Bridge the Gap, a nonprofit college prep organization, will stop running its after-school and summer programs after the 2026 school year. New organizations are expected to take over as the nonprofit shifts its focus toward in-school academic support rather than extended learning programs. 

The transition will begin in June, with a different provider, an outside organization selected by the Sausalito Marin City School District, running the summer program and a new contractor continuing services in the fall. The school district is selecting a new provider, and Bridge the Gap plans to support the transition to ensure a smooth experience for students and families.

Currently, Bridge the Gap works with about 500 students across Marin County with programs ranging from elementary school to college support.

According to Executive Director of Bridge the Gap Lisa Raffel, the decision was not caused by funding issues, but by a shift in priorities.

“The decision had nothing to do with finances,” Raffel said. “It was about where we can have the greatest impact on our mission.”

That mission, she explained, is centered on helping students succeed academically and ultimately get “to and through college.” In recent years, the organization has expanded its in-school academic intervention programs, which provide targeted support in subjects like reading and math.

Raffel said the decision came down to prioritizing programs that would have the greatest academic impact on students.

“We just couldn’t convince ourselves… if we can’t do it all, we need to do the thing that moves the needle more,” Raffel said.

Although Bridge the Gap will no longer run the after-school and summer programs, Raffel emphasized that students will continue to receive services, including academic support, without interruption.

Alice Hamilton, a sophomore, volunteered last summer at Bridge the Gap and described the experience as hands-on and engaging.

“I worked with pre-K kids and helped them with arts and crafts activities,” Hamilton said, “We made fake paper lamps and read books … it was fun just working with the kids.”

She said that older students had structured academic time, while younger groups focused more on activities with supervision.

Hamilton said she had planned to return this summer but will no longer be able to. She also said that initially she did not fully understand the change.

“I vaguely heard that they were getting a new contractor… I really just hope the program stays the same and the kids still get these opportunities to do everything they did last summer,” Hamilton said.

Raffel said volunteer opportunities may still exist in the future, but the organization is still determining what that will look like.

“We absolutely adore our volunteers,” Raffel said, “We just need time to figure out what that will be.”