The Community Uplift Project empowers Scholars to make a meaningful, direct impact on their communities, while bolstering their applications and candidacy for acceptance and financial support, to competitive colleges and universities.

How It Works

We help Scholars learn, heal, and uplift—securing their futures while empowering them to create positive change in the world around them.

check out our student projects

1. 8th Grade Start

Scholars begin planning projects with guidance from our staff.

2. Plan and Development

Scholars identify an issue they care about and develop a solution.

3. Real World Impact

Scholars implement solutions to address community needs and foster long-term impact.

Starting the second semester of their 8th-grade year, Scholars begin to plan out their projects and our staff guides them from idea development to final execution. Each Scholar selects a project that speaks to their aspirations for their community.

Scholars’ Current Projects

Support our Scholars by contributing to their Community Uplift Projects, which allow them to make a meaningful, direct impact on their communities.

Eco Marin Cleanup

Our project helps keep Marin’s beaches and streets with community cleanups.

Students:
Sebastian Morales + William Bekce

Goal $350

Raised $1319

Eco Marin Cleanup

Goal $350

Raised $1319 MA youth grant + NGS money

two teen boys in casual sweats picking up trash with a trash bag and garbage picker at Ocean beach in San Francisco

Not many people came when we launched our very first clean-up, but that didn't stop us from cleaning up our community. We stayed determined to clean up our community, and with our Instagram, we had many volunteers come out and support us. It was incredible to see the joy from other people watching us clean up because they believed we were doing something good.

Impact

15 bags of trash collected
3 clean up events
2 hours of community service given out at each clean up

Instagram
ecomarin_cleanup

To support my project directly, please put the name of my Community Uplift Project in the description.
View Campaign

Stitching Sustainability

Upcycling workshops that invite participants to bring their own clothes, ideas, and creativity to bring the community together around sustainability.

Student:
Valentina Luna

Goal $300

Raised $294

Stitching Sustainability

Goal $300

RAISED $294

students working on a sewing workshop

At first, only a few students showed up to the upcycling workshops, unsure of how to sew, paint, or use the stamps we made. But as the weeks went on and word spread, more and more students began to join in—bringing their own clothes, ideas, and creativity. Watching students who were once hesitant now confidently sewing, experimenting with natural dyes, and sharing their own designs made all the effort worth it. It showed me how creativity can build community and how sustainability becomes meaningful when everyone feels empowered to take part.

Impact

35 Participants
2 workshops
25 donated clothing items

To support my project directly, please put the name of my Community Uplift Project in the description.
View Campaign

Safe Splash

As a lifeguard and a swimmer, I was inspired to launch Safe Splash to provide underprivileged kids in my community with free swim lessons.

Student:
Mariajose Vigil Rodriguez

Goal $950

Raised $1169

Safe Splash

Goal $950

Raised $1169

students in a classroom setting with tables and a whiteboard with writing on it

As a lifeguard and a swimmer, I was inspired to launch Safe Splash to provide underprivileged kids in my community with free swim lessons.

Impact

$875 dollars granted from Marin Academy Youth Grant
10 students showed up to Safe Splash workshop
5 sign ups

To support my project directly, please put the name of my Community Uplift Project in the description.
View Campaign

Youth Soccer Academy

Providing young athletes with free cleats and the opportunity to learn and play soccer.

Students:
Carlos Cortez + Delwin Rodas

Goal $1000

Raised $1319

Youth Soccer Academy

Goal $1000

Raised $1319

A student named Michael, new to soccer, arrived in regular sneakers, eyes wide with excitement. When we gave him his first pair of cleats, he beamed and shouted, “Free cleats!” His joy showed exactly why we started the academy.

Impact

176 drinks passed out
50 hours
9 new pair of cleats

To support my project directly, please put the name of my Community Uplift Project in the description.
View Campaign

Save A Life

Teaching CPR, a life-saving skill to students who will earn their certification.

Student:
Jason Lopez

Goal $100

Raised $120

Save a Life

Goal $100

Raised $120 Local Donations

Initially, only a few students showed interest in learning CPR, but after I explained how it can save lives, they started to ask questions. By the end, several students signed up for certification. It showed me how one conversation can inspire action.

Impact

Taught 15 students about the importance and process of CPR.
Successfully recruited 5 students to take a certified CPR training course.
Held CPR awareness workshops during the semester at school.


To support my project directly, please put the name of my Community Uplift Project in the description.
View Campaign

Empowerment Entre Los Deportes

Uplifting 1st-5th graders through sports and expanding their understanding of the importance of nutrition during sports.

Students:
Dulce Valiente + Barbara Hernandez

Goal $650

Raised $588

Empowerment Entre Los Deportes

Goal $600

Raised $588, NGS money = $294 *2 ( we both had the 294) We only used $450

After just the first week, the students would light up with excitement and chant "yayayayaya!" every time we walked into the room. Watching their energy grow as they learned how to fuel their bodies and stay active was one of the most rewarding experiences I've had.

