Kipp Foundation logo

Ruth and Norman Rales Scholars Program

Kipp Foundation

Foundation Annual College Prep Grants

Funding Amount

$50,000

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Ruth and Norman Rales Scholars Program

Overview: A partnership between the Norman and Ruth Rales Foundation and KIPP Foundation providing KIPP alumni with comprehensive financial and mentorship support to defray college costs and achieve success.

Award Details:

  • Number of Scholars: Up to 50 students selected annually

  • Total Support: $50,000 total over four years

  • Annual Stipend: Varies - stipends for critical expenses and/or last dollar tuition and room & board support

    • Support Provided:

  • Financial support to defray costs of college

  • 1:1 mentorship throughout college

  • Annual summer internship placement support

  • Financial literacy education and budget planning

  • Annual leadership weekend

  • Professional development and networking

    • Geographic Scope: National - multiple KIPP regions including:

  • Texas (Houston, Austin, Dallas, San Antonio)

  • Northern California

  • Southern California

  • Massachusetts

  • New York City

  • DC

  • Atlanta

  • Nashville

  • New Jersey

  • North Carolina

  • Ohio (Columbus)

  • Colorado

  • New Orleans

    • Eligibility:

  • KIPP alumni

  • Current or recent high school graduates

  • U.S. citizens and DACA/Dreamer applicants eligible

    • Status: Program is closed to new applicants. Will only serve the 100 current scholars and no longer recruit new students. Applications started but not submitted before closure are no longer considered.

    About Ruth and Norman Rales:

  • Norman was raised in the Hebrew Orphan Asylum in Harlem during the Great Depression

  • Ruth was raised in Pittsburgh by parents who fled Eastern European pogroms

  • Both valued hard work, generosity, and education

  • Unable to attend college themselves, they believed deeply in excellent education for all children

  • Married in 1948 and dedicated their lives to helping others

  • Their legacy and values live on through the Rales Foundation

    • First Cohort: Joined the program in May 2022

    Program Alignment: One of several KIPP scholarship programs established to support KIPP Foundation's goal of seeing 1,000 alumni in positions of true power and influence by 2040

    How to Apply

    Application Process

    Status: Program is CLOSED to new applications and no longer recruiting new students.

    For Applicants Who Started Applications:

  • Applications that were started but not yet submitted before closure are no longer considered

  • No resubmission necessary for applicants who also applied to Goldberg or Webb programs

  • Goldberg and Webb scholarship programs recommended as alternatives

    • Recommended Next Steps:

  • Apply to Goldberg Scholars Program (available in all regions)

  • Apply to Webb Scholars Program (Northern California only)

  • Apply to other external scholarships such as:

    • - Big Futures
    - UNCF
    - Hispanic Scholarship Fund
    - Fastweb

    For Questions:

  • Contact Jose Mazariegos at jmazariegos@kipp.org

  • Allow 1-2 days for response

  • Also available: School college/guidance counselors or KIPP Forward advisors

    • Apply with Grantable Learn more

    What Kipp Foundation actually gave

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, 2024

    Grants in 2024
    29
    Total given
    $35.58M
    Median grant
    $775K
    Range
    $30K–$4.54M
    • By dollars: California 22%, New York 18%, Texas 9%. Top recipient cities: Newark, NJ; Los Angeles, CA; New York, NY.
    • 0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
    • 3% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.

    Example grants

    • Kipp Southern California Public Schools · Los Angeles, CA

      Academic one kipp initiatives, advocacy and community outreach, postsecondary nudge…

      $4.54M

    • Kipp Nyc Public Schools · New York, NY

      Academic one kipp initiatives, postsecondary collaborative, postsecondary career…

      $3.62M

    • Kipp Northern California Public Schools · Oakland, CA

      Academic one kipp initiatives, principal pipeline & development, executive director…

      $3.24M

    • Kipp Texas Public Schools · Houston, TX

      Academic one kipp initiatives, postsecondary career pathways, student recruitment…

      $3.03M

    • Kipp Capital Region Public Schools (Fka Albany) · Albany, NY

      Academic one kipp initiatives, principal pipeline & development, student recruitment…

      $2.62M

    IRS Form 990-PF, 2024. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    college-prep

    Categories

    Browse similar grants by category

    College Prep Grants

    Related Grants

    Open grants from this funder and similar programs

    Foundation

    Amplify Scholars: The iMentor-KIPP Scholarship Program

    Kipp Foundation

    Amount

    Up to $60,000

    Deadline

    Rolling / Open

    Annual
    Foundation

    Webb Scholars Program

    Kipp Foundation

    Amount

    Up to $60,000

    Deadline

    Rolling / Open

    Annual
    Foundation

    Dave Goldberg Scholars Program

    Kipp Foundation

    Amount

    $60,000

    Deadline

    Rolling / Open

    Annual
    Foundation

    Dreamscape Scholars Program

    Kipp Foundation

    Amount

    $50,000

    Deadline

    Rolling / Open

    Foundation

    Innovative Teacher Mini-Grants

    Redondo Beach Educational Foundation

    Amount

    Varies

    Deadline

    October 17, 2026

    Annual
    Foundation

    Irving Schools Foundation Student Scholarships

    Irving Schools Foundation

    Amount

    Varies

    Deadline

    October 31, 2026

    Annual
    Your AI grants department

    Ready to apply for Ruth and Norman Rales Scholars Program?

    Grantable helps you assess fit, draft narratives, and track deadlines — so you can submit stronger applications, faster.

    Apply with Grantable Learn more