The national workforce development and education nonprofit Jobs for the Future today is launching a request for proposals to create up to four new statewide Student Success Centers to improve community college persistence and completion.

Through its partnership with JFF, The Kresge Foundation has supported the creation and growth of these centers since 2010. The new RFP is backed by Kresge and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The RFP opens today to any state without an operating statewide Student Success Center. JFF runs a network of centers in seven states — Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio and Texas.

The centers have staffs, budgets and advisory boards that create, connect and promote programs and policies and help community colleges across a state better coordinate success-focused initiatives.

“The established centers have accomplished an amazing amount in just a few years,” said Caroline Altman Smith, the senior program officer on Kresge’s education team. “They’ve proven they can help accelerate a state’s efforts to improve community college success by fostering better coordination across campuses. The end result is that students will have improved access to programs and supports that will help them achieve their goals.” 

On JFF’s website, organizations can access a tool kit that describes how these centers are structured, highlights what they have accomplished and provides advice for those looking to launch a center in their state. They can also find information about an upcoming webinar on Sept. 14 on the RFP process and information on how to apply for this funding opportunity.

Kresge works to expand opportunity for low-income people in America’s cities. Its Education Program promotes postsecondary access and success for low-income, first-generation and underrepresented students.