Through its innovative, dignity-focused funding model, Last Mile addresses critical gaps in the tech talent pipeline, ensuring that students facing financial hardship can complete their degrees and enter the workforce. The unique approach is driving an extraordinary graduation rate of 74%, significantly outpacing the national average. For every $1 invested in a Last Mile graduate, there is a $246 return in net worth gains, increased earnings, and public sector savings—a compelling 246x 10-year social return on investment (sROI)—demonstrating that the Fund is a powerful engine for economic mobility and workforce development.
“The numbers speak for themselves—Last Mile is unlocking the largest untapped pool of tech talent in the US,” said Ruthe Farmer, Founder & CEO of Last Mile Education Fund. “This impact report confirms that financial insecurity should never be a barrier to success, and with continued investment, we can ensure that no high-potential student is lost due to an unexpected financial hurdle.”
“Microsoft believes in the power of inclusive opportunity to drive innovation,” said Vanessa Feliberti Bautista, Corporate Vice President at Microsoft. “Last Mile’s model is not only helping students cross the finish line—it’s unlocking the full potential of the next generation of tech leaders. We are honored to be part of this transformative journey.”
Unlike traditional scholarships that focus on prior performance, Last Mile takes a broad approach, providing small yet transformative financial support to every student with potential to succeed.
Key findings from the Impact Report include:
- In just five years, Last Mile has scaled into a nationwide safety net for tech and engineering college students, supporting nearly 10,000 students and graduates, and distributing over $11 million in funding to students on the brink of dropping out.
- Last Mile’s financial model demonstrates a staggering impact: for every dollar invested, graduates experience significant economic mobility, earning an average of $2.4 million more over their lifetime. The model is backed by robust data and rigorous evaluation, proving its effectiveness in driving long-term economic mobility at scale.
- With an average award of just $2,126, Last Mile achieves a 74% graduation rate and an 11.3x return on income within the first year post-graduation (an average of $32,500), proving that targeted financial support is an effective strategy for unlocking student potential and driving workforce readiness.
- 56% of Last Mile’s students are first-generation college students.
- 60% of Last Mile recipients experience food insecurity, and 30% face housing insecurity, underscoring the urgent need for financial interventions to support the emerging talent pipeline in tech.
- Collaborations with major companies like Microsoft, Applied Materials, and Dow have enabled Last Mile to provide targeted funding that aligns with industry needs and talent demands.
- With a bold vision to support 10,000 students annually, meeting 70% of the total addressable market need each year, Last Mile projects a $3.1 billion increase in earnings, $164 million in net worth growth, and $1.2 billion in government savings, reinforcing the organization’s long-term impact on economic mobility.
Nearly 14,000 aspiring technologists leave college annually due to financial hurdles. As Last Mile sets its sights on scaling to meet this need, the organization calls on industry leaders, policymakers, and philanthropists to reimagine investment strategies to resource the next generation of tech talent. With demand for diverse and skilled professionals at an all-time high, ensuring that financially vulnerable but high-potential students graduate is essential for both economic growth and a representative talent pipeline for tech and tech-enabled industries.
For more information on Last Mile Education Fund and to access the full Five-Year Impact Report, visit LastMile-ed.org/impact.