Invest into the Affect

Partnering for Impact: Why The Butterfly Affect Deserves Your Support

A Call to Corporate Sponsors, Grantmakers, and Education Leaders

In Newark, where many students face systemic barriers to higher education success, a powerful shift is happening. One rooted in mindset, mentorship, and meaningful preparation. The Butterfly Affect is a youth development and college navigation initiative that bridges the gap between high school graduation and college completion.

We are redefining what it means to prepare students for college, not just to attend, but to advocate, persist, and graduate. And we’re inviting corporate partners, foundations, and education leaders to help scale this transformative mission.

The Problem: College Enrollment ≠ College Completion

Despite years of investment in college access resources, students in Newark, particularly those in comprehensive public schools continue to fall short in enrollment and college retention. A 2011 study revealed the issue. By 2018, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka publicly acknowledged the need to improve not just enrollment but attainment.

Today, many students report feeling underprepared once they arrive on campus. They lack understanding of how to navigate college systems, access resources, or advocate for themselves. 

Our Model: The Butterfly Affect

We offer a cohort-based, holistic college navigation program for Newark high school students that includes:

• Hands-on college research and exploration

• Campus visits and student-led reflections

• Real talk about financial aid, student support systems, and identity in higher education

• Mentorship, skill-building, and community connection

This is more than a college access program it’s a retention and graduation readiness initiative.

Why Partner With Us?

For Corporate Sponsors:

• Align your brand with educational equity and youth development

• Support workforce readiness by helping students stay the course through college

• Engage employees in meaningful volunteer or mentorship opportunities

• Gain visibility at our student showcase, events, and social campaigns

For Foundations & Grant Funders:

• Invest in a scalable, community-rooted model with strong storytelling and measurable impact

• Address equity gaps in college attainment for low-income, first-generation youth

• Join a movement aligned with national college persistence and social mobility goals

• Support a program co-designed by local educators, students, and advocates

For School Administrators & Education Leaders:

• Bring a complementary, enrichment-focused program to your school

• Collaborate to improve college outcomes for your students

• Gain a partner that centers student voice, self-advocacy, and real-world navigation skills

• Reinforce your college and career readiness goals with culturally responsive content

Year 1 Goals (2025–2026)

• Launch a pilot cohort of 25 students across 2–3 Newark high schools

• Finalize curriculum, host mentorship workshops, and deliver 8–10 week sessions

• Facilitate college visits, financial aid literacy, and student-led presentations

• Collect baseline and post-program data to assess impact

• Host a community showcase and publish an annual impact report

We are seeking $50,000 in funding and in-kind support to fully implement our pilot and build a foundation for multi-year growth.

Let’s Create Change Together

The Butterfly Affect was founded by a Newark native who understands, firsthand, what it feels like to enter college unprepared and what’s possible when the right support systems are in place. Our approach is personal, grounded, and built to last.

We believe that a single student’s mindset shift can spark generational change.
We believe that every investment whether its, dollars, time, talent, can create a ripple effect.
We believe the journey from high school to graduation should not be a leap of faith. It should be a guided path.

If you believe that too, let’s partner.