California Whole Person College Application

Income inequality

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Founded in 2005, Greenhouse was established following an analysis of college persistence rates and the power of education as the fundamental solution for a broad array of issues. A first of its kind, Greenhouse was one of the only organizations in the country supporting students during college with more than just tuition scholarships. For 19 years, Greenhouse has provided extraordinary leaders from under-resourced and underrepresented backgrounds personal, professional, and financial resources designed to help them realize economic mobility and community impact, and, ultimately, live a life of their choosing. Of our Scholars and Alumni, 100% come from low-income backgrounds (all-time median household income of $33,149), 83% are students of color, and 74% are first-generation college students. Many of our Scholars have experienced or been affected by homelessness, incarceration, abuse, and/or broken homes, yet are relentless in their pursuit of a better life.

The Whole Person College Program serves high-performing students from under-resourced communities for five years during college with seven program components: mentorship, professional networking, internships, skills modules, Summer Symposium, strategic impact plan, and financial support. Our Scholars receive the most comprehensive, highest quality 5-year college support program in the country. The Whole Person College Program ensures college students receive the education, mindset, relationships, and tools to earn degrees, take on leadership roles, and prepare for careers -- all essential for building wealth.
The results have been outstanding. 98% of Greenhouse Scholars graduate college, compared to 14% of low-income, first-generation college students nationally. The average college debt of Scholars is $2,026, compared to $39,351 nationally and starting salaries are 2x that of both their parents and 22% higher than their peers-- changing the trajectory of entire families. The networks formed by our Scholars are 3 times larger than the networks of their peers. 79% of Scholars have started at least one nonprofit business, community group or change initiative. Additionally, Greenhouse supports our Alumni with our Young Leaders Program as they transition from college to the professional world. Our support begins at the age of 17 and continues until they are 30+. We created this model and are the only organization in the country with this kind of impact on our constituents.

Greenhouse expanded to Los Angeles in response to the high demand for our services. California has one of the nation's lowest rates of public high school students attending 4-year colleges, at just 26%. Additionally, California residents are 47% more likely to drop out of college compared to the national average, and 70% of Los Angeles students receive free or reduced lunch.
Greenhouse directly tackles these challenges by collaborating with Scholars, Alumni, donors, and partners to empower young change-makers from underserved communities. We provide them with essential resources for success, leveraging their firsthand experiences to catalyze community change. Together, we've launched 368 businesses, nonprofits, and change initiatives led by our Scholars. Through a partnership with LA2050, we aim to foster lasting positive transformations in these communities to create generational change for Los Angelenos.

Our primary measure of success for the Whole Person College Program is our Scholars' graduation rate, which stands at 98%, far surpassing the national average of 14% for first-gen low-income students. Additional metrics include Scholars' GPAs, starting salaries, college debt, network sizes, and mentorship/volunteering activity.
Greenhouse Scholars achieve an average GPA of 3.51, significantly higher than the national average of 3.15, and start with an average salary of $68,273—twice their parents' earnings and over $10,000 more than the national average. Through Flex Funding, corporate partnerships, and community connections, we've secured 40 internships and job placements. Furthermore, 71% of our Scholars mentor younger students.
While relatively new to LA, Greenhouse has successfully expanded to Illinois, Georgia, New York, and North Carolina since our 2005 founding in Colorado. With a scalable plan, we are committed to increasing our impact in LA as we have across the country.