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Latest News

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Minds Matter Students Receive Exciting News about Early Successes

[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”20″][vc_column_text]New York – NY – April 7, 2016 — Minds Matter students in chapters across the country have already received exciting news about scholarships and acceptances to competitive colleges and universities.

Minds Matter students have received acceptance into some of our nation’s Most Competitive schools, as rated by Barron’s, including seven of eight Ivy League schools. These include: Barnard, Bowdoin, Brown, Bryn Mawr, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Franklin & Marshall, Harvard, Oberlin, NYU, Northwestern, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton, University of Richmond, Smith, Stanford, USC, Swarthmore, and Williams.

Eight Minds Matter students from chapters in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City were awarded Posse scholarships. Posse is a college access and youth leadership development program that supports students with extraordinary academic and leadership potential. One student in Los Angeles and one in Cleveland were named as Questbridge Scholars. Questbridge is a platform that bridges the nation’s brightest, underserved youth and leading institutions of higher education and further opportunities. A Minds Matter New York City student is one of only ten recipients of the highly sought after New York Times Scholarship. Three Minds Matter San Francisco students have received Meritus Scholarships.

Minds Matter, a rigorous three-year program for students from low-income families, not only prepares students through writing/critical thinking skills development, ACT/SAT prep, college selection, navigating the college application and scholarship process, it builds a high expectation and supportive community for students to reach higher than they ever thought possible.

Minds Matter focuses heavily on preventing undermatching, a phenomenon in which students from low-income families do not apply to or attend selective colleges for which they are qualified to attend. According to Hoxby and Avery, 53 percent of low-income students do not apply to a single school whose median SAT or ACT scores are similar to their own. Only 8 percent of low-income students apply to colleges the way their higher-income peers do – with a reach school, a safety school, and several other schools in between.

Minds Matter prevents undermatching through extensive academic preparation coupled with support to dramatically increase confidence in students to apply to competitive colleges. To date, 100 percent of Minds Matter graduates have been accepted into four-year universities and colleges and more than 70 percent attend colleges deemed by Barron’s as Most, Highly, or Very Competitive.

About Minds Matter
Minds Matter transforms the lives of accomplished high school students from low-income families by broadening their dreams and preparing them for college success. Through a highly selective and rigorous 3-year academic mentoring program, Minds Matter students accomplish the extraordinary. Powered by 1,900 volunteers nationwide, Minds Matter Chapters are located in 13 cities across the country, with the newest chapter launching in Detroit in the fall. The national office of Minds Matter is located in Manhattan.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” bg_position=”left top” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” class=”sam-custom-box” top_padding=”50″][vc_column width=”1/1″ animation=”none” column_padding=”padding-3-percent” column_padding_position=”all” background_color=”#ffffff” background_color_opacity=”1″][vc_column_text]

Minds Matter Seattle to Graduate its First Class of Seniors

[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”20″][vc_column_text]New York, NY – April 6, 2016 – This June, Minds Matter Seattle will graduate its first class of students, many of whom have already received acceptance letters to prestigious universities. One student has been accepted to Princeton University, securing a loan-free financial aid package. Other students have been accepted to New York University, UCLA, Smith College and the University of Washington.

Minds Matter Seattle was founded in the fall of 2013 as the 11^th chapter in the Minds Matter network. Since inception, Minds Matter Seattle’s class size has grown from six students in its first year to 20 students currently. Minds Matter Seattle is powered by nearly 80 dedicated volunteers.

Minds Matter is a rigorous three-year program that transforms the lives of accomplished high school students from low-income families. Through standardized test preparation, skills development, and enriching summer programs, Minds Matter helps students gain acceptance to prestigious colleges. One hundred percent of Minds Matter students are accepted to four-year post-secondary schools, and over 70 percent attend schools identified by Barron’s as Most, Highly, or Very Competitive.

“We are so proud of our inaugural class of Minds Matter of Seattle mentees,” said Catherine Simonsen, president of the Minds Matter Seattle chapter. “They deserve all of the credit for the impressive admissions decisions they have received to date.”

“Enormous thanks go to our volunteers and all of our donors, large and small. We are particularly grateful to Perkins Coie, a partner that has generously donated the space where we have met for the last three years, and the Silver Family Foundation for their substantial financial support,” said Simonsen. “We could not help our students achieve their ambitions without these crucial resources.”

