Carnegie Corporation of New York Invests $500,000 in NY4ECP to Expand Early College Access Across the State

Written By Jaynie Alexander

The New York Alliance for Early College Pathways (NY4ECP) is proud to announce a $500,000 grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York to support our mission of expanding equitable Early College opportunities across New York.

This two-year grant will accelerate NY4ECP’s efforts to shape enabling policy, grow a powerful statewide coalition, and ensure that more students, particularly low-income, Black, Latinx, and first-generation college-goers, graduate high school with college credit and a clear path to postsecondary success.

New York has long supported Early College through dual enrollment and P-TECH programs, but the state lacks a coherent policy and sustainable funding model. NY4ECP is working to change that. Since launching in Fall 2024, we have already influenced the inclusion of a proposed College in High School Opportunity Fund in the Governor’s Executive Budget. We are engaging partners across sectors to secure long-term policy and regulatory frameworks that ensure quality and equity.

“Early College is a proven pathway to economic mobility,” said the NY4ECP team. “With this grant, we can expand access and elevate the voices of communities who know what students need to succeed.”

NY4ECP is an initiative of Empower Schools, a national nonprofit with a history of incubating and scaling Early College coalitions. With support from Carnegie Corporation, NY4ECP will focus on:

  • Advocating for passage and implementation of the College in High School Opportunity Fund

  • Growing a coalition of more than 100 member organizations

  • Launching an Early College alum policy fellowship to elevate student voices

  • Publishing research and policy briefs to inform and influence state policy

We thank Carnegie Corporation of New York for their investment in the future of New York students and are excited to continue this critical work.

Jaynie Alexander