Horizons Regional Grants

Supporting local partnerships to expand pathways from high school to college and careers

Our Horizons Regional Grant Program, launched in 2024, is supporting four regional partnerships across Washington state that are ready to expand programs to help more students successfully transition from high school into postsecondary education—whether that's an apprenticeship, career certificate, or two- or four-year degree program.

The Gates Foundation is providing $19 million in grant funding and technical assistance over four years to help these partnerships implement and scale proven strategies that connect students to the opportunities they need to design the future they want.

Each Horizons region features a "backbone" organization—an educational service district (ESD) or nonprofit—that coordinates the partnership. Other partners include K-12 school districts, higher education institutions, and workforce, government, and community-based organizations working together to create clear pathways for students.

What Makes Horizons Different

Locally led solutions
We're investing in the schools, colleges, and organizations that know their communities best. Each region has the flexibility to explore solutions informed by local student needs and job opportunities.
Focus on reducing barriers
While Horizons partnerships work to support all high school students in their region, they have a particular focus on students who face the most significant barriers to opportunity—including students from rural and low-income backgrounds, and Black, Latino, and Indigenous students.
Evidence-based strategies
All regions prioritize high-quality college and career advising, FAFSA/WASFA completion support, and expanded dual credit opportunities—strategies proven to increase postsecondary enrollment.
Technical assistance and learning
In addition to grant funding, each partnership receives ongoing support to strengthen their advising programs, measure impact, and build data capacity to continuously improve their work.

Year one results

In their first year of implementation, Horizons partnerships are already making a difference for thousands of students:

54%

FAFSA completion across Horizons regions—six points higher than the state average

5,000+

students received one-on-one college and career advising

2,500+

students attended college visits, career site visits, or industry engagement events

10 - point

program-wide increase in FAFSA completion from 2024 to 2025

ESD 112 Postsecondary Readiness Partnership Southwest Washington

Backbone organization: Educational Service District 112

Region served: 14 rural school districts across Southwest Washington, from the Pacific Coast to the Columbia River Gorge

Key partners: Ocean Beach, Naselle-Grays River Valley, Wahkiakum, Castle Rock, Toutle Lake, Kalama, Hockinson, Trout Lake, Glenwood, Stevenson-Carson, White Salmon Valley, Klickitat, Lyle, and Wishram school districts; WSU Vancouver, Lower Columbia College, and Clark College; workforce partners, economic development councils, and community-based organizations.

What they're doing: For over 50 years, ESD 112 has enhanced educational equity and opportunities in Southwest Washington, serving over 99,000 K-12 students across 30 public districts. Through Horizons, ESD 112 is placing College and Career Readiness Advisors in each partner school district to work directly with students on career exploration, financial aid literacy, and postsecondary planning.

Year One highlights:

  • 70% of seniors received one-on-one advising

  • FAFSA completion rose 8 points to 42%

  • 30+ new dual credit options introduced

  • Latino student FAFSA growth: +11% over two years

Learn more about ESD 112's work

 

Elevate / United Way of the Blue Mountains
Blue Mountains Region

Backbone organization: United Way of the Blue Mountains

Region served: Columbia and Walla Walla counties

Key partners: College Place, Dayton, Prescott, and Walla Walla school districts; Walla Walla Community College and Whitman College; ESD 123; Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce; Communities in Schools of the Blue Mountain Region; Port of Columbia.

What they're doing: Elevate's mission is to improve educational alignment from cradle to career development. Under Horizons, they're enhancing supports for students and parents, improving postsecondary pathways, and establishing networks of internships, apprenticeships, and workforce mentors to empower students with real-world experience.

Year One highlights:

  • Served 834 students (55% Latino, 65% low-income)

  • FAFSA completion increased from 39% to 48%

  • 85% of students identified a postsecondary plan

  • Launched Academia Familiar to engage Latino families

  • College Place made financial aid completion a graduation requirement

Learn more about Elevate's work

 

Puget Sound ESD / South King County Partnership
South King County

Backbone organization: Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD)

Region served: Highline, Federal Way, and Tukwila school districts

Key partners: Highline College; Becoming a Man; College Possible; Communities In Schools

What they're doing: As one of nine regional educational agencies in Washington, PSESD provides instructional and administrative support to PreK-12 schools and direct service to students and families. Through Horizons, PSESD is expanding programs grounded in culturally responsive advising practices that reduce historical educational inequities and help students transition from high school into postsecondary education.

Year One highlights:

  • FAFSA completion increased from 50% to 60%

  • Black students: 72% FAFSA completion (17 points above state average)

  • Latino students: 50% completion

  • Low-income students: 60% completion

  • Highline College shifted admissions timelines to better support students

Learn more about PSESD

 

PREP (Postsecondary Regional Equity on the Peninsula)
Olympic & Kitsap Peninsulas

Backbone organization: West Sound STEM Network

Region served: 15 school districts and Tribal schools across Clallam, Jefferson, Mason, and Kitsap counties on the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas

Key partners: Cape Flattery, Quileute Tribal, Suquamish Tribal Education Department, Crescent, Sequim, Port Angeles, Port Townsend, Quilcene, Brinnon, Quillayute Valley, North Kitsap, Bainbridge Island, South Kitsap, Central Kitsap, and North Mason school districts; Peninsula College and Western Washington University; College Success Foundation; economic development agencies; workforce partners; community-based organizations

What they're doing: PREP is expanding postsecondary advising and mentoring for rural and Tribal students, increasing financial aid application completion, strengthening transition support services, and providing high-demand industry education opportunities.

Year One highlights:

  • FAFSA completion increased from 31% to 45% (14-point gain)

  • Indigenous students: 53% completion (20 points above state average)

  • 1,500+ students received enhanced advising support

  • 800+ students participated in career field trips and college fairs

  • Launched new dual credit courses in biomedical sciences, culinary arts, and horticulture

Learn more about PREP's work

Technical assistance support

In addition to grant funding, each Horizons partnership receives ongoing technical assistance to strengthen their work and measure their impact:

Washington STEM

Serves as the Horizons partnership manager and provides technical assistance around data and partnership capacity-building to support each region's efforts.
Learn more

College Access

Offers expertise in high-quality advising solutions.
Learn more

Scholar Fund

Provides guidance on continuous improvement and student voice best practices.
Learn more

Sankofa Consulting

Leads measurement, learning, and evaluation efforts.
Learn more

These technical assistance providers help regions access, analyze, and apply data so they can continuously refine programs to meet student needs and share promising practices statewide.

Looking ahead

The first-year results demonstrate what's possible when local leadership, effective advising, and student-centered collaboration come together. As Horizons enters its second year, partnerships are focused on:

  • Scaling high-quality advising with sustainable staffing models

  • Deepening dual credit alignment to ensure equitable access

  • Building robust regional data systems that inform strategy in real time

  • Embedding successful practices into district and institutional policies that last beyond grant funding

Place matters—and with the right tools, people, and approach, systems can change.

Explore More Education Initiatives