About Minds Matter
Minds Matter transforms the lives of accomplished high school students from low-income families by broadening their dreams and preparing them for college success. Through a highly selective and rigorous 3-year academic mentoring program, Minds Matter students accomplish the extraordinary. 100% of Minds Matter program graduates are accepted into a four-year college. More than 70% of them attend some of our nation’s more selective colleges. Powered by 1,900 volunteers nationwide, Minds Matter Chapters are located in 13 cities across the country. The national office of Minds Matter is located in Manhattan.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” bg_position=”left top” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” class=”sam-custom-box” top_padding=”50″][vc_column width=”1/1″ animation=”none” column_padding=”padding-3-percent” column_padding_position=”all” background_color=”#ffffff” background_color_opacity=”1″][vc_column_text]

Minds Matter Adds Thirteenth Chapter in Detroit

[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”20″][vc_column_text]New York, NY – April 4, 2016 — Minds Matter, a national non-profit organization serving accomplished high school students from low-income families, approved the addition of a 13^th chapter in Detroit, Michigan. The Detroit chapter will begin serving students in Fall 2016 and received a generous grant for seed funding from The Taubman Foundation.

The organization approved the Detroit chapter following a presentation of research by the chapter’s co-founders, two volunteers from Minds Matter Cleveland who relocated to Detroit last year.

“We are so proud of the volunteer leaders who are preparing to launch this extraordinary program in Detroit,” notes Ellen Magnis, Executive Director of Minds Matter’s national office, “What a testament to the commitment and dedication to low-income students in a city that has seen so much hardship.”

The city of Detroit has been under the governance of an Emergency Manager since 2008. Throughout January and February 2016, students and teachers in the Detroit Public School (DPS) system staged “sick outs” to protest the unsafe conditions in schools and lack of resources provided by the Emergency Manager.

Minds Matter Detroit will serve low-income students accepted into the program by supplementing this lack of resources. Beginning with a small initial class, the chapter will provide extensive mentoring, support and college counseling to help offset the 706 to 1 student to counselor ratio in Michigan, and will provide SAT preparation to help raise students’ average SAT score from the 1520 DPS average to be more in line with the 1700 national average.

“We call out to potential partners, volunteers and supporters in Detroit to join with our volunteer leaders to make this program launch a success,” Magnis continues, “We are excited to watch Minds Matter Detroit students flourish the way students in all of our other chapters have. Witnessing the transformation of students as they realize their potential is truly a joy.”

About Minds Matter
Minds Matter transforms the lives of accomplished high school students from low-income families by broadening their dreams and preparing them for college success. Through a highly selective and rigorous 3-year academic mentoring program, Minds Matter students accomplish the extraordinary. 100% of Minds Matter program graduates are accepted into a four-year college. More than 70% of them attend some of our nation’s more selective colleges. Powered by 1,900 volunteers nationwide, Minds Matter Chapters are located in 13 cities across the country. The national office of Minds Matter is located in Manhattan.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” bg_position=”left top” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” class=”sam-custom-box” top_padding=”50″][vc_column width=”1/1″ animation=”none” column_padding=”padding-3-percent” column_padding_position=”all” background_color=”#ffffff” background_color_opacity=”1″][vc_column_text]

Minds Matter Washington D.C. Sends Students to Prestigious Summer Programs

[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”20″][vc_column_text]New York, NY – March 30, 2016 – Minds Matter Washington, D.C. is sending its first class of students to summer programs this year. Several students have already gained acceptance to prestigious programs at Harvard Medical School via the National Student Leadership Conference, Cornell and Carnegie Mellon.

Minds Matter is an intensive three-year academic and mentoring program that transforms the lives of accomplished high school students from low-income families. Minds Matter students attend academic or cultural summer programs following their sophomore and/or junior years of high school. Students’ volunteer mentors guide them through the program selection and application process. Minds Matter students often receive partial scholarships to attend these programs, and Minds Matter pays for remaining costs.

Summer programs are intended to help students retain and build on academics as well as to develop strengths around non-cognitive skills. Ellen Magnis, Executive Director of the national office of Minds Matter, notes, “Many Minds Matter students are the first in their families to attend college. Across the country, about 90% of our students are students of color; 70% are female. Most of these students come from families earning less than $24,000 annually. The summer program experience is game changing for these kids. These program give students a wonderful opportunity to understand that they belong on a college campus, and to know firsthand what they are working towards in their college preparation.”

Minds Matter Washington, D.C. is serving its first class of students this year. The chapter will soon accept its next class of sophomores for Fall 2016.

