Our History

OneGoal began over 15 years ago as an afterschool program serving 32 students. Since then, we have expanded our reach to 10 states across the country to become the leader in postsecondary access and success.

2025-Current

OneGoal’s CEO co-chairs a report by the Commission on Purposeful Pathways, addressing the gap students experience between high school, higher education, and employment
OneGoal recognized by The New York Times Communities Fund for the third year in a row
Students impacted to date: 203,000
(Current Students: 11,500)

2024-2025

OneGoal acquires DecidEd, a cutting-edge college affordability tool
OneGoal continues to expand its OneGoal Leadership Network to additional states, further building capacity for postsecondary success
Students impacted to date: 151,000
(Current Fellows: 14,000)

2023-2024

OneGoal expands its OneGoal Leadership Network to support more districts in building capacity for postsecondary success
Through partnerships with postsecondary institutions and community supporters, OneGoal holds Student Summits across the country to expose students to potential postsecondary paths
Fellows: 13,300

2022-2023

OneGoal celebrates 15 years as a leader in postsecondary access and success
The KY Council on Postsecondary Education and the KY Department of Education choose OneGoal to provide postsecondary support to 13 public school districts
Fellows: 15,000

2021-2022

OneGoal launches the OneGoal Leadership Network, a new set of services designed to build district capacity for postsecondary success
The IL State Board of Education chooses OneGoal to provide postsec support through the state
Unprecedented internal and external research studies reaffirm OneGoal’s impact
Fellows: 13,000+

2020-2021

OneGoal’s curriculum transitions online, allowing for the flexibility of diverse classroom settings
OneGoal launches partnerships with districts in Baton Rouge, LA, Kenner, LA, and Elgin, IL
Alumni Robert Emmons and Amber Rodriguez are the first OneGoal Alumni named to our national and Chicago boards respectively, adding student perspective and influencing crucial decision-making
Fellows: 12,500+

2019-2020

OneGoal named Melissa Connelly as its new CEO and Jeff Nelson as Chair of the National board
Look + feel of the organization is updated to better match the vibrancy and aspirations of Fellows
New delivery model prototype is designed and in pilot phase, testing our ability to achieve impact at scale
Fellows: 13,000+

2018-2019

OneGoal aligned on new organizational foundations, including vision, mission, core values and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
Successfully raised $31 million growth campaign to fund Phase III
Fellows: 12,000+

2017-2018

OneGoal celebrates 10 years serving students
OneGoal kicks-off Phase III to transform our program and launch new delivery models to enable us to reach exponential number of students
OneGoal staff reaches nearly 130, with 61% of staff members identifying as people of color
Fellows: 12,000+

2016-2017

OneGoal completes Phase II and the 2017 $15M growth campaign
OneGoal staff reaches 100 staff members with 60% identifying as people of color
OneGoal expands to the California
Fellows: 9,300+

2015-2016

Fellows are invited to the White House to attend the inaugural Beating the Odds Summit
First OneGoal alumnus joins our staff
OneGoal expands to Metro-Atlanta
Fellows: 6,550+

2014-2015

OneGoal expands to Massachusetts
University of Chicago Evaluation on OneGoal is published
President Obama shares the story of OneGoal Fellow, Caleb, and recognizes the impact and potential of OneGoal in his speech on College Opportunity
Fellows: 3,950+

2013-2014

OneGoal begins work on building an organization that embraces diversity and fosters an environment of inclusion
The Michael + Susan Dell Foundation becomes the first national foundation to invests in OneGoal via a multi-year gift
OneGoal expands to New York
Fellows: 3,000+

2012-2013

Urban Students Empowered becomes OneGoal
OneGoal expands to Texas
How Children Succeed by NY Times author Paul Tough hits the stands and features OneGoal as an example of an intervention that successfully helps students build non-cognitive skills
Fellows: 1,900+

2011-2012

A Better Chicago becomes the first venture philanthropy firm to invest in US Empowered’s Chicago-focused work, and US Empowered joins its grantee portfolio as one of the firm’s first three investments
The office moves to 215 W. Superior, allowing for expansion
Fellows: 1,400+

2010-2011

In August, NBA superstar Dwyane Wade and four of President Obama’s closest friends and basketball buddies, play ball at the East Bank Club with US Empowered supporters and students
Marty Nesbitt addresses the incoming college graduating Class of 2016 at an annual Launch Conference a UIC
Fellows: 500+

2009-2010

US Empowered pilots our in-school program model, moving from our original after-school approach in order to serve more students and schools
Fellows: 200+

2008-2009

US Empowered partners with Northwestern University’s Chicago Field Studies program to recruit extra manpower/interns to augment our growing movement
US Empowered hosts our first Graduation Gala at the University Club of Chicago
Fellows: 90+

2007-2008

OneGoal starts as an afterschool program called Urban Students Empowered (US Empowered) in Dunbar High School in Chicago
The office is “headquartered” at a Caribou Coffee in downtown Chicago
Fellows: 32