Des Moines’ ‘I Have a Dream Foundation’ rebrands as ‘By Degrees Foundation’

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After 28 years as an affiliate of the I Have a Dream Foundation, the Des Moines organization has disaffiliated from the national nonprofit and has rebranded as the By Degrees Foundation. The Des Moines foundation in 2014 launched the Dreamer Academy as an all-school program at Findley Elementary School in Des Moines; the program continues for students at Harding Middle School and is now being expanded to North High School. Each Findley student has a college savings account and participates in college visits and other programs as motivation to pursue higher education. About 150 students from selected classes at Moulton, Oakridge and King elementaries have also participated earlier in the program. Ninety-five percent of the earliest students have graduated from high school and about half have gone on to college. “Our new name reinforces our belief that changing the trajectory of a child’s path by a few degrees can have a long-term impact on their future,” said Emily Westergaard, CEO of the By Degrees Foundation. Westergaard said she expects that By Degrees could get enhanced funding support now that it’s an entirely local organization. The nonprofit will get a boost from Gov. Kim Reynolds’ administration — in a separate announcement, Reynolds named By Degrees as one of four organizations that will equally share the proceeds from her inaugural ball on Jan. 19.  To read a Business Record Insider story about the Dreamer Academy, click here.

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