Research, Tools & Partners

Every program we run is grounded in peer-reviewed research and longitudinal data. Our partners amplify our reach. Our tools empower students and families to take action.

Partners & Collaborators

Our partnerships span school districts, employers, foundations, and civic organizations. Together, we build the infrastructure that makes student success possible at scale.

School Partners

Houston Independent School District (HISD)

School District

Primary student pipeline — 187,000 students, 274 schools

KIPP Texas Public Schools

Charter Network

Shared student population in North Houston and East End

YES Prep Public Schools

Charter Network

Aligned mission in college access for under-resourced students

Harmony Public Schools

Charter Network

STEM-focused, strong overlap with career pathway programming

Employer Partners

Texas Medical Center (TMC)

Healthcare Hub

Largest medical complex in the world — direct career exposure pipeline

CenterPoint Energy

Energy

Energy Expressway training program alignment

Ion Houston

Technology Hub

Tech sector career exposure and internship pipeline

Port of Houston Authority

Logistics

Logistics and supply chain career pathway

Funding Partners

JP Morgan Chase Foundation

Foundation

Financial literacy curriculum credentialing and workforce development

Greater Houston Community Foundation

Community Foundation

Local philanthropic infrastructure and donor-advised fund pipeline

Houston Endowment

Foundation

Education-focused grantmaking in Houston

Kinder Foundation

Foundation

Houston-specific education and community development focus

Civic & Advocacy Partners

Good Reason Houston

Advocacy

FAFSA Houston Coalition — shared scholarship access mission

City of Houston Mayor's Office of Education

Government

Youth engagement and workforce development alignment

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

State Agency

FAFSA/TASFA policy and college access data

Houston Area Urban League

Nonprofit

Workforce development and economic mobility alignment

Research & Reports

Our programs are not built on assumptions. Every pillar is grounded in peer-reviewed research and longitudinal data from credible institutions.

The State of Scholarship Access in Houston

Good Reason Houston / FAFSA Houston Coalition — 2022–2023

Documented counselor capacity crisis: HISD counselors manage 300+ students each, making individual scholarship coaching impossible at scale.

Relevance to FOC

Primary evidence base for our scholarship navigation pillar.

Youth Disconnection in Houston: Opportunity Youth Data

City of Houston Mayor's Office / National League of Cities — 2023

Nearly 110,000 Houston youth and young adults remain disconnected from school and/or the workforce. The majority are Black, Indigenous, or People of Color from low-income communities.

Relevance to FOC

Defines the population we serve and the scale of the problem.

Financial Literacy and Credit Outcomes

Champlain College / FINRA Investor Education Foundation — 2023

Students with 3 years of high school financial literacy education show 25+ point credit score increases and are 40% less likely to fall behind on credit payments.

Relevance to FOC

Primary evidence base for our Financial Freedom Workshops curriculum.

Big Brothers Big Sisters 30-Year Longitudinal Study

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America — 2025

Mentored youth earn an estimated $56,000+ more over their lifetime (by age 65) compared to non-mentored peers.

Relevance to FOC

Primary evidence base for our Purpose & Path Mentorship Program.

Gates Millennium Scholars 20-Year Outcomes

Gates Millennium Scholars Program / IHEP — 2023

90% six-year graduation rate for Gates Millennium Scholars, compared to 41% for low-income students nationally.

Relevance to FOC

Benchmark for our scholarship program outcomes model.

Houston Landing: Scholarship & Mentorship Impact Study

Houston Landing — 2024

Low-income Houston students who receive scholarships and mentorship are 4× more likely to earn a living wage (18% → 88%).

Relevance to FOC

Houston-specific evidence for our combined scholarship + mentorship model.

Financial Wellness Assessment

Answer 8 questions to get a snapshot of your financial literacy foundation. Takes 2 minutes.

Budgeting

Do you have a personal budget that you follow monthly?

Credit

Do you know your current credit score?

Savings

Do you have an emergency fund with 3+ months of expenses?

Student Debt

Do you understand the difference between a subsidized and unsubsidized student loan?

Financial Aid

Have you completed a FAFSA or TASFA application?

Retirement

Do you have a retirement savings account (401k, IRA, or similar)?

Financial Literacy

Do you know how compound interest works and how it affects debt?

College Planning

Have you compared the total cost of attendance (not just tuition) for any college you're considering?

Financial Wellness Toolkit

Our free Financial Wellness Toolkit is designed for students, parents, and families navigating the financial decisions that shape long-term economic outcomes. Built on our JP Morgan Chase-credentialed curriculum, it covers the essentials of financial literacy in an accessible, actionable format.

Personal budget template (monthly and annual)
Credit score improvement action plan
FAFSA/TASFA step-by-step completion guide
Houston scholarship database (curated, 50+ sources)
College cost comparison worksheet
Predatory lending red flags checklist

Download the Toolkit — Free

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