“I am so proud to be part of this program that changes the trajectory of the lives of our students,” says Jonathan Schwebel, President of Minds Matter, D.C., “We are grateful to so many who have come forward in partnership with us as we get this important program started in our community, especially Hogan Lovells, our partner providing space for our sessions, and the generous individual donors/philanthropists in the DC area who have a clear investment in the success of DC students, and who have given this organization its wings to get off the ground.”

About Minds Matter
Minds Matter transforms the lives of accomplished high school students from low-income families by broadening their dreams and preparing them for college success. Through a highly selective and rigorous 3-year academic mentoring program, Minds Matter students accomplish the extraordinary. 100% of Minds Matter program graduates are accepted into a four-year college. More than 70% of them attend some of our nation’s more selective colleges. Powered by 1,900 volunteers nationwide, Minds Matter Chapters are located in 13 cities across the country. The national office of Minds Matter is located in Manhattan.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” bg_position=”left top” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” class=”sam-custom-box” top_padding=”50″][vc_column width=”1/1″ animation=”none” column_padding=”padding-3-percent” column_padding_position=”all” background_color=”#ffffff” background_color_opacity=”1″][vc_column_text]

Minds Matter Selected as 100 Women in Hedge Funds’ 2016 U.S. Beneficiary

[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”20″][vc_column_text]15th Annual Gala to be held November 9, 2016 in New York City

New York, NY – March 3, 2016 – 100 Women in Hedge Funds today announces Minds Matter National, Inc. as the beneficiary of its U.S. philanthropic activities in 2016, including the 15th Annual Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street to be held on November 9, 2016 and other fundraisers. 100 Women in Hedge Funds (“100WHF”) is a global, practitioner-driven non-profit organization serving more than 13,000 alternative investment management investors and professionals through educational, professional leverage and philanthropic initiatives. To date, 100WHF has raised $38 million (gross) for charitable causes.

Minds Matter National, Inc. has a comprehensive and highly-successful three-year program that empowers high school students from low-income families to achieve college readiness and success. Minds Matter provides tutoring, mentoring and enrichment experiences that prepare students for bright futures, and achieves a 100% college acceptance rate for its students at quality institutions across the country. Funds will be utilized to grow and support summer programs in existing Minds Matter chapters and grow the organization’s national infrastructure and expansion to reach additional students.

100 Women in Hedge Funds’ mission was established on three core pillars: Education, Peer Leverage and Philanthropy. 100WHF’s philanthropic mission is to leverage its members’ collective abilities and expertise in order to give back to the global community among three annually rotating themes: Education, Mentoring, and Women’s and Family Health. This year’s global theme is Mentoring.

“Students participating in the Minds Matter program are equipped to succeed in college and beyond thanks to the intensive training in writing, critical thinking and math that helps them prepare for and transcend the college test preparation and application process. Analysis and communication are the basis for professional achievement in any field, which is why 100 Women in Hedge Funds is delighted to support Minds Matter and the outstanding impact of its three-year program for promising high school students,” said Lauren Malafronte, 100WHF Vice Chair of the Board of Directors and Managing Director, Prime Services, Scotiabank.

“We are so humbled and grateful for the opportunity to work with 100 Women in Hedge Funds to take Minds Matter to the next level. Every day, we are deeply honored to help students change the trajectories of their lives. We look forward to providing even more students the support they need to uncover their potential, which we know will affect generations to follow in ways we can only begin to imagine,” said Ellen Magnis, Executive Director, Minds Matter.

100WHF is planning a number of fundraising events in locations across the U.S. this year. Firms and individuals interested in learning more about sponsorship opportunities, purchasing tables for the New York Gala on November 9, 2016, or making a donation, please click here or email the New York Gala committee.

About 100 Women in Hedge Funds
100 Women in Hedge Funds is a global, practitioner-driven non-profit organization serving over 13,000 alternative investment management investors and professionals in 20 locations through educational, professional leverage and philanthropic initiatives. Formed in 2001, 100 Women in Hedge Funds has hosted over 500 industry education events globally, connected more than 350 senior women through Peer Advisory Groups and raised over $38 million for philanthropic causes in the areas of women’s and family health, education and mentoring.

