Bottom Line Awarded the 2020 Evergreen Prize at NCAN's National Conference

Bottom Line received the 2020 Evergreen National Education Prize at NCAN's 2020 National Conference, which was held virtually. This award aims to scale programs that best help youth from low-income backgrounds access and complete college or vocational degrees.

After considering more than 60 applications, the independent judging committee selected three finalists earlier this year: Bottom Line, College Track Colorado, and ScholarMatch. The three finalists then took part in a pitch competition on Sept. 16 during the NCAN conference, "Marching Toward Equity." The third place award went to College Track Colorado, and ScholarMatch took home the second place prize.

Steve Colón, CEO of Bottom Line, accepted the award from Tim Taylor, co-founder and president of America Succeeds and an Evergreen Prize Steering Committee member.

"We are so impressed with the community of organizations supporting low-income and first-generation students on their path to and through college or vocational degrees," says Taylor. "We are excited to support Bottom Line to scale their reach and continue to use the Prize as a vehicle to bring attention to organizations doing great work in the college access space."

The winner of the Evergreen Prize receives $100,000. In addition, the top prize gets support in cultivating relationships with funders and influencers, along with promotional support for their program. Runners-up also receive a monetary prize and promotional support.

In 2018, College Possible won the first-ever Evergreen Prize, followed by College Forward in 2019.

The members of the 2020 Evergreen Prize Judge Committee include:

• Caroline Altman Smith, Deputy Director, Education, The Kresge Foundation
• Richard Braddock, Former CEO, Priceline and FreshDirect
• Kim Cook, Executive Director, National College Attainment Network
• John Deasy, Superintendent, Stockton Unified School District
• Rachel Greenwald, Bestselling author and speaker
• Katherine Haley, Senior Director of K-12 Education Programs, Philanthropy Roundtable
• Dr. John B. King Jr., President and CEO, Ed Trust
• Saskia Levy-Thompson, Program Director, New Designs to Advance Learning
• Gary Z. Linnen, Chief Executive Officer, PeerForward
• Marc Nathanson, Chairman, Mapleton Investments & Co-Chair, Pacific Council on International Policy
• Dan Porterfield, President, Aspen Institute
• Dr. Brooke Stafford-Brizard, Director of Education, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative