Merit America 2024 Impact Report
Discover our journey and future in the 2024 Impact Report—how we served 10,000+ learners, drove $1B in alumni wage gains, and where we're headed in our next chapter.
Letter From The Co-CEOs
Dear Friends,
This year, Merit America hit two big milestones: we surpassed our target of serving 10,000 learners in April (reaching 14,000 in December!), and drove $1 billion in estimated alumni wage gains.
Those are big numbers. But their true power lies in the stories behind them. Take Halid: Forced to drop out of college by mounting expenses, Halid juggled multiple minimum-wage jobs just to stay afloat. Because of his persistence and grit, he found Merit America and landed a job as an Integration Specialist with a $77,000 wage gain.
Halid’s story is just one of thousands and a powerful reminder of why we started Merit America seven years ago—to build a pathway to the middle class for the 53 million Americans stuck in low-wage work. In 2024, we focused on refining our model of “tech + touch” and laying the groundwork for our next chapter of growth, all while continuing to deliver transformative results.
We’re proud that our track record and vision have resonated with some of the world’s premier funders and partners:
- We were recognized with significant investments from Blue Meridian Partners and Ascendium Education Group—critical funding for the next phase of our growth.
- Lyft and Instacart joined our network of partners to promote our program to tens of thousands of drivers and shoppers nationwide.
- In partnership with the America’s Frontier Fund Foundation, we launched the Opportunity Coalition to drive upward mobility and bolster America’s leadership in frontier technologies.
Most importantly, we built a strong foundation for the years ahead. Our talented staff and committed learners have proven that Merit America’s model works. Our mission now is to make this opportunity available to tens of thousands of new learners by adding more high-growth career tracks, ensuring our programs stay affordable for learners, and deepening the critical partnerships that make this work possible.
We’re so inspired by our learners, our partners, and our team, and we have never felt closer to a world where anyone, anywhere can advance in life on merit, not money.
Cheers,
Connor & Rebecca
2024 Impact Report Highlights
New Career Tracks: Cybersecurity and Project Management
In 2024, Merit America launched Cybersecurity and Project Management tracks to meet the rising demand for skilled professionals, with plans to expand into Human Resources, Semiconductor & Advanced Manufacturing, and Supply Chain & Logistics in 2025.
First Regional Deep Dive: San Francisco Bay Area
With a $15.6M investment from the Crankstart Foundation, Merit America is scaling its impact in the San Francisco Bay Area, aiming to generate $200M in wage gains and expand career opportunities for residents without college degrees.
Scaling Our Impact: Serving 50,000+ by 2029
Through the Opportunity Coalition, Merit America is tackling workforce shortages in semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, driving $2 billion in wage gains by 2029, and expanding training access nationwide through initiatives like the Central Texas Semiconductor Pilot.