About Minds Matter
Minds Matter transforms the lives of accomplished high school students from low-income families by broadening their dreams and preparing them for college success. Through a highly selective and rigorous 3-year academic mentoring program, Minds Matter students accomplish the extraordinary. 100% of Minds Matter program graduates are accepted into a four-year college. More than 70% of them attend some of our nation’s more selective colleges. Powered by 1,900 volunteers nationwide, Minds Matter Chapters are located in 12 cities across the country, with a new Detroit chapter launching in the fall of 2016. The national office of Minds Matter is located in Manhattan.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” bg_position=”left top” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” class=”sam-custom-box” top_padding=”50″][vc_column width=”1/1″ animation=”none” column_padding=”padding-3-percent” column_padding_position=”all” background_color=”#ffffff” background_color_opacity=”1″][vc_column_text]

Minds Matter Interviewed for Nonprofit Voice

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Minds Matter’s Executive Director Ellen Magnis spoke with 103.9’s The Nonprofit Voice about Minds Matter and her own experiences as a first-generation college graduate. We were honored for the opportunity to highlight the important work that Minds Matter is doing to serve accomplished students from low-income families.

Click to listen to Part 1 and Part 2 of the interview.

Huffington Post: Grow, Grow

[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”20″][vc_column_text]This piece was written by Executive Director Ellen Magnis for Huffington Post

During this season of gratitude, I have been thinking about those who have helped shape my life in significant ways. I have had the benefit of many wise teachers. When I think back to my teenage years to some of my earliest mentors, Carla McGee comes to mind. She was a beloved high school teacher who then went on to become a principal, and then on to other leadership positions in education.

Mrs. McGee was a force to be reckoned with, and she communicated with a gentle and persistent persuasion. When she spoke, my friends and I listened attentively, inspired by her joyful presence and concern. She loved us. That much was clear. I was keenly aware of Mrs. McGee’s attention. I knew she believed in me, that she saw me. I saw myself differently because of her care. And I know many others would say the same — that she was a powerful force of inspiration in our early lives. She was a second mother. She was family.

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Huffington Post: Opportunity Doesn’t Knock for All

[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”20″][vc_column_text]This piece was written by Executive Director Ellen Magnis for Huffington Post

My son, Nick, is a college freshman, and he is embracing this opportunity with gusto. He, like so many young adults, is thoughtful, open to ideas and cares deeply about making a difference in the world. The norm and expectation established early in his life was that college is the logical next step along the path to realize his hopes and dreams. As a family, we have supported him, sacrificed for him and encouraged him to reach this important stage.

Not all young adults, however, have the opportunity to access this path. In fact, they don’t even know where the path begins. The playing field is far from even, and like so much of the injustice and disparity we see today, socioeconomic status is a compelling indicator.

Ellen Magnis Joins Minds Matter as New Executive Director

[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”20″][vc_column_text]New York, NY – September 1, 2015 — Ellen Magnis will take the helm at Minds Matter as the organization’s new Executive Director in the national office beginning in late September 2015. Magnis joins Minds Matter after an almost eight year tenure at the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center (DCAC).

Magnis, who was second in charge at DCAC, was responsible for fundraising, legislative affairs and public relations. She launched and scaled the agency’s education program and led the dramatic growth of national corporate partnerships and federal agency relationships for an internationally attended annual conference for more than 3,900 professionals. Known within the agency as a mentoring supervisor, she also spearheaded cross-agency improvements in performance management and led, in collaboration with the CEO and Board of Trustees, the development, execution and monitoring of an aggressive strategic plan.

Magnis began her non-profit career and spent seven years at the national center of the American Heart Association where she rose rapidly in the organization to hold a variety of leadership roles, providing an excellent training ground for large-scale strategy and national/state/local program development and implementation. She was the organization’s leader and spokesperson for a highly successful effort to improve stroke care across the country, noted in the literature as a “case study for systems change.”

As Executive Director at Minds Matter’s national office, Magnis will work closely with innovative volunteer leadership at the organization’s 12 chapters to develop a three-year strategic plan, to drive increased awareness of Minds Matter and to generate resources to support the agency’s ongoing success. She will also work to create new partnerships to strengthen program delivery across the country.

“I was ‘sold’ after meeting with students and graduates of the program,” Magnis notes. “I know determination, grit and gratitude when I see it, and I am very honored to help take Minds Matter to the next level, in partnership with an incredibly dedicated group of volunteer leaders.”

Magnis has an undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (Psychology, Sociology and Research) and an MBA with a concentration in Organizations and Strategy from the University of Texas at Dallas.

Magnis is committed to helping transform the lives of children and youth, and is a first-generation college graduate herself.