Dear Friend of Girls PREP,
Here's something that stays with us: only 24% of women leaders had formal mentors. Yet when young adults have mentors, they're 130% more likely to hold leadership positions. We see that gap every day, and we're doing something about it.
This Giving Tuesday, you can help us write a different story for young women who are ready to lead—they just need someone who believes in them. This letter shares what we've recently accomplished thanks to charitable giving like yours, and invites you to continue this impact with your donation this Giving Tuesday.
What We've Been Up To
Back in September, we gathered our Protégés at the Mortgage Bankers Association for our Fearless Leadership Summit. It was one of those days where you could feel the energy shift — young women developing their leadership voices, connecting with advisors who got it, and ending the day creating something beautiful together with their hands.
We also kicked off our Mentor Advisory Program that day. Advisors sat down with our girls for real talk about financial literacy and navigating life's curveballs. They worked through goals together, made plans, built connections. Three months later? Our Protégés are still texting us about those conversations.
- 100% of attendees rated their satisfaction 5/5
- 100% found sessions extremely or very relevant
- 100% plan to apply what they learned
One day at the Summit. A lifetime of support ahead.
"Hearing the stories from the panelists and knowing that they have been in our shoes when it comes to financial literacy provided clarity and calmness in knowing that it's okay not to have it all figured out right now, but to set yourself up on a path to progress and move forward and evolve.
— Protégé Summit Attendee
"After today I'm walking away with implementing the Protect/Save/Invest method that we learned. I also have clarity on what I have to spend and an accountability partner in the Mentor Advisor."
— Protégé Summit Attendee
Special Thank You to our Summit Sponsors
Mortgage Bankers Association - Venue & Swag Bags
Kilaria Joy - Custom Girls PREP, Inc Hoodies
Maryland Corporate Photographer - Photography & Videography
Très Creole - Catered Brunch
CenteredSoul Consulting - Leadership Programming & Transportation
Kairos Living Unlimited - Swag Bag Contributor
Hedon State Wine - Swag Bag Contributor
Our Team of Mentor Advisors & Panelists
How We Show Up All Year
Our Mentor Advisory Program brings senior leaders from across the DMV to sit down with our Protégés four times a year. They talk through the real stuff — navigating career decisions, understanding money, figuring out life's transitions. Throughout the year, we also host virtual leadership sessions where our girls dive into Emotional Intelligence, Time Management, Communications, and Networking, led by our Board Members and women who've been exactly where they are.
Then there are the moments we come together in person. Our annual Fearless Leadership Summits and Retreats. Vision Board Brunches where dreams get put on paper. Coffee & Conversations that turn into lifelong friendships. Holiday gatherings. Graduation celebrations where we get to treat our girls to brunch and mentors get to watch them walk across that stage.
And here's something special — two of our Protégés are now our Social Media Interns. They're bringing their own voices to help us reach more young women, learning marketing along the way, and showing other girls what's possible.
The best part? Our Protégés pay nothing. Not to join. Not to participate. Not for any programming. Guests of Protégés are welcome to join events at little to no costs as well. We ask of them to stay engaged, show up fully, and apply the lessons.
What This Actually Looks Like
We've been doing this work since 2009, walking alongside Black and Latina young women as they find their path. Here's what that looks like in real life:
-
98% of our Protégés have graduated college within 4 years
- 100% college completion is our mission — and we're achieving it
- 100% secured internships and jobs with applicable leadership skills
These numbers represent real young women stepping into leadership — in boardrooms, nonprofits, classrooms, hospitals, courtrooms, and communities that need them.
Why We Need You Now
More high school and college-aged women want to join Girls PREP. They're looking for mentorship, leadership development, and connections that help them get past barriers in programs and workplaces.
To meet this moment, we're actively:
- Seeking partnerships with high schools and universities to reach more future Protégés
- Collaborating with corporations for workplace giving campaigns and internship opportunities
- Recruiting new board members for strategic impact
- Ensuring our Protégés can attend all Girls PREP events at little to no cost
- Celebrating our Protégés' milestones — graduations, job offers, and big life moments
But we can only do this with supporters like you.
Our Giving Tuesday Goal: $15,000
This Giving Tuesday, we're asking you to invest in what you already know works — mentorship that changes trajectories, programs that build confidence, and a community that shows up when it matters. Will you help us get there?
Is This Your Type of Investment?
We think so, if you:
- Have a passion for advancing young Black and Latina women's futures, not just academically but through real-life mentorship and leadership development
- Know firsthand what it's like to have (or be) a mentor who changed everything
- Want to help tear down the barriers that keep talented young women on the sidelines
- Understand that investing in young women ages 16-21 creates a ripple effect that transforms families, communities, and industries
Beyond Your Donation
You can also help us by:
- Spreading the word to potential future Protégés who could benefit from our mentorship
- Connecting us with corporations interested in workplace giving, internships, or mentor engagement. Book time to chat via Our Calendly
- Sharing our mission on social media using #GirlsPREP #GivingTuesday #FearlessLeadership #Mentorship
- Joining our board if you're ready to strategically activate on efforts with impact set up time to connect with us via Our Calendly
"I honestly loved the summit — the panelists were everything."
— Protégé Summit Attendee
So we're asking — will you join us?
Every dollar counts toward our $15,000 goal.
Donate now: girlsprepinc.org
Together, we're building something that lasts — one young woman, one mentor, one moment at a time.
With gratitude,
The Girls PREP, Inc. Board Members
