Foundations Invest in FirstGen Forward’s Mission and Expansion

Two major private foundations have awarded grants to FirstGen Forward to expand its Network and its reach, focused on HBCUs and MSIs

WASHINGTON, DC (October 1, 2026)— To help higher education institutions gain the vital tools and insights required for first-generation student achievement across college, careers, and beyond, FirstGen Forward is excited to share news of two significant investments. These initiatives will directly strengthen and scale the organization’s ongoing mission.

With Lumina Foundation’s support, First Gen Forward will build capacity and equip minority-serving institutions (MSIs) with actionable data tools and strategies that drive measurable improvements in momentum metrics and first-generation student success. The Kresge Foundation is supporting a data convening designed to accelerate data capacity building to expand access to education among historically Black colleges and universities.

Part of the mission of Lumina is to expand postsecondary learning opportunities to strengthen the workforce. With their funding FirstGen Forward will equip MSIs with actionable data tools and strategies that drive measurable improvements in momentum metrics and first-generation student success. The key deliverables will be producing two case studies highlighting institutional efforts and lessons learned and a publicly accessible open-access microsite, serving as a centralized repository for case studies, tools, and project resources.

“Every institution that joins the FirstGen Forward Network represents thousands of students, even hundreds of thousands of students over time, who will benefit from systems that fully support their educational journeys. This grant from Lumina will be transformational for the universities that have the opportunity to join the Network or progress in their Network journey,” said Dr. Martina A. Martin, vice president of the FirstGen Forward Network.

Grounded by Kresge Foundation’s focus on expanding college access and reducing equity gaps, FirstGen Forward will launch its first-ever HBCU Data Leadership Experience: Advancing Institutional Transformation for First-Gen Success, a multi-part learning experience designed to strengthen HBCUs’ capacity to use data to advance first-generation student success. Participating institutions will engage in two virtual learning events, an in-person convening, and individualized coaching and support from FirstGen Forward Expert Guides. Through these experiences, HBCU practitioners will learn alongside one another, engage with leaders from peer institutions, and build the knowledge and strategies needed to advance sustained, data-informed, system-wide improvements on their campuses.

“The critical work of transforming the systems of higher-ed to support first-gen students is only possible because of the forward-thinking philanthropic partners who are committed to expanding educational opportunity,” said FirstGen Forward President Dr. Stephanie J. Bannister. “These generous investments bring leaders together, share knowledge, and elevate student success across the country.”

These new investments will significantly expand the reach of the FirstGen Forward Network, accelerating nationwide efforts to transform higher education for first-generation students and advancing FirstGen Forward's strategic goal of adding and advancing 100 institutions into and through the Network by 2030.

More than 500 institutions have joined the FirstGen Forward Network, a three-phase journey to help transform their systems to better support first-generation students. Specifically, FirstGen Forward will provide expert guidance to increase credit completion rates, first-to-second-year retention rates, enrollment numbers, and graduation rates. Recruitment for the Network funded by this grant will focus on MSIs, HBCUs, and community colleges.

To learn more about FirstGen Forward and the Network, visit firstgenforward.org.

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ABOUT FIRSTGEN FORWARD

FirstGen Forward is the center for first-generation student success– your premier source for evidence-based approaches, data-informed strategies, professional development, and research. Together, we are building community and belonging through the FirstGen Forward Network, knowledge creation and evidence-based practices, and thought leadership and advocacy, transforming higher education and the student success landscape guided by a first-gen lens.