WOW! Moments in Action: 30 Years of Community Partnerships at Citizen Schools
As Citizen Schools celebrates its 30th anniversary, we honor the incredible community partnerships that have been instrumental in bringing our mission to life. Over the past three decades, collaborations with organizations like Google, Bank of America, and Morgan Stanley have created countless WOW! moments—transformative experiences where students showcase their learning and growth.
Google: Inspiring Future Innovators
Since 2006, Google has been a steadfast partner, contributing over $1 million in grants and supporting hundreds of Googlers to volunteer in our communities and schools. These volunteers helped lead 100+ student projects, impacting thousands of students from the Bay Area to NYC. From coding workshops to robotics projects, Google's involvement opened doors for students to explore STEM fields and envision futures in technology.
Claire Hughes Johnson, former Vice President at Google, encapsulated the spirit of the partnership:
“We are so thankful to the hundreds of Googlers who have joined our mission and inspired students to explore what excites them and dream of what their futures could look like.”
Bank of America: Building Financial Confidence and Community Connections
Bank of America has played a pivotal role in expanding Citizen Schools' reach and impacting what our program model looks like today, committing $1 million to support national expansion and providing local grants in Massachusetts, New York, and North Carolina. Their volunteers have led financial literacy projects, helping students grasp essential money management skills and build confidence in their financial futures.
Over the years, Bank of America has been a cornerstone community partner of Citizen Schools—fueling hands-on learning through both financial support and employee engagement. From supporting our national expansion with over $1 million in grants to leading local financial literacy workshops, Bank of America has consistently helped open up a world of opportunities for students across Massachusetts, New York, and North Carolina.
Through immersive WOW! events, their volunteers have guided students in managing budgets, understanding credit, and envisioning their future financial well-being. These sessions didn’t just teach numbers—they built confidence, critical thinking, and real-world application skills, all culminating in student-led presentations that made both peers and mentors say, “WOW!”
A long-standing board member, Lynn Wiatrowski, former Managing Director at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, reflects the heart of the partnership:
“Citizen Schools helps students connect what they’re learning in the classroom to the real world. At Bank of America, we believe in helping young people build financial know-how and confidence early—and we’ve seen firsthand how these WOW! experiences light that spark.”
Their belief in deeper community impact also led to Citizen Schools being named a Neighborhood Builder, an honor that came with a $200,000 investment and recognition of our aligned missions to uplift youth and drive local change.
This partnership is a model for how corporations can embed themselves in student success—not just as funders, but as co-educators, mentors, and champions of transformative learning.
Morgan Stanley: Investing in Futures—One WOW at a Time
For decades, Morgan Stanley has exemplified what it means to be a committed and purpose-driven community partner. From leading financial literacy apprenticeships to guiding students through real-world scenarios like the “Game of Life: Middle School Edition,” Morgan Stanley volunteers have been instrumental in helping young people understand how today’s decisions shape tomorrow’s opportunities.
Their approach is immersive, hands-on, and always student-centered—translating abstract concepts like budgeting, career planning, and long-term goal setting into WOW! moments of clarity, confidence, and empowerment.
And this year, Morgan Stanley deepened its legacy of impact.
In the 2024–2025 school year, Morgan Stanley proudly served as Citizen Schools’ top corporate community partner, providing unmatched support for the entire slate of student projects at the Shore Educational Collaborative in Massachusetts. Their employees didn't just participate—they coached, encouraged, and celebrated students every step of the way, from the first brainstorm to the final showcase. The result? A resounding series of WOW!s that left educators, families, and corporate volunteers in awe.
One Morgan Stanley volunteer shared:
“I thought I was coming in to teach students, but I ended up learning just as much from them. Their curiosity, creativity, and drive blew me away. It was an honor to support them through their WOW! projects.”
This partnership reflects Morgan Stanley’s broader commitment to youth development and educational equity, showing that when corporations invest in community in a meaningful way, the impact is lasting—for students and mentors alike. Through their continued engagement, Morgan Stanley has helped shape hundreds of future leaders, thinkers, and changemakers.
As we celebrate 30 years of Citizen Schools, we proudly recognize Morgan Stanley not just as a partner, but as a pillar of our mission. Their example sets the gold standard for what community partnership can look like when it’s done with heart, humility, and a shared vision for student success.
Celebrating 30 Years of Impact
These partnerships exemplify the collective effort required to provide students with enriching, hands-on learning experiences. As we reflect on 30 years of Citizen Schools, we're reminded that it's the dedication of our community partners that transforms classrooms and empowers students to reach their full potential.
To all our partners, past and present, thank you for being an integral part of our journey. Here's to continuing to create WOW! moments together.
Interested in joining our community of partners? Learn more about how your organization can make a difference at citizenschools.org/partner.