Our Story

Our Mission

Chester County Futures supports and connects students with opportunities, resources and mentorship to empower success in school and post-secondary life.

Our Vision

Every child in Chester County will be prepared for and have access to the education and supports needed to become a self-reliant, productive member of society.

Diversity & Inclusion statement

Chester County Futures applies a lens of diversity, equity and inclusion to provide a culture of belonging, empathy and empowerment to students motivated for post-secondary success. Our goal is to create an environment in which students, staff and stakeholders experience an organization rich with inclusivity, the promotion of equity across all walks

of life and a true sense of belonging in the world. CCF cultivates a safe exchange of ideas, beliefs and perspectives of all students, staff members and members of the community.

Our History

With a small grant from the Nelson Foundation, local philanthropists founded Chester County Futures in 1996 under the Chester County Community Foundation. Our founders realized that the nation’s 28th wealthiest county had pockets of extreme poverty, where students were falling behind. With that grant, Chester County Futures entered Kennett Consolidated School District and Coatesville Area School District with the dream of reaching students greatest need for academic enrichment. Just four years later, the first 13 students in our Passport to College Program graduated from high school. Since then, Chester County Futures has helped over 1,300 students navigate the rigors of high school and college in four different school districts through after-school programming, mentoring and scholarships.

Our programming focuses on preparing students not only for post-secondary school, but also for life after college. Our alumni network continues to grow, as former students rejoin us to support the next generation of students. Chester County Futures continues to stay relevant by adapting to the evolving needs of today’s high school and college students. As academic expectations, technology, and pathways to higher education shift, CCF has strengthened its programs with enhanced mentoring. CCF has truly become a place where learning continues outside the traditional classroom. Through the efforts of our staff, mentors and dedicated donors, we look forward to empowering the students of Chester County through the next 30 years and beyond.

Awards and Accolades

Chester County Futures has been recognized for its contributions to the community through the delivery of our programs.

  • In 2025, CCF reached over $2 million in scholarships awarded to participating Steps 4 Success college students.

  • In 2025, CCF was named an official partner of Vista.Today, and was featured on Coatesville's 19320GO! spotlight series.

  • In 2023, CCF was awarded 2nd place in the “Let’s Talk Allyship” presentation for their cohort.

  • In 2022, CCF was awarded The Corporate Citizenship Award by the Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce.

  • In week 12 of the 2020 season, The Philadelphia Eagles and Philadelphia Insurance Companies spotlighted Chester County Futures as a Community Red Zone Organization recipient who is “making a difference in the Red Zone in our community”. 

  • In 2019, the Philadelphia 76ers Youth Foundation and First Trust Bank presented Chester County Futures as a recipient of the “Game Changer Award” at halftime of the Sixers game. 

  • In 2016, Chester County Futures celebrates its 20th Anniversary, enrolls the 1,000th student in the Passport to College Program, and launches Steps 4 Success – a brand new college bridge program supporting students throughout their undergraduate degree.

  • In 2015 CCF reached over $1 million in scholarships awarded to participating Steps 4 Success college students.

  • In 2013, Chester County Futures is awarded the prestigious Financial Literacy Hero Award by the West Chester Public Library.

  • In 2006, Chester County Futures is named the "Non Profit Business of the Year" by the Great Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce.

  • In 2004, Chester County Futures enrolls its 100th student into the Passport to College Program.