By Degrees Foundation

08/24/2026

Happy First Day of School! 🍎

We're so excited to welcome back all of our students and families for a wonderful year of programming, exploration, and opportunities. Here's to an amazing school year! 📚

08/20/2026

We're Hiring!

By Degrees Foundation has an open position for an Administrative Coordinator. We are seeking an individual with exceptional organization, attention to detail, initiative, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while working collaboratively across departments.

If you or someone you know is interested in working with youth and families to help them navigate the path to their postsecondary goals, this is your opportunity to apply! ✨

Apply or Learn More at https://www.bydegreesfoundation.org/our-team

08/14/2026

Join the By Degrees Team! 💼

The By Degrees Foundation is expanding and is currently hiring for the Program Manager position at Findley Elementary. We are seeking an individual who is passionate about facilitating programs, engaging with students and families, and collaborating with school leadership to identify needs and develop solutions for student success.

If you or someone you know is interested in working with youth and families to help them navigate the path to their postsecondary goals, this is your opportunity to apply! ✨

Apply or Learn More at https://www.bydegreesfoundation.org/our-team

08/11/2026

The new school year is just around the corner, and we can't wait!🎒📚

We welcomed our team back from summer break with a two-day staff retreat at our By Degrees HQ. The entire team came together to prepare for the upcoming year, ensuring that our programming effectively supports students in graduating from high school with a solid plan and the necessary tools for success.

We are excited for another year filled with opportunities, college and career exploration, and financial empowerment for our students as we continue to serve our community. 💫

08/07/2026

Our longtime partners at the GreenState Credit Union Foundation have provided support in strengthening By Degrees programs and enhancing our engagement with students and their finances over the past several years.

Thanks to the generous support from GreenState, By Degrees has been able to expand our financial literacy initiatives, particularly regarding our 529 Savings Account program, which helps students prepare for their postsecondary futures. It is through the support of our community partners that By Degrees can empower students to explore, dream, and plan for a financially secure future.

We sincerely thank the GreenState Foundation for their unwavering support of our students and families. 💚

07/29/2026

By Degrees is proud to partner with BLK & Bold Specialty Beverages through their For Our Youth initiative, which funds organizations creating opportunities for young people. 🎓

Their generous $28,000 contribution, along with connections to other community organizations, enhances our resources for students and families. This support enables us to continue our mission of providing postsecondary readiness, career exploration, and financial capacity building.

Thank you, BLK & Bold, for your continued support of By Degrees and our Des Moines students and families! ☕💙

07/23/2026

Summer is here, and with it comes our exciting July Newsletter!

Dive into the latest updates on By Degrees programming and our impactful partnerships. This month, discover how our expanded 529 Account initiative is benefiting students, hear inspiring student experiences, and explore our meaningful collaborations with community partners.

Don't miss out—read this month's newsletter now!🔗 https://conta.cc/45haX7k

07/17/2026

Thank you to West Bank Strong for supporting By Degrees. Your dedication to helping our community and boosting our efforts to improve postsecondary readiness and high school graduation rates is appreciated. 💙

West Banker Kirk Besh presented Samuel Early, By Degrees Foundation's Operations Manager, with a West Bancorporation Foundation grant check. West Bank is happy to help support them in their mission to increase high school graduation and postsecondary readiness rates in our community.

West Bank | Member FDIC

07/16/2026

Thank you to Community Youth Concepts’ uVoice Youth Philanthropy Board for selecting By Degrees as one of only two organizations selected to receive grant funding.

The uVoice Board is made up of 15 high school students from across the Des Moines metro who spend the year learning about community needs, reviewing nonprofit organizations, and directing grant funding to programs they believe will make a meaningful impact. 🌟

This year, By Degrees and Al Éxito were chosen to receive funding through their competitive grant process. This grant will support our elementary and middle school college visits during the 2026-27 school year. 🏫

07/14/2026

Funding Futures 💰

Over the past year and a half, our 529 savings account program has expanded to include ALL STUDENTS at By Degrees partner schools, thanks to the support of the Mid-Iowa Health Foundation and the Wells Fargo Foundation.

The average balance for all students at our schools is over $500. Research shows that having just $500 in a 529 savings account at the time of high school graduation makes a student FOUR TIMES more likely to graduate from a postsecondary institution. 🎓

Learn more about our 529 Account Expansion here: https://ow.ly/pTOO50ZnuiS