Impact

64 Little Scholars
30 total involvement hours
5 nutrition lessons


To support my project directly, please put the name of my Community Uplift Project in the description.
View Campaign

Purely Feminine

Purely Feminine started as a community project to support low-income women by providing access to hygiene and feminine products. Each donation helped care for women in need. We also led a workshop during NGS Summer Academy with about 25 students on menstrual health, hygiene, and self care.

Students:
Mariana Lopez + Jessica Viera

Goal $294

Raised $294

Purely Feminine

Goal $294

Raised $294 NGS money

students in a classroom with tables pushed together

Purely Feminine started as a community project to support low-income women by providing access to hygiene and feminine products. We received overwhelming community support after reaching out to our community on the app NextDoor, which led us to collecting over 800 donations, each one helping care for women in need and we also led a workshop during NGS Summer Academy with about 25 students on menstrual health, hygiene, and self care. This project showed how a united community can make a meaningful impact through compassion and education.

Impact

20 students attended class workshop at Summer NGS Academy
800 donations donated by community after reaching out on nextdoor
Received $294 for our project from NGS.


To support my project directly, please put the name of my Community Uplift Project in the description.
View Campaign

Empowering Day Workers in Marin

My project is to empower those build our country. My plan was to provide 50 day laborers with convenient bags full of snacks, drinks, and safety construction tools. But being limited by short funding, I was only able to provide snacks and drinks to the original goal of 50 day laborers.

Students:
Romeo Mazariegos

Goal $800

Raised $200

Empowering Day Workers in Marin

Goal $800

Raised $294 NGS money

On Saturday, July 19th, workers waited alone on the sidewalk outside Marin Square, unsure who might be picked for the day. When my friend and I pulled up empty-handed, they were all confused. Until they saw the back of my truck bed full of bags, they all approached me with a smile on their face.

Impact

Handed out over 50 convenient bags to Day Laborers.
Interviewed 38 Day Laborers through a five-question survey.
From the 38 Day laborers, 31-day laborers work on average 1-2 days, never hear back from employers, and struggle to make an income.

My plan was to provide 50 day laborers with convenient bags full of snacks, drinks, and safety construction tools. When creating a budget list, it came to a total of more then 800$. But being limited by short funding, I was only able to provide snacks and drinks to the original goal of 50 day laborers.


To support my project directly, please put the name of my Community Uplift Project in the description.
View Campaign

help us get to our goal

Empowering Latinas through the Power of Nails

Over the course of a few nail classes, I watched my students grow so much — their confidence, creativity, and technique improved with every set they created.

Student:
Samantha Sanchez

Goal $3000

Raised $3000

Empowering Latinas through the Power of Nails

Goal $3000

Raised $3000

two students doing nails

Over the course of a few nail classes, I watched my students grow so much — their confidence, creativity, and technique improved with every set they created. Each class, they came in more excited and eager to learn something new. I’m so proud of their progress, and I hope to continue teaching again next year.

Impact

3 students
Each nail class was 1 hour
Saved each student over 8,000 dollars (the amount it takes to start up a business)


To support my project directly, please put the name of my Community Uplift Project in the description.
View Campaign

Dentists Coming to Life

My project created opportunities for students interested in dentistry to shadow a dentist and learn about the profession.

Student:
Denysse Hernandez

Goal $900

Raised $294

Dentists Coming to Life

Goal $900

Raised $294

My project impacted NGS by allowing a partnership for future dentistry interested students

Impact

2 NGS participants
Shadow a dentist for 16 hours
Created one partnership with NGS


To support my project directly, please put the name of my Community Uplift Project in the description.
View Campaign

Discovering the Outdoors

For my project, I got involved with a local non-profit that uplifts minority groups to explore the outdoors, and set up a two week outdoor trip for young adults from multi-cultural backgrounds.

Student:
Catherine Tzul

Goal $0

Raised $100

Discovering the Outdoors

Goal $0

Raised $100

a group of kayakers wearing hats and life vests on a sunny day on a lake

I wanted to create a more diverse and welcoming space for minority groups. So this summer I lead a two week outdoor trip with young adults from different backgrounds.

Impact

I went to NGS classes and let them know about opportunity to join outdoor trip.
Reached out through nextdoor neighbor app to get donations.
I got involved with the non-profit that uplifts minority groups to explore the outdoors.


To support my project directly, please put the name of my Community Uplift Project in the description.
View Campaign

Paw Pantry

I come from a low income household who experienced this not being able to afford pet food and I want to major in animal science.

Student:
Karla Interiano

Goal $718

Raised $294

Paw Pantry

Goal $718

Raised $294

bags of dry pet food, cans of wet pet food

I come from a low income household who experienced this not being able to afford pet food and I want to major in animal science.

Impact

63 pounds of dog and cat food donated
2 food pantries hosted for NGS community
108 pound given out to community


To support my project directly, please put the name of my Community Uplift Project in the description.
View Campaign

Feeling Inspired?

Our mission is made possible by your generosity, partnership,
and support. To make a contribution, visit our donate page.

Sign Up To Our Newsletter

Stay up to date on upcoming events, student wins, and so much more!

Name