, from mentorship and programming, to operations and fundraising, is it's own machine, made up of extremely passionate and hard-working individuals and volunteers. I've had the honor of being a part of the college app and financial aid team that helps juniors and seniors prepare for entry into higher education, and the direct impact that we see on students' lives every year is incredibly rewarding. I’m always looking forward to Saturday in-person sessions, and I hope to help out in future years as well!

I've loved volunteering with this organization! Everyone is a joy and the kids are amazing. Very well run and organized.

It’s my second year with MMBay (formerly Minds Matter San Francisco), and I still cannot believe how much an operation that is this bare-bones when it comes to official staff is actually able to tangibly provide for the students in our community. Passion and dedication are buzzwords for a lot of organizations, but they are the lifeblood of MMBay, which truly is powered by the love of its volunteers for the work we do. I’m honored to get to work with an organization whose emotional and developmental impact goes beyond what’s already in any written annual report, and I’m looking forward to helping keep it going for several years to come!

It is my first year volunteering with Minds Matter Bay Area and it has been a wonderful experience. The mentees we work with are incredible, and I look forward to spending time with them each Saturday. The organization is made up of kind, collaborative people I have really enjoyed getting to know.

MMSF (now MMBay) is an incredibly well-run organization making a true impact for our local student community, with a 100% college enrollment rate. I am honored to serve alongside some of the biggest and brightest minds in education!

I have had exceptional and most fulfilling experiences at Minds Matter of San Francisco for 6+ years

I've been a part of MMSF (now MMBay) for over five years and it's truly been such an amazing experience. I've been able to help dozens of students through test prep tutoring and many of whom are now college students attending universities across California and the US. This has been one of the best and most rewarding nonprofits I've ever been a part of.

I've been volunteering with Minds Matter Bay for 2 years and counting. The goal of the organization is admirable, but what's more important is that Minds Matter Bay is truly effective at elevating high school students academically and personally, and provides a well structured program that not only gives them the opportunity to reach greater heights as they graduate high school, but also guides them along the path and motivates them to develop themselves. Being an insider at MMB, I'm mildly surprised at how the organization is free from internal politics and self serving attitudes, previously having had the preconception that volunteer organizations are not truly altruistic under the hood.

MMSF (now MMBay) has an amazing impact on by providing resources (tutoring, mentorship, funding) to low income students that enables them to dramatically improve their pursuit of higher education and change the trajectory of their lives.

MMSF is dedicated to empowering high school students to achieve their goals/dreams. It's been inspiring to not only work directly with the volunteers who make the organization possible, but most importantly, the students who are eager and invested in their future/growth.

Minds Matter is the best run non profit I've ever volunteered with. They are not only passionate about the mission to help low income students achieve college success, but they are incredibly thorough and data driven in their approach to supporting these students.

Minds Matter is amazing non profit - the mission is valuable and the work the entire team does produces tangible real results. I have been on the associate board for three years and am impressed by the hard work of the team and the CEO. Definitely a high quality organization that truly believes and delivers on its mission.

I volunteered as a mentor for three years and then was fortunate enough to join the associate board three years ago. I found the volunteer work to be extremely rewarding, as it allowed you to focus your time and energy on the mentorship and development of your mentee over a consistent period of three years. As trite as it sounds, I felt that I learned tremendously from my mentee as well. I was able to see the tangible benefits of the organization’s work and now hope to continue broadening its impact and scale as an associate board member.

A well-run organization that really helps students in the area.

I've been a volunteer with MMSF for 5+ years as a mentor, and also took on a leadership position for 6 months. I am especially impressed with how organized and well-run MMSF is - it's definitely the most well-run volunteer organization I've ever been with, and I've been volunteering with various non-profits for almost 20 years. Everyone I've met at MMSF is passionate about the cause to help low-income high school students go to college and achieve a bright future. Everyone is great to work with, and they focus on not just developing students but also the volunteers. It's always inspiring to be part of a community, where we form friendships and bonds outside of volunteer work.

A wonderful and well run organization. I have been an Associate Board member for 3 years and previously volunteered at the NYC chapter. Truly changing lives for young adults across the country.

Those looking to work with a non-profit that has a direct impact on students and a measurable ROI will find no better organization than MMSF. After volunteering as a mentor every week for 3 years, I can speak directly to the impact this organization has on a child's education and long term success. MMSF ensures these students reach their potential often facilitating life changing moments that impact generations within families. Now serving as a member of the Associate Board, I have seen how the organization uses every $ raised to be able to change an additional student's life.

