10,000 Degrees is a nonprofit that promotes “educational equity” through supporting “students from low-income backgrounds” advancing “to and through college” ¹

As of 2026, 10,000 Degrees operates in eight Bay Area counties such as Marin, San Francisco, Santa Clara, and Sonoma. It also has offices in the state of Utah. The organization is partnered with high schools, community colleges, and universities across the state including California State University and the University of California, Berkeley. ²

According to its website, 100 percent of the students it supports come from low-income backgrounds, and 93 percent of the students it supports are “Black, Indigenous, Latine & People of Color.” 10,000 Degrees also claims to be the “leading equity-focused scholarship provider” in California. ^{3 4}

History and Background

10,000 Degrees promotes “educational equity” through supporting “students from low-income backgrounds” advancing “to and through college” ¹ 10,000 Degrees was initially founded as “the Marin Education Foundation” in 1981, which awarded $1.7 million in scholarships in its first three years. ^{1 5} By 1999, the group’s focus shifted towards “educational equity” following the appointment of president and CEO Kim Mazzuca. ⁶

In 2025, 10,000 Degrees claimed to have helped more than 16,000 students while providing $9.6 million in scholarships that year. It also claimed that as of 2026, 90 percent of students whom it supports graduate from college debt-free, compared to 31 percent of students nationally. ⁷ As of 2026, the organization claimed to have provided $113 million in scholarships since 1981. ⁸

As of 2026, 10,000 Degrees operates in eight Bay Area counties such as Marin, San Francisco, Santa Clara, and Sonoma. It also has offices in the state of Utah. The organization is partnered with high schools, community colleges, and universities across the state including California State University and the University of California, Berkeley. ²

According to its website, 100 percent of the students it supports come from low-income backgrounds, and 93 percent of the students it supports are “Black, Indigenous, Latine & People of Color.” 10,000 Degrees also labels itself as the “leading equity-focused scholarship provider” in California. ^{9 4}

Affiliated Organizations

According to its website, several of 10,000 Degrees’ listed corporate partners include Apple, BlackRock, Bank of America, Silicon Valley Bank, and Goldman Sachs. ¹⁰

The organization’s listed partner foundations include the Bank of America Foundation, Marin Community Foundation, and the Peter E. Haas Jr. Family Fund. ¹¹

In October 2025, it was reported that 10,000 Degrees had received a $42 million grant donation from MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, through her philanthropic vehicle Yield Giving. ¹²

Financials

According to its 2023 tax filings, 10,000 Degrees reported a revenue of $15,702,269, of which over $14 million came from grants and contributions. It also reported expenses of $20,758,319 and net assets of $20,101,304 from that year. ¹³

1. “10,000 Degrees – College Graduates Who Change the World.” 10,000 Degrees. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://10000degrees.org/about-us/. 
2. “School Partners.” 10,000 Degrees. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://10000degrees.org/partners/school-partners/. 
3. “10,000 Degrees – About Us” 10,000 Degrees. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://10000degrees.org/about-us/. 
4. “Scholarship Partners for Bay Area Students.” 10,000 Degrees. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://10000degrees.org/partners/scholarship-partners/. 
5. “History – 10,000 Degrees.” Your Support Makes an Impact. March 9, 2025. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://10000degrees.org/history/. 
6. “History – 10,000 Degrees.” Your Support Makes an Impact. March 9, 2025. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://10000degrees.org/history/. 
7. “10,000 Degrees – Discover 10,000 Degrees Success Metrics and Our Programs.” 10,000 Degrees Accessed March 9, 2026. https://10000degrees.org/our-impact/. 
8. “10,000 Degrees – Discover 10,000 Degrees Success Metrics and Our Programs.” 10,000 Degrees Accessed March 9, 2026. https://10000degrees.org/our-impact/. 
9. “10,000 Degrees – About Us” 10,000 Degrees. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://10000degrees.org/about-us/. 
10. “Corporate Partners.” 10,000 Degrees. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://10000degrees.org/partners/corporate-partners/. 
11. “Foundation Partners.” 10,000 Degrees. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://10000degrees.org/partners/foundation-partners/. 
12. Castillo, Amanda del. “Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott donates $42 million to Bay Area nonprofit for low-income students.” ABC7 San Francisco. October 10, 2025. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://abc7news.com/post/mackenzie-scott-yield-giving-donate-42-million-bay-area-nonprofit-10000-degrees-fund-scholarships-low-income-students/17972613/. 
13. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). 10,000 Degrees. 2023. Part I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/953667812/202531339349308488/full