Press release: Leading provider of alternative asset management and retirement solutions has awarded IntoUniversity a $250,000 grant from its Apollo Opportunity Foundation.
IntoUniversity, one of the UK’s leading social mobility charities supporting underrepresented young people across London and the country in achieving successful educational journeys, has announced the receipt of a $250,000 grant from the Apollo Opportunity Foundation (“AOF”). AOF, which launched in 2022 with a $100 million commitment from Apollo Global Management, seeks to expand opportunity in communities around the globe by deploying capital and by engaging Apollo employees to invest in career education, workforce development and economic empowerment.
The transformational partnership between AOF and IntoUniversity aims to support young people to overcome barriers and ultimately reach their full potential. “We are proud to partner with IntoUniversity as we seek to create meaningful opportunities for young people in the UK. This collaboration embodies our commitment to expand opportunity, drive innovation and foster transformative, sustainable change. We look forward to seeing the positive impact that IntoUniversity will have on the next generation,” said Natalia Tsitoura, Partner at Apollo Global Management.
The partnership between IntoUniversity and the Apollo Opportunity Foundation will offer young people facing disadvantages in London invaluable exposure to the professional world. AOF will enable the delivery of high-impact initiatives to over 1,700 16–18-year-olds across the IntoUniversity network of 12 learning centres in London during the 2024-2025 academic year. This holistic and targeted programme includes in-school workshops, work experience, one-to-one support, mentoring, academic support and Insight Days, all of which will help students attain and prepare for their post-school futures and drive social mobility.
Lauren Coape-Arnold, Global Head of Citizenship at Apollo and the Executive Director of the Apollo Opportunity Foundation, said “AOF looks forward to supporting IntoUniversity’s work to help young people achieve post-secondary success. We are excited to engage our UK colleagues as we help to advance IntoUniversity’s programs focused on our shared mission of career education and workforce development.”
IntoUniversity’s 12 learning centres in London are established, highly effective learning spaces that are delivering vital support to thousands of children living in the capital. These programmes help equip young people with the grades, soft skills and knowledge of higher education and career opportunities they need to find the best route to achieve their aspirations. Of IntoUniversity’s cohort of Year 13 students based in London in the past academic year – 88% progressed on to a positive post-school destination. This included 63% securing a place at university (only 29% of young people on Free School Meals achieve this nationally), 8% of students gained an apprenticeship or entered the world of work, 6% of students are entering Further Education College, 6% of students are applying for a university place the following year, and 5% of students have another positive outcome or were going through clearing. IntoUniversity is providing as much support as possible to the remaining 12% of students who are still deciding on their next steps.
IntoUniversity and AOF will partner closely on a number of initiatives, including student engagement and staff volunteering opportunities beginning in 2025.
‘Apollo Global Management is a company known for its innovation, long-term thinking, and exceptional results – and it has been fantastic to see that two years ago, when the Apollo Opportunity Foundation was formalised, it was forged with the same crucial drivers in place. IntoUniversity’s partnership with the AOF will harness these drivers to create exceptional opportunities for young people navigating the toughest socio-economic challenges in London, leading to long-term, transformative change. IntoUniversity is excited, ready, and immensely grateful for the opportunity to create this city-wide change with the AOF, thank you for choosing to work with us on this incredible programme.’
Oliver Haarmann, Chair of Trustees, IntoUniversity
