Low-income and first-generation students face long odds on the path to earning a college degree: their graduation rate is just 16% nationwide. CDI provides 270 first-generation high schoolers with the wraparound support they need – from 10th grade through college graduation. It provides comprehensive college advising, individualized test prep, support in identifying "best-fit" schools, negotiation of aid packages, and one-on-one assistance through college that includes wellness counseling. When students are ready to graduate, the Career Mentoring Initiative provides coaching, access to workforce opportunities, and connections to accomplished professionals in their chosen fields. Additionally, the School Support program provides coaching that improves college advising for 3,000 students in Maryland and DC. Each year 100% of CDI scholars are admitted to selective four-year schools with average grants and scholarships of $36,000 – and a 97% graduation rate.

Headquarters: MD-Montgomery County

Where They Operate: DC-Ward 1; DC-Ward 4; MD-Montgomery County

Age Groups Served: Pre-teen/teen (12-17); Young adult (18-24)

Population(s) Served: Low- to Moderate-Income Community Members; Men/Boys; Women/Girls; Students

Schools They Work In: Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS); Albert Einstein High School in Kensington, MD; John F. Kennedy High School in Silver Spring, MD; Paint Branch High School in Burtonsville, MD; Springbrook High School in Silver Spring, MD; Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda, MD; Wheaton High School in Silver Spring, MD; EL Haynes Public Charter School in Washington, D.C.; DC International School in Washington, D.C.


  • CDI Scholars' college acceptance rate:   100%
  • Students served in the CDI College Scholars Program this year:   230
  • High school upperclassmen served by the School Support Program in 2024:   7,800
  • Average increase in SAT scores thanks to the College Scholars Program:   230 SAT points
  • Average of renewable grants and scholarships that CDI Scholars received in 2024:   $44,142

Awards & Recognition

100% of CDI's Scholars have been accepted to 4-year colleges or universities

In 2021 CDI's President and CEO, Amma Felix, was elected to the National Academy of Public Administration as a fellow.

Press

Budget (FY2023)

  • $3 million or higher
  • The current budget for Collegiate Directions is: $1 million to $3 million
  • $500k to $1 million
  • Less than $500k

Catalogue charities range in size from $100,000 to $3 million. This graphic indicates the budget range of the organization featured here. If you see an organizational budget above the $3 million mark, that is because the featured charity has grown in size since it first appeared in the Catalogue. We proudly present on our website the work of these "growth" charities.

About Spur Local

Every year, 190+ local nonprofits (with budgets under $4M) apply to join the Spur Local network. 170+ community volunteers assess these applications for impact. 100% of organizations are site visited and financially reviewed. Finally, 76+ critical, local nonprofits are selected for inclusion in Spur Local's annual print and digital catalog, and enter a four-year partnership with us. Since 2003, we have raised over $65 million for nonprofits across the Greater Washington region. We charge no fees and raise funds separately to support our work.

Spur Local looks to friends like you to keep our services independent and entirely free of charge. Consider a small contribution to Spur Local to cap off your gift and help the causes you care about get the full support they deserve!

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