EXPERIENCE BREAKTHROUGH THIS SUMMER

Step into the world of Breakthrough and see our mission in action. Tour our programs, volunteer alongside students, and witness how we’re helping young people become first-generation college graduates.

BREAKTHROUGH BENEFIT CONCERT

Join us this fall in the heart of Austin, where Central Texans will unite to make a lasting impact on students in our community!

2024 Impact Report: Just Released

 From first-gen milestones to a brand-new HQ, 2024 was a year of growth, resilience, and community-powered transformation.

We’re proud to share the moments that shaped 2024 — and the incredible students, families, and partners who made it all possible. Read more on our 2024 Impact Report and celebrate what we’ve built together.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Nyja Harris, Huston-Tillotson University

“When people ask me about my Breakthrough experience, I put it simply: Breakthrough shows up. They show up every day, every week, every month, every year. They are like those superhero movies with heroes in costumes walking in slow motion, but they aren’t going to fight some pretend villain. They are real people who show up to help real people like me.”

Breakthrough is the leading college access and success nonprofit in Central Texas.

For more than 20 years, we have 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. We make a radical, long-term commitment to students, to and through college, unlocking the power of education and a lifetime of opportunity. We support the whole student with personalized services, work closely with community partners, campuses, and employers, and advocate for our students with lawmakers.

Nearly 60% of Breakthrough students graduate with a diploma or certificate, compared to 14% of high school graduates from low-income communities in our region.

Class of 2025

Over 90 Breakthrough college grads were honored at Breakthrough’s 2025 Grad Fest. The event celebrated the life-changing achievement each student set out to accomplish back in middle school: to become a first-generation college graduate. Thanks to the generosity of the Breakthrough community, now more than 500 students have walked this path—with thousands more to follow.

A Historic Milestone: Breakthrough’s Schoolwide Program Celebrates First graduating class at Eastside Early College High School (ECHS)

Breakthrough hosted “Your Journey, Your Future,” at Eastside Early College High School (Eastside ECHS) to commemorate the graduation of 146 students from the organization’s Schoolwide Program who receive comprehensive, year-round postsecondary advising. The “Your...

Breakthrough Central Texas and ClassGenius Launch AI Education Partnership at SXSW EDU 2025

Nonprofit Harnesses AI to Enhance Student-Focused STEM Lesson Plans, Maximize Teacher Efficiency Breakthrough Central Texas, Austin’s nonprofit organization helping students become the first in their family to earn a college degree or certificate, and ClassGenius, a...

My Breakthrough Experience: Nyja Harris

I’ve persevered through so many challenges, with the goal of being the first of my family to graduate with a college degree and to build a comfortable life, and Breakthrough was there with me every step of the way. When people ask me about my Breakthrough experience,...

Recap of the 2024 Breakthrough Benefit Concert!

We're still soaking in the memories from last week's Breakthrough Benefit Concert, presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas! It was a night to remember, with Kendra Strange, our Chief Schools Officer, emceeing, remarks by Executive Director Michael Griffith,...

Spotlight: ABJ Women in Business Awards Finalist

A native Austinite and fierce advocate for aspiring first-generation college graduates like herself, Christina became involved with Breakthrough Central Texas in 2014. Her involvement with the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce connected her directly to local communities impacted by the organization, and the organization’s mission of helping students realize postsecondary success so deeply resonated that Christina quickly became a champion for Breakthrough students.