I've been involved with MMSF for more than a year and am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve with an organization that is so well run and mission aligned. MMSF has done an excellent job connecting with the community throughout the Bay Area to help support motivate high school students from low-income and disadvantaged backgrounds. They have been able to steadily increase their support by working with larger cohort groups, but have never sacrificed quality as they bring in highly qualified mentors and equip them with the right training to help these students over the long term. Their longitudinal approach, from 10th to 12th grade, has led to demonstrable differences in student outcomes with a phenomenal college placement rate. A further testament to this great work is that many of the mentees in the program have come back to be mentors themselves and continue to pay it forward.

MMSF is incredible, working on a very important mission. A top, renowned organization which transforms the lives of top low-income high school students and professionals.

Minds Matter San Francisco is an amazing organization! The team here works tirelessly to minimize the achievement gap by providing highly motivated students with college prep materials, scholarships, and 1-on-1 mentorship from SF professionals, all with the goal of catapulting them into the world of higher education.

As someone with experience working at a variety of education non-profits, I can say that the resources received by the students here are truly unmatched. The results speak for themselves -- not only do mentees receive substantial scholarships from the nation's top colleges, they also form tight-knit professional networks that inform the full-time roles they secure after college graduation some 4 years later. This means mentees enter the workforce with support from mentors they've known for 7+ years.

For all its glitz and glamour, San Francisco remains a community with significant need. With the leadership team + volunteers of MMSF, I'm confident that gap will continue to close in the years to come.

Minds Matter San Francisco is a wonderful organization that works to minimize the achievement gap by providing highly motivated students with the resources, scholarships, opportunities, and guidance required to spur the growth of under-represented communities within the world of higher education. As a result, their mentees receive substantial scholarships from the nation's top colleges, form a tight-knit network, and develop the necessary skills to succeed in school and beyond.

The mission provides a tangible and much-needed benefit to the local community, and the leadership team and volunteers are all highly committed to seeing this mission through. I've had a great time being involved with this organization and am continually astounded by the impact they make.

It has been 2 years since I've been involved with MMSF and I could not be more impressed by the organization. From the internal operations to the values that drive the org, MMSF is consistent and organized in the way they execute their vision. The volunteers are aligned with the value proposition and this is seen in their dedication to the cause. Couldn't be more proud to be a part of MMSF!

I have been a mentor and a volunteer for Minds Matter San Francisco year for over 5 years. The impact Minds Matter makes is far beyond getting low income high achieving students into college. The robust program at Minds Matter prepares students for college life and beyond. By providing opportunities to get into some of the best top colleges in the country with scholarships, Minds Matter offers the students and their families a way get out of income limitations with an impact that could potentially last generations.

I love volunteering with Minds Matter San Francisco. Not only does all my time and effort translate into real tangible results for students, the group of like-minded volunteers really forms a community that has helped me transition to a new city and stay connected throughout the pandemic.

I have been volunteering with this organization for more than three years. I have been able to make an impact on a number of students through test prep tutoring, and have now seen two classes go on to attend college. Additionally, I have been able to grow both my communication and leadership skills by taking on impactful leadership roles across the org. I have also had the opportunity to make great friends and connections in the area.

GREAT mission, GREAT team! the CLOZTALK team is honored to call this org a partner & promote its good work!

CLOZTALK team
>> Jonny Imerman, co-founder

I have been a volunteer at MMSF for 3 years and I cannot speak highly enough about the impact of this organization on the local SF community. The mentees in our program are matched with mentors who follow them throughout their high school journey and help them prepare for college success – both social-emotionally and academically. The leadership in this organization has a clear and productive vision for a future that engages even more local students and volunteers. I am proud to serve in this organization alongside friends who care deeply about addressing the issue of under-matching in our community.

Amazing organization that brings great outcomes to young adults applying to college. Great database of resources to help as well.

I joined MMSF about two years ago, and my experience with MMSF has been nothing short of rewarding. As a volunteer on the development team, I’m thrilled to be working in the advocacy space to help bring about educational equity in the Bay Area. MMSF is a highly inclusive community of genuine, considerate, and impact-driven individuals who show up each Saturday, year after year. I’m incredibly proud of the role MMSF is playing in increasing resources for highly-motivated and low-income students to help them achieve their college dreams.

MMSF is a fantastic organization whose mission is to close the achievement gap for low-income, highly motivated high school students. Their structured program provides instruction and mentorship on a weekly basis.

I have been volunteering with MMSF for 6 years, so clearly I love this organization, our mission and the impact we are having in our community. All the volunteers are extremely passionate to bridge the achievement gap and care about our students deeply. It is also a great place to make life long friends with fellow volunteers who are equally passionate about the mission.

