By Degrees Establishes College Accounts for Harding Students
Over the years, the By Degrees Foundation has been an important partner in supporting the educational aspirations of students at the north side schools of 麻豆果冻 Moines Public Schools. That partnership expanded this week thanks to a major gift from the Mid-Iowa Health Foundation enabling By Degrees to establish college savings account for every student at Harding Middle School. The press release below includes further details on the program along with photos from the announcement at the Harding school library.
By Degrees Foundation is pleased to announce a gift of $140,000 from Mid-Iowa Health Foundation to expand their innovative 529 Savings Account Program to all students at Harding Middle School in 麻豆果冻 Moines. The announcement took place at Harding Middle school located in 麻豆果冻 Moines鈥 north side community, in front of students, parents, community partners and 麻豆果冻 Moines Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Ian Roberts.
鈥淲e know for a fact that saving early can reduce a family鈥檚 need to borrow, help reduce debt, and inspire conversations around what comes after high school,鈥 said Emily Westergaard, Chief Executive Officer of the By Degrees Foundation. 鈥淲ith the investment from Mid-Iowa Health Foundation we are able to help ensure more central Iowa students graduate from high school ready to pursue post-secondary education with the tools they need to be successful.鈥
Prior to Mid-Iowa Health Foundation鈥檚 investment, enrollment in the program was only available to students who began their education at Findley Elementary. This grant allows By Degrees Foundation to immediately expand program eligibility to all students at Harding Middle School, regardless of where they attended elementary school. Such expansion ensures more students have access to the same financial supports and opportunities for their futures, creating a more equitable education environment that increases student and family engagement, strengthens school culture, and supports student success.
Foundation President and CEO, Dr. Nalo Johnson, stated, 鈥淢id-Iowa Health Foundation is proud to support the research-based programming of the By Degrees Foundation.聽聽We believe that every DMPS student is a scholar, and we are excited to invest in the students鈥 and their families鈥 growth along their educational journey.鈥
By Degrees Foundation鈥檚 529 Savings Account Program is the first asset-building program of its kind in Iowa, developed from research showing that just $500 in a dedicated 529 account makes a student four times more likely to graduate from postsecondary education. Since the program鈥檚 inception in 2015, By Degrees has invested more than $300,000 in 550 麻豆果冻 Moines student accounts, with an average account size $850. Combined with By Degrees鈥 future-focused approach, these accounts reduce the widening wealth gap, increase engagement, and strengthen financial health.