Pat Ryan, far left, Mike Ryan and sister Kathy Ryan, both far right, pose with 2010 Staten Island ACHIEVE Award winners.

Our Mission

Since 2005, our mission has been to improve college completion and post-college success for Staten Island students through four-year scholarships and proactive mentoring.

 

Who we are

Staten Island ACHIEVE is a fully volunteer-run, non-profit organization that provides four-year scholarships and proactive mentoring to graduating Staten Island high school students. Our organization was founded in 2005 by siblings Patrick, Michael, and Kathy Ryan to honor the legacy of their mother, Judy Ryan, and her belief that "If you work hard and have a good attitude, you can achieve anything you dream of." We are a local chapter of Scholarship America, a nonprofit organization that has distributed $4.2 billion to 2.5 million student since 1958.

 

Our Scholarships

We offer four-year, need- and merit-based scholarships (ranging from $4,000 to $20,000) to graduating Staten Island high school students. Awards are offered for students in specific categories, including for those who have overcome significant personal obstacles, demonstrate high potential in STEM and other fields, and are outstanding student-athletes. We also provide scholarships through school-specific matching programs with partners at Moore Catholic, Notre Dame Academy, and Susan Wagner High School. Learn more about our scholarships and partners.

 

Our Impact

Since inception, we have awarded approximately 1 million dollars in scholarships to 121 students with a scholarship retention rate of ~91%. We pair our scholarships with a network of Board members, volunteers, and prior scholarship winners to provide guidance to our students throughout college. Our goal is to help our winners succeed during and after college, as well as to highlight the impact they can have by "paying it forward" to those in their community following behind them. Our program has resulted in our students completing college at a rate ~30% higher than the national average.

 

How We Operate

We have a singular focus on providing our best financial, personal, and professional support to help our students achieve their post-high school dreams. With a dedicated group of volunteers and a Board of Directors that covers all operating expenses, 100% of every donation made to Staten Island ACHIEVE goes directly to funding student scholarships. No part of your gift will be used for administrative or fundraising costs. Our donors and sponsors are individuals, school groups, and local organizations in the Staten Island community.

 

Learn about our Matching Grant Program and Community Sponsors

 

 

To help support our Staten Island students, please consider donating. Want to get involved? Contact us or learn about our volunteering opportunities.

 

Staten Island ACHIEVE Dollars for Scholars | P.O. Box 20357 Cherokee Station | New York, NY 10021