Dream It Real initiative expands with increased support for under-resourced students
Coach is reaffirming its commitment to empowering the next generation with a $20 million pledge to fund student scholarships across North America by 2030. The announcement was made during the brand’s annual Dream Day, held at The Shed in New York’s Hudson Yards, where 400 scholarship students gathered for a day of mentorship, storytelling, and celebration. WNBA stars Aneesah Morrow and Kiki Iriafen joined the event, meeting with scholars and emphasizing the power of representation and access.
The new funding will support the Coach Foundation’s Dream It Real program, launched in 2018, which focuses on educational access for under-resourced students. The $20 million commitment will be distributed over the next four years and will help Coach reach its ambitious goal of awarding 10,000 scholarships by 2027, three years ahead of schedule. This marks a major acceleration in Coach’s global giving strategy — increasing the number of annual scholarships by 35 percent, including nearly doubling U.S. recipients from 225 to 425.
Since its launch in 2008, the Coach Foundation has donated over $70 million globally, supporting students in the U.S., U.K., Japan, and China, most of whom come from families with household incomes under $30,000. The impact is clear: 97 percent of Dream It Real scholars are on track to graduate on time, compared to the national average of 21 percent for similar demographics. Many are first-generation college students who graduate with significantly less student debt.
“This investment represents our unwavering commitment to the young people we support,” said Coach CEO Todd Kahn. “These young people are achieving remarkable outcomes, and we’re committed to helping even more realize their potential and shape the future.”
As the fashion industry continues to grapple with its role in shaping a more equitable future, Coach’s expanded investment stands as a powerful model of purpose in practice. This is not just a corporate gesture, it’s a call to action. By committing to access, equity, and education, the brand is cultivating a new generation of thinkers, creators, and leaders who will redefine the future of fashion and beyond.
