Community impact
Honoring our roots by fostering the future
In 1918, Andrew Carnegie founded TIAA to serve educators, reflecting his belief in the transformative power of education. We honor that mission today by supporting first-generation college students—those whose parents did not graduate from college. By investing in first-gen success, we help ensure higher education remains a powerful driver of opportunity and security.
First-Generation students are changing the landscape of higher education
54%
of today's students are first-generation.1
76%
do not graduate because2 they don't have an adapted support program, which will lower their potential earnings by one third.3
Our aim is to unlock financial security for one million first-gen students by helping more graduate
Access to college
Expose high school students to career options and support the application and financial aid process.
Graduate from college
Guide students over the financial, academic and psychological obstacles to graduation.
Start career and postgraduate studies
Equip first-gen college students with experiences that lead to grad school or the first job after graduation.
Putting our strength behind first-generation success
TIAA’s community impact program is rooted in the belief that education is a powerful engine for opportunity. We partner with colleges, universities, and nonprofits to provide scholarships, mentoring, and institutional support for students whose parents did not graduate from college. Many of these students also come from low-income backgrounds, facing added barriers to college graduation. By investing in them and the institutions that serve them, we help level the playing field, ensuring more learners have the tools they need to succeed and the confidence to keep going.
This work isn’t new to us. It’s a natural extension of a mission we’ve carried since 1918: to serve those who serve others. First-generation students bring determination, perspective, and resilience to the classroom and beyond. When they thrive, campuses flourish and communities grow stronger. That’s why we’re proud to walk alongside them, helping to build not just academic futures, but secure financial ones too.
Thank you all so much for being here today. As you know, we are focused on supporting one million first-generation college students to and through college. So these exam cram kits are a big part of helping them get through their exams. What is really changing the college environment is more first-generation college students on today's college campuses. 80% of those students are not graduating, even after six years. We saw that there were so many ways that we could help these students, that we could help institutions help students. So many of us at TIAA, are first-gen college students ourselves, that really informed the programing that we chose to put in place. Our mission as an organization is to help more Americans retire, and being able to plant the seed early. We just recognize that that's a part of what's setting them on that path to long term financial success. We support first-gen because we are first-gen, right? And I think that's so true. My favorite part about these types of events is that us on the Community Impact team get to see our associates engage, pack the kits, write the notes, and then we get to see them hand delivered to the school. And then of course, having that engagement with the students directly. There's nothing better than that. Those students, I hope that will stay connected to us and still will follow up with us and be able to feel comfortable enough to come back to us and ask for advice again and, stay connected with them going forward. I humbly believe that we've selected a really powerful issue that is arguably an issue of this generation. First-generation college students make up over half of the college students on campus today. Their needs are really different than continuous generation college students, and I'm so thrilled to see the million lives that we're going to affect. TIAA can really step in because of the mission, so it's something special that we can offer that I think is a differentiator for us. At the end of every day, you've done something to create a difference for others and I love the work that we do so much.
Our work in the community speaks to who TIAA is—an organization committed to improve financial security for all through service and philanthropy.”
Showing up in the community
Mentorship and coaching from coast to coast
TIAA is proud to partner with Let’s Get Ready (LGR), the nation's leading student-to-student college coaching organization, serving over 25,000 students annually across the country. LGR's program model is virtual and human-centered, leveraging technology to ensure students in 48 states and 1,800 zip codes have access to the support they need to graduate from college.
Learn more about TIAA partnerships
FirstGen Forward
TIAA supports students at 600 institutions in partnership with the FirstGen Forward Network of schools that make their campuses more inclusive of the needs of First-Gen students.
Scholarship America
For first-generation students in need, TIAA works with renowned non-profit Scholarship America to eliminate financial barriers in the pursuit of a degree.
Swipe Out Hunger
With TIAA’s financial support, Swipe Out Hunger has expanded its First-Generation Student Meal Service and Food Justice programming to 38,000 students at 40 institutions.
NASPA
TIAA works with NASPA to support college student success through emergency aid, funding crucial financial resources directly to students facing unexpected crises.
Let’s Get Ready
TIAA is the financial education sponsor of Let's Get Ready programming that engages 45,000 college students with content that helps them prepare for college, apply to college, and overcome barriers to college graduation.
Junior Achievement
TIAA supports Junior Achievement with funding, board leadership and volunteers for 110,000 students, helping them to explore careers that will align with their future financial goals through various programs.
Bringing our values to life
Integrity in action
TIAA was founded to serve educators with honesty, transparency, and purpose—and that legacy of trust endures. We continue to act in the best interests of those we serve, including first-generation college students who may be navigating life on their own for the first time.
Access and inquiry
We believe everyone deserves the tools to build a secure financial future. That’s why TIAA invests in programs that open doors for deserving students, offering guidance and resources to help them succeed in college and beyond.
Commitment to community
Our mission has always been about more than financial products—it’s about people. From helping educators retire with dignity to empowering the students they inspire, TIAA strengthens communities by showing up where we’re needed most.
Igniting brighter futures
Through our Ignite Career Exploration initiative, we invite students into our offices for an engaging day of exposure and connection, preparing them for careers in financial services and beyond. TIAA volunteers and leaders live our commitment to empowering students' futures, including President & CEO, Thasunda Brown-Duckett, who joined students for a discussion about setting their sights high and betting on themselves.
Employee engagement that makes a difference
At TIAA, giving back is part of who we are. Our employees bring this value to life through meaningful service, generous giving, and deep connections with the communities we serve.
Employee volunteering
TIAA team members volunteer across the country—leading workshops, mentoring students, and supporting local nonprofits. Volunteers can teach financial literacy in person or remotely, offer career advice, and even create care packages for students in need.
Matching programs
Through our employee giving program, TIAA matches associates’ donations to eligible nonprofits and disaster relief organizations—up to $3,500 annually—amplifying the impact of every gift.
Volunteer grants
When TIAA employees volunteer with a nonprofit, they can direct company-sponsored volunteer grants through our Money for Movers and Dollars for Doers giving programs.
2024 community impact results
Together, we’re creating lasting change—one step, one student, one community at a time—towards the goal of one million students.
350
Community service projects
28,000
Associate volunteer hours
380,000
Students impacted
Events and announcements
Creating opportunities for student success
Community impact programs
Find out more about TIAA’s goal to help put one million first-generation college students on a powerful path to economic well-being.
TIAA associate volunteers
TIAA volunteers came together for our back to school initiative to help students prepare for the new school year.
Recognizing our scholars
Be inspired by TIAA’s most recent first-generation scholarship recipients.
1. FirstGen Forward,
2. FirstGen Forward, www.firstgenforward.org
3. Hanson, Melanie. "College Dropout Rates" EducationData.org, 2025-07-07,
This material is for informational or educational purposes only and is not fiduciary investment advice, or a securities, investment strategy, or insurance product recommendation. This material does not consider an individual's own objectives or circumstances which should be the basis of any investment decision.