Rise Together Education Celebrates 10 Years of Supporting Scholars

June 1, 2025 marks 10 years since the very first Palo Alto High School (Paly) student was funded through the efforts of a small group of caring Palo Alto teachers and community members, as part of a grassroots organization that later came to be known as Rise Together Education (RTE). Since then, RTE has given more than $700,000 in scholarship money and countless hours of mentoring support to more than 100 low-income Paly scholars. The organization has grown to include more than 30 part-time volunteers, who are constantly working together to support more than 50 RTE college scholars each year.

The Beginnings

RTE started when Stephanie Estrada, a Paly senior who was occasionally unhoused and took the bus from East Palo Alto to campus, was accepted to San Francisco State (SFSU) in 2015 and was excited to attend. However, even with financial aid, a federal grant, and scholarship money, she still needed roughly $10,000 more in funds. Once Paly staff members heard about her predicament, they set up a GoFundMe account, which quickly helped her raise the money so that she was able to pay her tuition. Given the success of this effort, and a growing awareness of other Paly scholars in the same situation, in November 2015, RTE was officially established as a non-profit organization in Palo Alto, California. RTE’s first full cohort of scholars, in May 2016, consisted of 12 college-bound seniors. Since then, each year between nine and 25 scholars have received scholarship money and support from RTE. To qualify for RTE, students must be considered low-income. According to 2025 scholarship guidelines, low-income families qualify with a reported income of less than $62,000 per year per family of four. RTE scholars attending four-year colleges receive up to $3,500/year and scholars attending two-year colleges receive up to $750/year.

Stephanie went on to earn a bachelor’s and a master's degree in education from SFSU and also served on the Board of Director of RTE for two years.

More Than Just Money

What is unique about RTE is that it offers a program of long-lasting mentorship, rather than just writing checks. The overall mission of RTE is to improve graduation rates by providing both support and financial resources to low-income students. Each scholarship student is paired with a mentor who meets with them several times a year and is available to help them navigate college. RTE currently has nine active mentors, along with 13 community board members and a growing team of RTE alumni advisors. The alumni, who are all now working professionals in their 20s, lead workshops on networking, job searches, life after college, and various other areas of interest for college students.

RTE Success to Date

President of RTE, Tida Violante (Paly Class of 1989), stated, “Rise Together Education was formed as an all-volunteer nonprofit organization in 2015 to support our young Paly graduates who need help obtaining a college degree through scholarships and mentorship. We have been there for our college scholars through the most challenging times, including during and after the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. Our mentors worked to help RTE scholars navigate the very difficult years of 2020, 2021, and 2022. We are now seeing them through college graduation and first career placements. I continue to be impressed by the resilience of our scholars and the ongoing commitment of our leadership and mentors to continue to support our young neighbors through college and beyond.”

After more than 10 years in operation, RTE is proud of its many accomplishments:

  • More than 130 RTE students have received scholarships and mentoring

  • More than $700,000 has been awarded in scholarships

  • Roughly 85% of RTE students are the first in their families to attend college

  • Approximately 90% of those who receive scholarships are students of color

  • RTE students have attended more than 50 different colleges in the United States

  • RTE students have received 43 bachelor’s degrees, with many more expected to graduate in the next year

  • RTE students have an impressive 75% four-year college graduation rate

  • RTE has hosted three “College 101” workshops led by mentors and alumni, and continues to offer several panels and special events each year

  • RTE has received major grants from local community funds, including Palo Alto Weekly Fund, Palo Alto Community Fund, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, and others

  • 98% of funds raised go directly to student scholarships

  • Four outstanding RTE alumni now serve on the RTE board and lead panels for RTE

The Future of Rise Together Education

In the coming years, RTE looks forward to continuing to support cohorts of up to 20 deserving Paly seniors each year. As more RTE students graduate from college, RTE plans to increase alumni involvement by inviting them to serve as advisors and panelists for future RTE students. Given its success to date, RTE will continue to seek out more community partners and donors who will keep RTE running for years to come. For more information on RTE students, leadership, mentoring, or how to donate, visit RTE’s website: https://www.risetogethered.org/

Written by Zoë Norall