New York & London. 16th November 2023: Let’s Get Ready (LGR), a leading US college Access and Success programme dedicated to supporting under-represented students in high school and college, is excited to announce a new partnership with The Hg Foundation, a grant-giving charity with a focus on removing barriers to education and skills in technology.

The c.$1m three-year partnership aims to develop a new and groundbreaking STEM Pathway programme, to add to LGR’s existing offerings. The programme will focus on guiding students through their college transition to successful careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This includes the creation of LGR's first-ever career and alumni platform, as well as a strategically important impact evaluation of LGR's overall provision.

Over three years, the partnership will support 6,900 STEM students, doubling the current number of LGR students interested in STEM. As a result of this support, the programme aims to lower the college dropout rates and increase graduation rates among these students, as well as increase their interest and progression into STEM careers. The partnership also includes support for a Randomized Control Trial, to measure the overall effectiveness of LGR's provision.

“We are thrilled to embark on this important work with the partnership of The Hg Foundation. With thousands of students interested in STEM careers, this investment gives us the opportunity to pilot a career-focused curation of our approach at scale and understand the ways nurturing a career aspiration can lead to persistence in the college journey for students who will lead our world tomorrow.” Lena Eberhart, CEO at Let’s Get Ready

Research shows that individuals from low-income backgrounds, rural communities and those who are Black/African American and Hispanic/Latinx, have a higher college dropout rate due to the financial pressures and difficulties they experience when settling into college. Let’s Get Ready has 25 years’ experience in improving college retention. 68% of students who take part in its Access and Success programmes graduate from college within six years, more than double the rate for peer students from low-income homes.

The Hg Foundation was formed in 2020 and is backed by Hg, a leading investor in European and transatlantic software and services businesses. It supports programmes which help under-represented groups aged 11 upwards to progress through the education and employment pipeline into jobs in the technology industry. The Foundation provides funding and operational support to charitable schemes across the UK, US and Europe where measurable, long-term and scalable impact can be demonstrated.

“The Hg Foundation’s vision is that the tech workforce of the future harnesses the talents of all, regardless of background. Together with Let's Get Ready we are committed to supporting students from under-represented groups to pursue STEM majors and careers, equipping them with the necessary skills and resources to achieve success in this sector. This partnership seeks to inspire and support the next generation of STEM professionals, fostering a diverse and innovative workforce for the future.” Juan Campos, Trustee at The Hg Foundation and Partner at Hg.

About The Hg Foundation:

The Hg Foundation’s vision is that the tech workforce of the future harnesses the talents of all, regardless of background. It does this by supporting education and employment-based programmes across the UK, USA and Europe where it can demonstrate measurable, long-term and scalable impact and make a difference to those that need it most. To date it has committed $20m to programmes that will reach over 50,000 young people and adults from under-represented backgrounds. The Hg Foundation is registered Charity no. 1189216. Find out more at https://www.thehgfoundation.com

About Let's Get Ready:

Let’s Get Ready (LGR) provides students who are first-generation to college or from historically disinvested communities with the guidance and support needed to achieve their college aspirations. Highly-trained, paid college students serve as role models and mentors, and provide real-time near-peer support to LGR students to and through college via fully virtual, cost-effective technology. Learn more at https://www.letsgetready.org