The Great Admissions Redesign
Lumina Foundation is seeking to work with states, higher education systems, and groups of colleges and universities ready to transform how potential students apply, enroll, and access their institutions.
Featured Resources
Some highlights of Lumina's work
We're sharing tools and takeaways from our efforts to create a better-educated nation.
A Stronger Nation
We're tracking America's progress toward the nation's 60% attainment goal.
Community College Challenge
The Million Dollar Community College Challenge team is shining a spotlight on the great work of community colleges around the country.
REACH Collaborative
We're supporting community colleges in six states to create short-term credential-to-degree pathways for adults who are Black, Latino, Hispanic, and Native American.
Changing the Narrative on Student Borrowers of Color
A collection of essays from student loan experts sets the record straight on borrowing among students of color.
Community Grants
Our community grants portfolio supports local organizations in our hometown of Indianapolis and around central Indiana.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Hear stories about how HBCU's help students thrive.
Tuition Reimbursement
Meet a few of the workers and employers participating in tuition reimbursement programs.
Lumina Impact Ventures
Lumina Impact Ventures is the Foundation's impact investing arm partnering with mission-aligned social enterprises.
Local Talent Handbook
A guide for local leaders to build talent pool in their communities.
I Want That Job!
A series from WorkingNation on promising career paths for early career workers
History of Federal Student Aid
A film series documenting the policy and the political origins of federal financial aid programs
Beyond Financial Aid
How colleges can strengthen students’ financial stability, leading to higher completion rates
State Strategy Labs
Lumina supports state leaders’ efforts to increase education levels by offering nonpartisan research, data, peer advice, and technical support.
Degree Qualification Profile
A learning-centered framework for what college graduates should know and be able to do to earn the associate, bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Lumina Fact Sheet
March 28, 2025
Lumina Foundation is an independent, private foundation committed to making opportunities for learning beyond high school available to all. We envision a system that is easy to navigate, delivers fair results, and meets the nation’s need for talent through a broad range of credentials. Our goal is to prepare people for informed citizenship and success…
A Cumbersome Enrollment Process Named the Top Challenge to Dual Enrollment in California
March 13, 2023
Dual enrollment is a powerful acceleration strategy for college completion. Students who participate in high-quality dual enrollment while in high school are more likely to graduate, enter college, and persist in college to completion than their peers who don’t, according to multiple studies.
Making Opportunity Real: A Framework for Communicating About Racial Justice
May 9, 2022
This message manual contains research-based language and guidance for anyone communicating about racial equity in education after high school.
Partner communication tipsheet
June 25, 2021
Lumina Foundation believes communication has the power to multiply the effects of grantmaking by sharing data that can drive change. The foundation’s communications team wants to aid our partners by supporting dissemination of lessons from projects.
Race and Racism: Doing Good Better
Dec. 14, 2020
As communicators, our power lies in storytelling. We choose the narratives, messengers, words, and images that persuade people to change their minds or take action. With that power comes a responsibility to resist perpetuating racist systems and to do better. Or, as we say, do good.
Lumina Impact Ventures Brand Guidelines
March 25, 2020
The Lumina Impact Ventures brand guidelines are meant to help anyone who needs to apply the LIV sub-brand to future materials and related web presentations. A PowerPoint template is available that includes all the elements built out using the LIV brand colors, including title slides, dividers, and tables.
Lumina’s Commitment to Racial Justice and Equity
Jan. 8, 2020
The promise of American opportunity has always been in sharp contrast with our nation’s legacy of racial discrimination and oppression. At Lumina Foundation, we pursue racial equity and its foundation of diversity and inclusion to combat systemic patterns of racism that foster injustice.
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Toolkit for Consultants to Grantmakers
June 15, 2019
A concise collection of DEI resources, highlighting areas where many grantmakers often use consultant support.
Lumina brand guidelines
April 6, 2016
A guide for grantees and partners on correct use of Lumina's name, logo and other branding and communications assets.
Are We There Yet?
Dec. 3, 2008
Communications plans for philanthropies that support higher education often begin with news releases and end with the annual report. But simply creating content doesn’t guarantee your work will meet your organization’s needs.
Words that Work
Dec. 11, 2007
Community Benefits Agreements are a powerful new tool being used by organizations working for economic justice.