PepsiCo Foundation Increases Investment in Diplomas Now to $16 Million

The new grant will help more than 64,000 low-income students stay on track to graduate from high school.
May 22, 2014 12:00 PM ET

PepsiCo Foundation Increases Investment in Diplomas Now to $16 Million

The PepsiCo Foundation announced it is increasing its commitment to Diplomas Now, a proven approach that helps the toughest middle and high schools in America’s largest cities ensure that students graduate and are ready for college or careers.

An additional $5 million brings the PepsiCo Foundation’s total investment to $16.1 million.

In 2008, the PepsiCo Foundation became the founding investor in Diplomas Now, which started that year with one pilot school in Philadelphia.

Today, the program serves 31,000 primarily African-American and Latino students in 40 schools in 14 cities from New York City to Los Angeles and Miami to Seattle using a model that improves a school’s curriculum and instruction and implements an early warning system with enhanced student support to provide students with the right support at the right time.

The new grant will help serve an additional 33,000 students and support Diplomas Now operations through 2016-2017, enabling the extension of a major, independent evaluation of the model.

“Diplomas Now offers a unique and compelling solution to America’s education crisis,” said Kristina Mangelsdorf, senior director of the PepsiCo Foundation. “We are pleased to deepen our relationship and increase our commitment to this promising program that increases student achievement and keeps young people on the path to graduation.” 

Read more about PepsiCo's Diplomas Now Partnership.