Bottom Line is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1997 that provides personalised, one-on-one advising to help first-generation and low-income students access college affordably, persist through their studies, and graduate career-ready. The organisation operates six regional offices, in Massachusetts, New York City, Chicago, Ohio, Detroit and Houston, and has served more than 7,000 students since its founding.
The organisation's work rests on a substantial evidence base. Its advising model has been validated through randomised controlled trials showing significant increases in degree attainment, and the organisation maintains active capabilities in program evaluation, randomised controlled trials and impact measurement. These disciplines underpin how the effectiveness of its programmes is assessed and refined.
Three core programmes make up its delivery model: College Access, which helps degree-aspiring students from first-generation and low-income backgrounds gain affordable entry to college; College Success, which offers ongoing one-on-one support as students work towards graduation; and Bluprint, the third of its core one-on-one support programmes.
Bottom Line reports a 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator and Platinum status with GuideStar/Candid. Its stated culture emphasises individualised support, a mission-driven focus on first-generation and low-income students, and accountability grounded in evidence.
