$500 raised by 4 donors
3% complete
$15,000 Goal
The Dara Ashley Foundation is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to equipping minority college students with the resources, mentorship, and opportunities they need to succeed and lead. Founded in 2020 by educator and social entrepreneur Dara Ashley Freemon, our mission is to dismantle barriers caused by economic inequity, systemic poverty, and limited access to leadership pathways by investing directly in students from historically marginalized communities.
Our work is rooted in three core pillars:
1. Scholarships: We provide financial support to minority college students through need- and merit-based scholarships, ensuring that talented and driven individuals can pursue higher education without the burden of insurmountable costs.
2. Mentorship: Through our structured mentorship program, we pair students with professionals who guide them in their academic, personal, and career development. These one-on-one relationships are transformative, providing students with invaluable social capital.
3. Leadership Development: Our LeadershipU series is an eight-week virtual program designed to help students become visionary leaders and changemakers. This curriculum equips participants with skills in communication, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and social entrepreneurship.
In just four years, The Dara Ashley Foundation has expanded from serving students in 3 states to supporting young leaders across 42 states. We were proud to be recognized as a McDonald’s Future 22 organization in 2022 for our work in advancing racial equity and economic development.
Beyond scholarships and programs, we foster deep community engagement. We host annual block parties, quarterly service events, and in-kind donation drives to keep students supported year-round. Strategic partnerships with organizations like PwC, Covenant House, and Paragon One allow us to provide experiential learning and career access to our scholars.
At The Dara Ashley Foundation, we believe our students don’t just deserve a seat at the table — they deserve the tools to build their own.
Join us in empowering the next generation of Black and Brown leaders.
Our mission is to create a lasting impact with new opportunities for minority college students.
We are seeking funding to expand the number of scholarships awarded to deserving minority college students and to officially launch our LeadershipU program—an intensive, 8-week leadership development series designed to equip students with the skills, confidence, and network needed to thrive academically and professionally. Your support will directly impact our ability to remove financial barriers, foster mentorship connections, and empower future leaders through transformative programming.
The Dara Ashley Foundation is committed to advancing equity by intentionally creating opportunities for historically underserved and underrepresented college students. We believe that talent is universal, but access and opportunity are not. Our work is rooted in dismantling systemic barriers—economic, educational, and social—that disproportionately impact minority communities. Through scholarships, mentorship, and leadership development, we foster inclusive environments where every student has the resources, support, and encouragement to succeed and lead.
Organization name
The Dara Ashley Foundation
Causes
Education - Career Prep
Operating Budget
Less than $100,000
Counties Served
Wise, Tarrant, Somervell, Rockwall, Parker, Palo Pinto, Navarro, Montague, Kaufman, Johnson, Hunt, Hood, Grayson, Fannin, Erath, Ellis, Denton, Dallas, Cooke, Collin
Address
817 CARAWAY LN