Community supporters of local nonprofit Breakthrough Central Texas gathered with organization staff as well as students and family members served by the organization in celebration of the Breakthrough Benefit Concert, featuring a silent auction, raffle, event-night giving, and a live performance by Swimming with Bears.
Breakthrough alum Nyja Harris shared her journey from sixth grade to college graduation in a keynote speech highlighting the impact of the organization, followed by an inspiring graduation reveal video. Thanks to support from Christie and Clint Bybee and the O'Shaughnessy-Rivers Family Fund, a $75,000 event night matching gift challenge doubled the first $75,000 raised during the evening.
With support from the crowd, combined with sponsorships, ticket sales, raffle, auction, and event night donations, Breakthrough Central Texas raised a total of $500,000 in support of first-generation college graduates.
Breakthrough is the leading college access and success nonprofit in Central Texas. For more than 20 years, the organization has partnered with thousands of middle and high school students who aspire to be the first in their family to graduate with a degree or certificate. Breakthrough students attend more than 60 public schools and persist at nearly 100 colleges and universities. The result is that nearly 60 percent of Breakthrough students graduate from college, compared to 15 percent of low-income students in our region. Learn more about the organization's impact at breakhroughctx.org.
