A network of 8,000+
first-gen graduates
BASTA’s Impact
More than half of recent college graduates are underemployed, and many stay that way for a decade or more.
Lifetime earnings gaps can reach $1.2 million by retirement.
We’re working to rewrite the story
Together, we’re BUILDING ECONOMIC POWER
Aggregate starting salary for all hired fellows
$41,293,538
average starting SALARY
$65,036
BASTA’s growth shows companies want to hire first-gen talent.
And our programs work. We started with 40 participants in 2016 and grew to a projected 13,800 in 2026.
A VIBRANT Community
97%
of Basta fellows are people of color.
are Pell Grant recipients.
88%
93%
are first-gen college students.
OUR FOOTPRINT
79% of Fellows secure employment within 12 months of program completion.
Basta reaches thousands of participants from over 362 universities across 45 states.
