At Barrier Breakers®, we’ve already supported over 7,000 students on their journeys to higher education, helping them secure over $490 million in scholarships. With 95% of our students identifying as first-generation, we know firsthand the transformative power of access, opportunity, and personalized guidance.

Now, we’re launching The 100 Futures Initiative—a multi-year mission to provide free, high-touch resources to 100 first-generation, low-income students annually by 2027. In 2025, your support is critical as we lay the groundwork to expand our reach and serve 50-75 students, ensuring they not only access higher education but succeed all the way through graduation and into their careers.

Why It Matters

For many first-generation and low-income students, navigating the college and law school admissions process is overwhelming. Without personalized guidance, they face barriers that can derail their dreams.

We provide one-on-one admissions advising with current and former deans, professional private counselors, and expert writers to low-income students at no cost. This personalized support increases their chances of attending schools that change the trajectory of their lives—and their communities.

📊 Our Results:

90% of college applicants receive at least one merit scholarship
95% get into one of their top 3 college choices
54% of law school applicants are admitted to a Top 14 law school
66% receive at least a half-tuition scholarship, and 34% receive full-tuition scholarships

These students aren’t just getting into schools—they’re breaking generational cycles and proving what’s possible.

How You Can Make a Difference

In 2025, we’re expanding our impact by:

Growing Pro Bono Programs: Supporting students in Trenton, NJ; Philadelphia, PA; Chicago, IL; Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, FL; and the DC/Maryland area while continuing nationwide efforts.
Scaling the Outreach & Wellness Program: Providing semester check-ins and mentorship for 300+ students to ensure academic, emotional, and financial success.
Sponsoring Free Content and Events: Reaching thousands of students through podcasts, webinars, and the Break into Law conference.

Your Gift Changes Lives

$100 = One year of mentorship for a student
$1,600 (or $134/month) = Supports a law school applicant through graduation (4 years)
$2,400 (or $200/month) = Supports a college applicant through graduation (6-7 years)

Tiered Fundraising Goals for 2025

We’ve set clear milestones to ensure we build toward the larger vision:

Base Goal: $70,000 – Serve 30 students with free, high-touch support.
Stretch Goal: $120,000 – Serve 50 students and expand key programs.
Ultimate Goal: $180,000 – Serve 75 students, expand programs, and build infrastructure for future growth.

Your Support Powers the Vision

Together, we can lay the foundation for The 100 Futures Initiative and create brighter futures for first-generation students. Your gift today doesn’t just change lives—it inspires partnerships and corporate grant funding to help us reach even more students tomorrow.

📢 Donate today to join us in breaking barriers and building futures.

Thank you for being part of this mission. Let’s make 2025 a transformative year for the students who need us most.

Together, we can break barriers and transform futures.

Have questions? Don't hesitate to reach out to us at hello@barrier-breakers.org! You can also learn more about our work and how to get involved with us on our website.

Barrier Breakers® was started by our founder, Sydney Montgomery, a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School and the first lawyer in her family. She pivoted from practicing law to educational consulting full-time in 2020 and transitioned the company to a non-profit at the end of 2022 so that she could expand her support to first-generation and marginalized students like her.

Free-high touch admissions advising and mentorship for first-generation and low-income students

By Barrier Breakers, Inc.

Free-high touch admissions advising and mentorship for first-generation and low-income students

The 100 Futures Initiative—a multi-year mission to provide free, high-touch resources to 100 first-generation, low-income students annually by 2027