GreenLight Fund Invests $600,000 to Launch Basta’s Career Navigation Model in Philadelphia

Basta’s expansion will enable 11,000 first-generation college students to initiate quality careers in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, PA – March 19, 2026 – Nonprofit funder GreenLight Fund Philadelphia today announced a $600,000 multi-year investment to fund Basta’s expansion to Philadelphia. In partnership with higher education institutions, community-based organizations, and local employers, Basta’s AI-enabled career navigation platform and personalized support will accelerate first-generation college students’ access to great jobs, enabling success in promising careers for young adults who often face barriers to these opportunities. Basta plans to reach 11,000 learners across Philadelphia in the next four years.

“We are investing in a model that responds to community feedback.” said Scott Emerick, Executive Director of GreenLight Fund Philadelphia. “Philadelphians are looking for better and more equitable career opportunities. By combining the power of technology, AI innovation, caring adults and committed employer & postsecondary partners, Basta provides meaningful career advising and preparation that will distribute opportunity more equitably across our City.”

“Philadelphia is home to thousands of ambitious, first-generation students who are ready to lead in today’s economy — what’s been missing is a clear bridge to opportunity,” said Sheila Sarem, Basta CEO and Founder. “As access increasingly depends on who you know, too many talented students are left out. With GreenLight Fund, we’re bringing our AI-powered platform together with the social capital and personalized support students need to access strong first jobs and launch meaningful careers.”

Basta has already seen strong hiring outcomes with Comcast and is in conversation with other local employers as regional momentum continues to build. Basta participants will be well-prepared for internships and entry-level roles across a range of finance, operations, technology and other emerging opportunities in Philly.

“Comcast always seeks people who are ready to excel, and Basta participants have consistently demonstrated that,” shared Jon Schulman, Senior Program Manager at Comcast. “In a rapidly changing job market, preparing students with real-world skills is essential. Basta’s commitment to first-generation student success is clear, and we are proud to partner in expanding opportunity across Philadelphia.”

“Through Basta’s coaching and opportunities to engage with employers, I made connections that led to my role as a software engineer at Comcast. I’m excited for Philadelphia students to have access to that same kind of support and opportunity,” said Dinasty Kelly, Basta Alum and CORE Technology Associate, Comcast.

GreenLight Fund’s community-driven process brings community members, nonprofits, philanthropic organizations, and their Selection Advisory Council together to identify gaps in local services for children and families that, if addressed, could make a measurable difference towards economic mobility. Postsecondary education and career pathways for first-generation students emerged as a clear priority for Philadelphia. Across Philadelphia, the first-generation college student population is growing rapidly with major institutions reporting increased first-gen numbers. After extensively evaluating evidence-based programs across the country, Basta was chosen as the proven, innovative model best positioned to strengthen local efforts and deliver impact. 

Strong existing collective impact work in Philly already helps address educational barriers. For example, the College Access & Success Ecosystem (CASE), stewarded by the Philadelphia Education Fund (PEF) represents critical work for Basta to build on with existing partners. Farah Jimenez, President and CEO of PEF, and Selection Advisory Council member of GreenLight Philadelphia noted, “GreenLight’s process identified an opportunity to strengthen that work, by addressing a critical gap: the challenges facing first-gen college graduates. At a moment when businesses, philanthropy, and education leaders are aligned on the imperative to urgently and dramatically improve economic mobility, we welcome Basta.”

Founded in 2016, Basta closes the employment gap for first-generation students and changes the face of workforce leadership. Basta provides tech-enabled career navigation that combines AI-informed insights with on-demand career readiness resources, personalized career coaching, live virtual workshops, and access to curated roles from Basta’s employer partners. Basta utilizes technology to match promising young professionals to the right employer without forgetting the power of social capital. 

More than 88 higher education institutions and 31 nonprofits nationwide are using Basta’s platform, Discovery. Outcomes for Discovery show students are outpacing national averages for internship and first job attainment. Juniors secure internships at a rate of 41%, compared to 27% for first-gen students nationally, and seniors are reaching the national 12-month degree-aligned job rate of 44% in just 6 months. Basta aims for similar outcomes in Philadelphia.

As Basta takes root in Philadelphia, they will start reaching students in early summer 2026. 

In addition to the multi-year startup capital, GreenLight Fund Philadelphia will also provide strategic on-the-ground support to ensure measurable impact and long term sustainability. GreenLight Fund Philadelphia has invested in bringing The Fountain Fund, Hopeworks, Compass Working Capital, ParentChild+, Center for Employment Opportunities, Year Up United, and Single Stop to Philadelphia.