Access Abroad Project Inc.

About the Organization

Organization category

Public Charity

Country / State

United States / Georgia

Mission

Access Abroad Project, Inc. (AAP) is a Georgia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that removes financial and logistical barriers to study abroad, global service, and international internships for underrepresented students. AAP provides direct pre-departure grants and wellness support so students can move from aspiration to action and from local to global. Priority is given to first-generation, low-income, and historically underrepresented students.

Programs or services

The Access Fund — Direct pre-departure grants (up to $750, dependent on funding availability) covering passport fees, visa costs, travel stipends, and emergency support for students studying, serving, or interning abroad.

Globetrotter Goodies — Care packages, send-off kits, and wellness support for students before, during, and after their time abroad. Launching its first student-serving cycle in FY 2026-2027.

Detailed programs

The Access Fund

What it does

The Access Fund provides direct, need-based financial grants that remove the upfront cost barriers standing between students and confirmed international opportunities. Awards of up to $750 (dependent on funding availability) go toward passport fees, visa fees, travel stipends, immunization and required travel documentation costs, and emergency pre-departure expenses. The fund also offers optional pre-departure coaching to help students prepare logistically and personally for their time abroad.

Who it helps

The Access Fund serves college students who have already been accepted into a verified study abroad, global service, or international internship program but face financial or logistical barriers to actually departing. Priority is given to first-generation, low-income, and historically underrepresented students. Applicants must demonstrate documented financial need and confirmed program participation.

How it operates

Students apply during a defined application cycle (AAP is scaling toward two cycles annually for FY 2026-2027). Applications are reviewed against eligibility criteria including financial need, program verification, and departure timeline. Approved students receive their award directly ahead of departure, timed to cover pre-departure costs like passport and visa processing. AAP tracks award amounts, student destinations, and outcomes to report back to donors and funders. Since launching in AAP's first partial fiscal year (FY 2025-2026), the Access Fund has supported 7 students with $4,750 in direct awards across 6 countries, funded by 13 donors.

Globetrotter Goodies

What it does

Globetrotter Goodies provides emotional, cultural, and wellness support to students during their time abroad through care packages, send-off kits, and personalized encouragement. Offerings include standard and premium care packages, themed cultural celebration boxes, emergency comfort kits for students navigating challenges abroad, and handwritten notes of encouragement from volunteers.

Who it helps

Globetrotter Goodies is designed for students who are currently studying, serving, or interning abroad and would benefit from a tangible connection to home. Eligible students include Access Fund recipients as well as other students referred through AAP's outreach who are participating in verified international programs and demonstrate financial need.

How it operates

Volunteers assemble and pack care packages and send-off kits, often through in-person packing events, and include personalized encouragement notes. Packages are shipped to students at key points before and during their time abroad. AAP is also building a small digital peer-support circle (group chat or email) so funded students can stay connected to one another during their programs.

Target Audience

First-generation, low-income, and historically underrepresented college students participating in verified study abroad, global service, or international internship programs.

Geographic Focus

United States

Current projects

Black Philanthropy Month / Give 8/28 Campaign
AAP is participating in Give 8/28, the national Black Philanthropy Month giving day (August 28), pairing it with a Student Spotlight series that features one funded student per week from July 27 through August 24, followed by a dedicated Give Day push on August 28.

Access Fund, FY 2026-2027 Cycle
Building on its inaugural cohort of 7 students, AAP is running its second year of Access Fund grantmaking with a goal of 10-12 students funded and $6,500-$8,000 awarded across 8-10 countries through two application cycles.

Globetrotter Goodies Launch
AAP is preparing to launch its first Globetrotter Goodies cycle in FY 2026-2027, including its first in-person care package packing and letter-writing events.

University and Community Outreach
AAP is expanding relationships with Atlanta-area colleges and universities, HBCU study abroad offices, and community organizations to build referral pipelines for future Access Fund and Globetrotter Goodies applicants.

Organization goals

FY 2026-2027 Program Goals

Fund 10-12 students through The Access Fund, awarding $6,500-$8,000 across 8-10 countries through two application cycles
Launch AAP's first Globetrotter Goodies cycle, delivering 10-15 care packages and send-off kits to students abroad
Document 12-15 student impact stories to strengthen donor and funder engagement

Capacity-Building Goals

Onboard AAP's first part-time Program Coordinator as funding allows
Formalize an online student application and reporting portal
Build a returnee student ambassador pipeline to support future cohorts and peer mentorship
Strengthen impact measurement and reporting systems to prepare for larger institutional grant relationships

Long-Term Vision

Access Abroad Project's long-term goal is to ensure no student is denied a transformative international experience due to financial hardship. Over time, AAP aims to increase the size and number of Access Fund grants, expand Globetrotter Goodies into a sustained wellness program, develop mentorship and alumni networks, and grow into a trusted equity-centered resource for students and the institutions that serve them.

Leadership

Chanterries Roberts, Founder & CEO
Jacqualine Santiago, Treasurer
Nakiea Smith, Secretary

Funding Needs

Grant categories you're seeking

BIPOC, College Scholarship, Education, Financial Assistance, Higher Education, In-Kind Support, International, Operating Support, Students

Funding needs

Program Funding

The Access Fund: Seeking $6,500-$8,000 to fund 10-12 student grants in FY 2026-2027, covering passport fees, visa fees, travel stipends (up to $750 per student, funding-dependent), and emergency pre-departure support.
Globetrotter Goodies: Seeking funding to launch AAP's first program cycle, supporting 10-15 care packages and send-off kits, including packing event costs, shipping, and care package contents.

Operating and Capacity Needs

Staffing: Funding to onboard AAP's first part-time Program Coordinator, supporting application review, student communications, and program administration as AAP scales.
Program Infrastructure: Support to formalize an online student application and reporting portal, replacing manual processes as application volume grows.
General Operating Support: Funding to sustain core administrative costs, donor communications, and outreach as AAP builds toward its second full fiscal year.

In-Kind and Product Donations

AAP also welcomes in-kind support for Globetrotter Goodies care packages, including travel-sized toiletries, snacks, and packing/shipping supplies, as well as products or gift cards suitable for send-off kits.

Website & Social Media