Page 25 - 2025 February report

Site visit report – Bottom Line
On January 14, 2025, we (Bobby Krause, Lisa Loomis and David Blaikie) visited the Bottom Line organization in Dayton, Ohio.
Bottom Line (BL) “is an organization focused on helping low-income and first-generation students get into and complete college, ultimately preparing them for rewarding careers.” It was founded in 1997. In addition to Dayton, it has programs in Boston, Worcester, Chicago, and New York City. The Dayton BL program is new, with the second cohort of 300 students entering the program in 2025-2026. Bottom Line has made application to JSF for a grant of $100,000 in support of their program in Dayton.
The BL college advising program endeavours to build strong relationships with students by providing individualized one-on-one advice and counselling from a professional advisor beginning in the summer before grade 12. The advice and counselling given aims to help the student navigate the college and financial aid application process. Once admitted to college, students are supported for up to six years
to help them persist through to college graduation. If the student attends a college not supported by BL advisors in person, they can still get advice from advisors on-line.
A peer-reviewed study has established that the program has a measurable and positive impact on student success. It has a college 6-year graduation rate of about 80%.
We met with James Cosby, Executive Director, Emily Broughton, Director of Development and External Relations, and Alexandria Burns, Director of Programs. All three are impressive, well-spoken and informed. Each has a solid educational and work background.
David Blaikie and Bobby Krause visit Dunbar High School in Dayton, Ohio
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