In 1981, Judy Edgar, chair of the Marin Community College Board of Trustees, was asked to create the first scholarship fund in Marin County. As a former teacher, Edgar was passionate about empowering students through access to education. The Marin Education Foundation was highly impactful, awarding $1.7 million in scholarships in the first three years.

In 1999, Edgar retired and helped hire Kim Mazzuca as president and CEO. As a first-generation college graduate, Kim shared Edgar’s vision of providing educational opportunities to students. Mazzuca was especially passionate about helping underserved students access these opportunities. The organization refocused its mission on serving low-income college-bound seniors, providing them with the resources and opportunities to attend and succeed in college. The organization was rebranded as 10,000 Degrees.

“We wanted our promise to the community to be in our name, and we had already achieved 10,000 graduates. So, the name ‘10,000 Degrees’ was adopted to spark a movement for social change and to symbolize a transformative scale of impact,” says Mazzuca. “It just so happens to also be the temperature of the sun—reflecting the brilliance of our students.”

Today, the organization has lived up to the vision behind its name. Since its founding, 10,000 Degrees has expanded its reach across eight Bay Area counties and into Utah, supporting 80,000 students and awarding more than $113 million in scholarships. The organization’s various programs have empowered thousands of students to succeed in college and beyond, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic background.

One of the most practical ways to prepare students to be successful through and beyond college is the organization’s Money Matters program, which puts on interactive workshops designed to help students manage their finances during college and beyond. The first Money Matters session was launched in July of 2017 at Dominican University. The program was designed to help students navigate the financial aid process and budget during college. It was highly successful, leaving students uplifted and excited about their futures. Later, a second version was added to teach students how to budget their salaries after graduating and entering the workforce. By visiting tables around the room and choosing how much to spend on general monthly expenses such as food, housing, and transportation, students practice weighing their priorities and living within their means.

The program has grown significantly over the years. In 2025, 10,000 Degrees hosted Money Matters workshops at 27 schools across the Bay Area from Napa County to San Mateo County with nearly 3,000 students participating. At these workshops, 445 individuals volunteered across 46 different companies, with Poppy Bank bringing more volunteers than any other organization.

As a community bank, Poppy Bank recognizes that financial knowledge is an essential component of a thriving community, empowering people with the tools to overcome barriers and succeed. Poppy Bank employees enjoy volunteering their time in the Money Matters workshops, engaging with students and teaching them how to budget, write checks, and make informed financial decisions. Poppy Bank has also sponsored 10,000 Degrees’ annual fundraising gala, raising funds for scholarships and to support its various programs.

“For decades we have witnessed what happens when we provide our students from low-income backgrounds with the support, resources, and guidance to earn degrees. They become teachers, healthcare workers, engineers, entrepreneurs, civic leaders, and many of our alumni return to contribute to their own communities,” says Mazzuca. “Higher education doesn’t just impact each individual student—it creates a ripple effect that changes the trajectory of people’s lives for generations to come.”

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