Our Mission
To combat housing insecurity among need-based HBCU students by providing direct emergency grants and accessible financial literacy education that supports stability during college and beyond.
Our Vision
We envision a future where no HBCU student is forced to choose between their education and stable housing—where financial security is not a privilege, but a foundation for academic success and long-term independence.
Our Story
The Secure Start Project was founded by HBCU students and alumni who witnessed firsthand how housing instability and financial hardship can disrupt a student’s ability to succeed. From missed meals to overdue rent notices, these challenges are far too common—and often invisible.
Though we are just getting started, our purpose is clear: to provide immediate relief when students need it most, while equipping them with the financial knowledge to build lasting stability. We believe secure housing and financial empowerment should be a right—not a privilege—for HBCU students everywhere.
CORE VALUES
Student First
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Relief + Empowerment
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Community-Driven
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Transparency
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Student First • Relief + Empowerment • Community-Driven • Transparency •
Student-First - Every decision we make begins with students in mind. We listen directly to their needs, prioritize their voices in our planning, and work to create solutions that reflect their real experiences — not institutional assumptions.
Relief + Empowerment - Emergency funding is just the beginning. While we meet urgent housing needs in the short term, we pair that support with financial education that equips students with lifelong skills — so the same problem doesn’t happen again.
Community-Driven - We are a grassroots organization built by students, for students — because institutional systems have failed to step up. With little to no support from school administrators or government programs, we believe in the power of collective care: we support us.
Transparency - We’re committed to being clear and accountable with our impact, our funding, and our decisions. Whether you’re a donor, a student, or a partner, you deserve to know exactly how your support is being used — and who it’s helping.