(Winter 2022) – Since SMART was founded in 1997, partnerships with corporations in the Bay Area have been critical to the organization’s growth. Companies like Qatalyst Partners and Sixth Street have long been dedicated to promoting educational equity in the region and supporting SMART Scholars on their journey to college.
Qatalyst Partners
“We appreciate that SMART never stands still as an organization, constantly improving and expanding its services to have a greater impact on the community,” said Jason DiLullo, President of Qatalyst Partners.
The partnership between Qatalyst Partners and SMART started with the firm’s support of an employee volunteer in 2012. Over the last decade, their support has grown in recognition of SMART’s success in breaking down systemic barriers to college and enabling students to achieve their full potential. This year, in support of the SMART’s annual fundraising event, SMART Goes to College, Qatalyst doubled their annual investment to $50,000!
Since Qatalyst Partners was founded in 2008, community engagement has been a core principle of the firm. SMART’s mission of providing greater access to opportunity through education is also consistent with the firm’s belief that achievement should be based on merit and hard work over entitlement.
Sixth Street
Similarly, Sixth Street, a leading global investment firm with its headquarters in San Francisco, believes that talent is distributed equally, but opportunity is not. “SMART’s mission is squarely consistent with our firm’s giving focus on educational access and equity,” says David Stiepleman, Co-President and Co-Founder at Sixth Street. Aiding the community is central to their company culture.
Sixth Street has been supporting SMART since 2016. Not only does the firm support through financial resources, Sixth Street’s team members also commit time and intellectual capital to support SMART’s growth. Mike Muscolino, another of Sixth Street’s co-founders, serves on SMART’s Board of Directors.
Stiepleman says he appreciates SMART’s dedication to Scholars and families from early on in their academic journey to and through college. “SMART puts the students first. It’s an incredibly effective program that’s really centered on the students and their families…Sixth Street is humbled and honored to support SMART’s work and we’re planning to continue our partnership with SMART as long as there is need,” he says.
Sixth Street has been supporting SMART since 2016. Not only does the firm support through financial resources, Sixth Street’s team members also commit time and intellectual capital to support SMART’s growth. Mike Muscolino, another of Sixth Street’s co-founders, serves on SMART’s Board of Directors.
Stiepleman says he appreciates SMART’s dedication to Scholars and families from early on in their academic journey to and through college. “SMART puts the students first. It’s an incredibly effective program that’s really centered on the students and their families…Sixth Street is humbled and honored to support SMART’s work and we’re planning to continue our partnership with SMART as long as there is need,” he says.
