Posse identifies local public high school students with extraordinary academic and leadership potential who might otherwise be overlooked in the college admissions process and places them in multicultural teams (“posses”) of ten that act as support systems on campus and beyond. It expands the pool from which top institutions recruit students, helps create more inclusive campus environments, and ensures that scholars (an astonishing 90%!) persist and graduate so they can take on leadership positions in our diverse nation. Sixty from the DC area are chosen annually and full-tuition, merit-based, leadership scholarships are awarded by partner institutions (Bucknell, Lafayette, Lewis & Clark, Sewanee, University of Rochester, and UW-Madison). Pre-collegiate training prepares students for what lies ahead; an on-campus mentor tracks progress; a career program leads to internships and jobs. Posse invests in what counts: the intelligence, talent, and dreams of young people.

Headquarters: DC-Ward 2

Where They Operate: DC-Citywide; MD-Montgomery County; MD-Prince George's County; VA-Arlington County; VA-Fairfax County; VA-City of Alexandria; VA-City of Fairfax; VA-City of Falls Church

Age Groups Served: Youth (5-11); Pre-teen/teen (12-17); Young adult (18-24); Adult (25-49)

Ethnic Groups Served: African American; Asian American; Caucasian; Latino/Hispanic

Population(s) Served: Low- to Moderate-Income Community Members; Men/Boys; Women/Girls; Students; Low- to Moderate-Income Community Members


  • Persistence and Graduation Rate:   90 percent
  • Scholars selected to attend Posse D.C.'s six partner colleges and universities annually:   60
  • Nominations Posse D.C. receives from public and charter high schools and community based organizations each year. :   More than 1,500
  • Number of Posse D.C. Scholars selected over the past decade:   559
  • Total four-year, full-tuition, merit-based leadership scholarships awarded since 2004:   $73 Million

Awards & Recognition

n/a

Press

Budget (FY2022)

  • $3 million or higher
  • The current budget for Posse DC is: $1 million to $3 million
  • $500k to $1 million
  • Less than $500k

Catalogue charities range in size from $100,000 to $3 million. This graphic indicates the budget range of the organization featured here. If you see an organizational budget above the $3 million mark, that is because the featured charity has grown in size since it first appeared in the Catalogue. We proudly present on our website the work of these "growth" charities.

About Spur Local

Each year 150+ community advocates review applicants on the basis of governance, equity, and impact. Each featured nonprofit has been successfully site visited and its financials given the thumbs up. Spur Local charges no fees and raises funds separately to support its work. Since 2003, it has raised over $57 million for nonprofits across the Greater Washington region.

Spur Local looks to friends like you to keep our services independent and entirely free of charge. Consider a small contribution to Spur Local to cap off your gift and help the causes you care about get the full support they deserve!

If you like Posse DC you might also like



This organization collaborates with