I have been volunteering with Minds Matter SF for a little over 6 months now, and I am nothing short of astounded when it comes to their mission, organizational prowess, and impact on lower-income high school students. Although I had no prior experience working with high school students before, MMSF welcomed me and my skill set with open arms and I received the privilege to observe how a truly great non-profit operates.

MMSF's mission – to transform the lives of high-accomplishing high school students from low-income families by broadening their dreams and preparing them for college success – is simple at face-value, but backed by years of in-depth research and results. 100% of all mentees are accepted into 4-year colleges, and 77% of them attend a top college (according to the 3 most competitive tiers on Barron's Profiles of American Colleges). Compare 77% to the 3% national benchmark of low-income, qualifying students attending selective colleges, and you can see MMSF's effectiveness for yourself. Additionally, the class of 2020 mentees received more than $650k in scholarships, meeting 73% of their financial need. Being a mentee means that attending a top college is more than a distant possibility, but it can be an attainable dream with the proper support system and smart planning ahead.

MMSF also inspires great loyalty and enthusiasm amongst their volunteers. Many volunteers start off as mentors or instructors, working hands-on with their mentees throughout their high school journey. However, they are encouraged to expand beyond that role and explore wherever they feel they can contribute the most impact, which provides ample opportunity to work on projects that 1) help you develop personally and professionally and 2) create long-lasting results.

Overall, I have been very impressed with my time at MMSF and plan to continue contributing over the next few years.

I’ve been volunteering with MMSF since 2013. The mission and vision are inspiring. That, combined with the dedication of the entire volunteer community makes it one of the most impactful non-profits I’ve been involved with.

I have been a volunteer since the latter half of 2015. The organization does an excellent job preparing low-income, high-achieving students for their collegiate careers. Students are supported in all aspects of their lives once accepted into the program; from navigating advanced high school courses to personal struggle(s) they may encounter due to their socio-economic circumstances. Greater than 90%+ of students are accepted into accredited four-year colleges, which speaks for itself.

Anecdotally, I, along with a co-mentor, helped our mentee through his high school year(s) and helped him get accepted to one of his preferred colleges. Though a majority of the work was done by our mentee, our impact on his life was measurable, creating a rewarding experience for all involved.

In addition to having a good base program, the organization is currently under new leadership, which has given the non-profit a clear, defined direction. I look forward to being involved with MMSF for years to come.

I've been a volunteer with MMSF for 5 years. The mission to mentor low-income high school students and close the achievement gap is one that really resonates with me, especially in a city like San Francisco.

Being a junior instructor has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my time in SF. Not only our the mentees that we work with incredible, but the volunteers that choose to join MMSF are some of the most caring people I know. Each volunteer I've interacted with has gone above and beyond to help either their students when they've struggled with a problem (whether it's related to MMSF or not).

In addition to the volunteers, the leadership team goes above and beyond to make sure that MMSF does continue to make an impact in our city (no easy feat in the COVID era). The leaders are always accessible, and they continue to iterate on the MMSF program to make sure that we're responding to feedback we get.

In short, I'm very glad I chose to volunteer with MMSF.

I have had an incredible 2.5 years volunteering for Minds Matter, and love the non-profit's mission and the impact we make on the lives of mentees.

I am motivated seeing the mentee's growth (personally and academically) from when they enter the organization to when they graduate and head off to college. Mentors, volunteers, and leadership are invested in each mentee's growth and career, and spend hours developing curriculum, partnerships, and social events to make a fulfilling experience for mentees. Ultimately, all of the work we do is worth it when you hear a mentee happily describe how they were given opportunities they could not even have imagined and how MMSF has put them on an even better long-term trajectory. Something I've said and heard from other volunteers as well is how fortunate we are to work with amazing mentees and be a part of their journey. In many cases, the mentees are teaching the mentors and volunteers, whether it's the latest high school fad or about their own personal take on life events.

This organization is unique and being a part of it is something I cherish in my personal life.

Been a volunteer with MMSF for 7 years. Their mission to mentor low-income high school students is super impactful in a city like San Francisco. The volunteers I get to work with are kind, empathetic, and driven and have now become some of my closest friends in the city. The leadership at MMSF has provided clear guidance and directions towards the impact that the org is making. There's no other org that I would volunteer for!

Inspiring leadership. Energetic volunteer community. It’s rare to find such a non profit that provide the students so much dedicated support — from dedicated mentors, math and verbal instructors, to strong programming, full summer program sponsorships and college application guide. The impact it makes on the low-income students is incredible.

As a volunteer, I am very proud to be part of MMSF and contribute to such a meaningful mission.