Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

  • Improve Your Tomorrow (IYT) is a registered nonprofit that provides mentorship, resources, and support to boys and young men of color with the goal of getting them to and through college.

  • Current IYT operating regions include the Bay Area (CA), Central Valley (CA), Sacramento (CA), Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, and Wisconsin.

  • We focus our efforts on young men of color because this demographic faces systemic barriers often resulting in them being overrepresented in the justice system and underrepresented in higher education. It’s not about excluding others, but rather closing a specific opportunity gap created by long-standing social and economic factors.

  • When we reference “the Brotherhood,” we’re talking about the powerful network of IYT Brothers, Mentors, support staff, community members, regional boards, and other key individuals who have a vested interest in seeing our young men succeed. Part of what makes IYT so powerful is the network of alumni who have completed our programming, and have chosen to invest their time and energy into becoming IYT Mentors themselves. This cycle of support is growing exponentially, and now includes thousands of members across the country. When a young man enrolls in our programming, he gains access to this network, and can count on the Brotherhood for encouragement and support for as long as it’s needed.

  • Through our three central programs (College Academy, College Completion, and Mentor Fellowship), we offer services including:

    • Mentorship

    • Tutoring

    • Workshops

    • Study Hall Sessions

    • Accountability Check-ins

    • College Campus Tours

    • Professional Development

    • And more

  • Core IYT programming includes three offerings:

    • College Academy (6th-12th grade)

    • College Completion (higher education support)

    • Mentor Fellowship (career development)

    Please scroll down to learn more information about our programs.

  • College Academy: Boys and young men of color in 6th-12th grade at any of our participating schools are eligible to apply. Depending on the school and/or district, the school site administration might need to sign off on the application.

    College Completion: Young men of color enrolled as students at any participating campus are eligible to enroll. Contact your school administration to find out more.

    Mentor Fellowship: Please visit our Careers page and view Mentor Fellowship opportunities near you to see a list of full requirements.

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  • Yes! Currently we have agreements with several colleges and universities to offer guaranteed admissions to graduates of College Academy. Please visit our College Academy page to learn more.

6th-12th Grade

IYT College Academy

  • IYT College Academy offers support and resources to boys and young men of color in 6th-12th grade. Our programming is offered in select schools within each of our operating regions across the United States.

    Our members (who we call “IYT Brothers”) often enroll after experiencing challenges in school including absences, low grades/falling behind, and/or feeling disconnected from their peers.

  • Members enrolled in the program receive support services including mentorship, member development, college advising & tours, academic study hall, parent engagement, and internships.

  • Boys and young men of color in 6th-12th grade at any of our participating schools are eligible to apply. Depending on the school and/or district, the school site administration might need to sign off on the application.

  • Once enrolled, our members (“IYT Brothers”) can continue receiving support from 6th grade through 12th grade.

  • In order to provide uninterrupted support to members, graduates of our College Academy Program are automatically enrolled in College Completion.

  • First, you’ll determine whether IYT programming is offered at your school site. Your teachers and/or school administration will be able to answer this for you.

    If IYT is currently offered at your campus, please visit your school office and ask to be connected with the IYT program team.

    Next, you’ll fill out a simple form, which (in most cases), the school will need to sign off on.

    Applicants are generally always accepted, unless our roster is full for the year.

IYT College Academy 
Career Development

IYT Mentor Fellowship

  • The IYT Mentor Fellowship is a year-long opportunity to work directly with IYT Brothers in our College Academy (grades 6-12) or College Completion (higher education) programs.

  • As an IYT mentor you’re responsible for being the blueprint and helping 25-50 IYT Brothers as they navigate 6th-12th grade and beyond. You’ll work alongside them, helping students crush their college applications and secure financial aid, and lead workshops on civic engagement, life skills, and various IYT Brotherhood activities.

    You’ll also connect the dots, keeping parents in the loop and bridging the gap between home and school.

  • Ideal candidates are passionate about social justice and equity in education, can vibe with teenagers and command a room, organized enough to handle data (we use Salesforce, but don’t worry we’ll teach you!), and can commit to the mission Mon-Fri and 1-2 Saturdays a month. The Fellowship is especially valuable if you’re about to graduate (or just did) from college, and you’re looking to gain the type of experience hiring managers absolutely LOVE to see on a resume.

    Same goes for anyone studying or interested in a career in Education, Psychology, or a related field.

  • In order to be eligible for the Mentor Fellowship, we ask that applicants are available M-F, 40 hours a week, plus the occasional Saturday/Sunday.

  • If awarded the IYT Mentor Fellowship, in addition to a bi-weekly stipend you’ll receive medical benefits (if eligible), access to mental health workshops, student loan relief (defer your loans while serving and earn the Segal Education Award to pay them off), flexible hours, professional development opportunities, and access to our powerful, nationwide network of program Alumni to help jumpstart your career. Upon successful completion of the service term (one year), you’ll also receive a monetary educational award.

    Last but not least, the Fellowship offers the transformational experience of serving your community, and seeing the direct impact of your efforts. Invest in your future self, and be the blueprint you needed at that age.

  • Absolutely! Our biggest priority is finding people with a values alignment who will be the best possible mentors for IYT Brothers.

  • Head to our Careers page to view open Fellowship opportunities in your area.

  • The IYT Mentor Fellowship lasts for one school year.

IYT Mentor Fellowship 
Higher Education

IYT College Completion

  • IYT College Completion is a program offered by Improve Your Tomorrow (IYT) that supports our members enrolled in higher education.

    Enrolled members get access to career pathway workshops, panels with industry experts, interactive info sessions, internship prep training, mentorship, and more. Through the College Completion Program members can also access our robust, nationwide network of professionals in just about every industry. No matter your chosen career path, our team is there to support and connect you, every step of the way.

  • All members who complete our College Academy program are automatically enrolled in IYT College Completion. This ensures their transition from high school to college is seamless, and we’re able to continue supporting them with services without interruption.

  • While our College Academy Brothers are automatically enrolled in College Completion, we do make exceptions on a case-by-case basis. If you’re a young man of color currently enrolled as a college student, please get in touch with our team and we’ll be in touch promptly.

  • Members enrolled in our College Completion program enjoy the following benefits:

    • Mentorship

    • Career Readiness

    • Member Development

    • Community Building

  • If you’d like more information, please fill out this form and our team will be in touch promptly.

  • There are a variety of ways you can help support the College Completion Program.

    • Donate: Please visit our Donate page to set up a one-time or recurring donation.

    • Connect: If there are contacts in your network who can help us implement programming at more campuses, and/or establish campus tours to new sites, please fill out this form and our team will be in touch promptly.

    • Share: Consider sharing our impact report, or info about the College Completion Program with people in your life who believe in equity in education.

IYT College Completion 
Take Action

Engaging with IYT

  • Our available career opportunities can be viewed on our Careers page.

  • Please visit our Donate page to create a one-time or recurring donation.

  • At the bottom of each of the pages linked below, you’ll find a donation form. Using the form on a regional page will automatically ensure your gift supports IYT programming in that specific region.

    You may also use the form embedded on our main Donate page, and use the dropdown to indicate which region you’d like to dedicate your gift to.

  • Thank you for your interest! Please fill out this form and our team will be in touch promptly.

  • Please fill out this form, and our team will be in touch promptly.

  • Thank you for your interest! We offer a variety of ways to support IYT, all of which can be found on our Get Involved page. If you have something specific in mind that you don’t see listed there, please use the form on our Contact Us page and we’d be happy to discuss it with you!

Get Involved