Squash and Education Alliance (SEA) Partners with Carnegie Corporation of New York, Securing a $650,000 Grant to Support Community Engagement Initiatives and Postsecondary Scholarships.

The Squash and Education Alliance (SEA) is thrilled to announce that Carnegie Corporation of New York has awarded SEA a grant of $650,000. This grant will enable six SEA member organizations to grow their community programming that will impact more than 2,500 young people and adults and more than double SEA’s postsecondary financial aid program. This partnership highlights Carnegie’s commitment to advancing educational opportunities and fostering community engagement.

Carnegie Community Engagement Initiative
The Carnegie Community Engagement Initiative will enable six SEA member organizations to launch or significantly enhance their community outreach programming and services, more than doubling the number of individuals impacted annually by the SEA network, from 2,500 to 5,000 children and adults.

Six grants, ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 and totalling $450,000, will be made through SEA to Chicago’s MetroSquash, Racquet Up Detroit, Pittsburgh’s Steel City Squash, Philadelphia’s SquashSmarts, New York City’s StreetSquash, and Wilmington’s First State Squash.

The grants will introduce impactful initiatives tailored to each organization’s community needs, including College Expos events, public school PE classes, community squash clinics, health and wellness programming, financial planning courses, and more. 

“The Carnegie Community Engagement Initiative is an incredible opportunity for MetroSquash to further advance our mission through community partnerships,” said Executive Director Janae Meyer. “We are grateful to Carnegie Corporation of New York for this award and look forward to introducing new and exciting programming to our ever-expanding community.”

The Carnegie Community Engagement Initiative builds upon SEA’s grantmaking program, which has made over $1 million in grants to SEA member organizations since 2021.

Carnegie Scholarship Program
The $100,000 Carnegie Scholarship Program will support 100 SEA students pursuing a postsecondary education. Carnegie Scholars will receive need-based awards of $1,000 to support their educational journeys. Most scholarships will be made on a matching basis with SEA member organizations doubling the financial aid received by each student. This initiative will not only encourage the pursuit of postsecondary degrees, but also aims to improve college persistence and reduce post-graduation loan burdens. 

Since 2002, nearly 1,800 SEA participants have earned high school diplomas, with 92% pursuing post-secondary education. Of those pursuing bachelor’s degrees, 78% have completed their programs within six years, surpassing the national average of 61% (National Center for Education Statistics). SEA students’ achievements are remarkable, with over one-third attending top 100 colleges or universities, and one-quarter playing college squash. SEA students have matriculated at all eight Ivy League schools, with 18 currently enrolled. 

The Carnegie Scholarships builds upon SEA’s existing scholarship programs, which awards nearly $100,000 to 70 postsecondary students every year.

“We are incredibly excited about and grateful for our partnership with Carnegie,” said Tim Wyant, Executive Director at SEA. “The value for our network of having the backing of one of the world’s most respected foundations cannot be overstated. This grant will have a ripple effect throughout the SEA network, leading to more community programming within our facilities and more financial aid and scholarship support for our hardworking and deserving postsecondary students.” 

“We are proud to partner with SEA to support not only the academic aspirations of their students but also the broader community through the Carnegie Community Engagement Initiative,” said Ambika Kapur, a Program Director in the Education Program at Carnegie Corporation of New York. “This partnership aligns with Carnegie’s mission to empower young people, families, and communities by offering college guidance, financial aid, and community-based services. By investing in both need-based scholarships and community outreach programs, we are committed to enhancing educational access, reducing financial burdens, and fostering social and economic mobility.”

Carnegie Corporation of New York
Carnegie Corporation of New York was established by Andrew Carnegie in 1911 to promote the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding. Today, the foundation works to reduce political polarization through philanthropic support for the issues that Carnegie considered most important: education, democracy, and peace. As of September 30, 2023, the endowment value was $4.1 billion. During fiscal year 2022–2023, more than 300 grants were awarded for a total of over $150 million. @CarnegieCorp

SEA
Founded in 2005, SEA is the umbrella organization and governing body for a network of 21 U.S. member organizations and six international partners that combine squash, academics, mentoring, and college prep support for over 2,500 students from under-resourced communities. 96% of SEA students in the U.S. identify as Black or Latinx, and three out of four participants identify as first-generation college students. 94% of SEA students who stay in their member programs enroll in post-secondary institutions, with over one-third attending top-100 colleges or universities. SEA students have enrolled in all eight Ivy League schools, and 214 students have played on varsity college squash teams.

SEA leads this network by launching new programs, promoting best practices, and providing unique educational and athletic experiences for its network’s students. SEA organizes and operates squash tournaments, camps, educational programs for students, as well as conferences and networking opportunities for staff and board members. SEA also awards nearly $1 million in grants and scholarships to its member programs, helping fund capital projects, academic innovation, squash excellence, community engagement initiatives, and financial aid.