STUDENT SUPPORT | Building Little Leaders

Support programs help students build confidence, character, and life skills that set them up for long-term success. Through partnerships with schools and educators, Cities Strong Foundation expands leadership development, mentorship, and reading support across communities.

A key part of this work includes programs like Leader in Me, delivered in partnership with FranklinCovey, which equips students with leadership habits, goal-setting skills, and a strong sense of personal responsibility. Combined with mentorship and literacy support, these programs help students grow academically while building the confidence and resilience needed to thrive.

Every dollar you give is matched 2:1 through a $1M commitment from the State of Utah and $1M from the Kern Family Foundation—tripling the impact of your investment. These funds are helping expand programs into additional schools, deepen implementation, and ensure long-term sustainability.

We intentionally focus these investments in schools within myHometown neighborhoods to strengthen the broader ecosystem of support. By aligning student development with neighborhood hubs, family stabilization efforts, and local partnerships, we help create a connected pathway where students and families are supported both in and out of the classroom.

Cities Strong Foundation supports the coordination, partnerships, and core resources that make this work possible—covering the hard costs that allow schools and partners to focus on delivering high-impact programming.

Your support helps students not only succeed in the classroom, but develop the skills, confidence, and mindset to lead in their communities—and become the next generation of leaders shaping stronger neighborhoods and cities.