About
We believe every kid can rise.
The BrightRise Foundation brings free tutoring and mentorship to the kids who need them most: completely free for families, led by verified volunteer mentors, and built to reach far beyond the Bay Area.
The BrightRise Foundation brings free tutoring and mentorship to the kids who need them most: completely free for families, led by verified volunteer mentors, and built to reach far beyond the Bay Area.
Our story
How it all began
The founders
The BrightRise Foundation was founded by a close-knit team of first-generation immigrants who experienced firsthand the challenges of navigating the education system with limited resources and language barriers.
The spark
Seeing younger students in their community face the same hurdles, they decided to take action, offering free tutoring and mentorship to help them succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.
Going further
What began as a few friends and a few sessions in the Bay Area is built to go much further: more tutors, more subjects, and, when funding allows, the school essentials families can’t cover, from school bags and pencils to computers for online sessions.
Our story
How it all began
The founders
The BrightRise Foundation was founded by a close-knit team of first-generation immigrants who experienced firsthand the challenges of navigating the education system with limited resources and language barriers.
The spark
Seeing younger students in their community face the same hurdles, they decided to take action, offering free tutoring and mentorship to help them succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.
Going further
What began as a few friends and a few sessions in the Bay Area is built to go much further: more tutors, more subjects, and, when funding allows, the school essentials families can’t cover, from school bags and pencils to computers for online sessions.
Our story
How it all began
The founders
The BrightRise Foundation was founded by a close-knit team of first-generation immigrants who experienced firsthand the challenges of navigating the education system with limited resources and language barriers.
The spark
Seeing younger students in their community face the same hurdles, they decided to take action, offering free tutoring and mentorship to help them succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.
Going further
What began as a few friends and a few sessions in the Bay Area is built to go much further: more tutors, more subjects, and, when funding allows, the school essentials families can’t cover, from school bags and pencils to computers for online sessions.
What we believe
Help students rise
Free, high-quality tutoring and academic support for students in Grades 1–8, in person and via Zoom.
For volunteers
Share your skills. We invite high schoolers, college students, and professionals to join.
For donors
Help us support tutoring, materials, and tech for kids who need extra help and guidance.
Help students rise
Free, high-quality tutoring and academic support for students in Grades 1–8, in person and via Zoom.
For volunteers
Share your skills. We invite high schoolers, college students, and professionals to join.
For donors
Help us support tutoring, materials, and tech for kids who need extra help and guidance.
The Team
The people behind The BrightRise Foundation
It started with three friends. Here are the people building it now.
The founders
The founders
Angus Wang set out to close the gap in educational opportunity when he helped found The BrightRise Foundation, guided by the belief that quality academic guidance shouldn't be out of reach for any student. As Executive of Financial Operations, he steers the organization's budget and financial planning, raises funds to support the foundation's mission, connects with the community, and works directly with students as a tutor. Beyond his commitment to expanding access to education, Angus enjoys exploring new places and catching up with friends.
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Driven by a passion for educational equity, Aydin Mesic co-founded The BrightRise foundation to ensure every student has access to the high level academic support they deserve. As Executive of Legal Proceedings, he manages operations, leads outreach and serves as one of the foundation’s primary tutors. When he isn’t actively tutoring or working to break down educational barriers, Aydin can usually be found on the volleyball court.
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Somebody has to know which tutor is free on Thursday at four, and whether the student who missed last week has a ride this time. That somebody is Teddy Arnaudov. As Executive of Operations and a co-founder of The BrightRise Foundation, he builds the scheduling, matching, and follow-up systems that turn good intentions into sessions that actually happen, and he tutors on top of it so the systems stay honest. Neither of the things he does outside the work is new. Football has run on two tracks for as long as he can remember, watched and played without much distinction between the two, which is why what he does on the pitch tends to sound like it was picked up somewhere in Spain. His passport is the other hobby. Europe first and repeatedly, the rest of the map on a slow rotation.
Read more
Angus Wang set out to close the gap in educational opportunity when he helped found The BrightRise Foundation, guided by the belief that quality academic guidance shouldn't be out of reach for any student. As Executive of Financial Operations, he steers the organization's budget and financial planning, raises funds to support the foundation's mission, connects with the community, and works directly with students as a tutor. Beyond his commitment to expanding access to education, Angus enjoys exploring new places and catching up with friends.
Read more
Driven by a passion for educational equity, Aydin Mesic co-founded The BrightRise foundation to ensure every student has access to the high level academic support they deserve. As Executive of Legal Proceedings, he manages operations, leads outreach and serves as one of the foundation’s primary tutors. When he isn’t actively tutoring or working to break down educational barriers, Aydin can usually be found on the volleyball court.
Read more
Somebody has to know which tutor is free on Thursday at four, and whether the student who missed last week has a ride this time. That somebody is Teddy Arnaudov. As Executive of Operations and a co-founder of The BrightRise Foundation, he builds the scheduling, matching, and follow-up systems that turn good intentions into sessions that actually happen, and he tutors on top of it so the systems stay honest. Neither of the things he does outside the work is new. Football has run on two tracks for as long as he can remember, watched and played without much distinction between the two, which is why what he does on the pitch tends to sound like it was picked up somewhere in Spain. His passport is the other hobby. Europe first and repeatedly, the rest of the map on a slow rotation.
Read more
Want to join them?
Want to join them?
We're always looking for caring volunteer tutors: high school students, college students, and professionals welcome.
We're always looking for caring volunteer tutors: high school students, college students, and professionals welcome.
The Road Ahead
This is just the beginning
We're young, ambitious, and building fast. Here's where we're going.
Today
Free tutoring and mentorship for families across the Bay Area.
Next year
More tutors, more subjects, and school supplies for every enrolled student.
The future
A globally recognized nonprofit bringing free education support to kids.
Today
Free tutoring and mentorship for families across the Bay Area.
Next year
More tutors, more subjects, and school supplies for every enrolled student.
The future
A globally recognized nonprofit bringing free education support to kids.
There's more than one way to change a child's future
For families
Sign up your elementary or middle school student for free tutoring and support today.
For volunteers
Share your skills. We invite high schoolers, college students, and professionals to join.
For donors
Help us support tutoring, materials, and tech for kids who need extra help and guidance.
For families
Sign up your elementary or middle school student for free tutoring and support today.
For volunteers
Share your skills. We invite high schoolers, college students, and professionals to join.
For donors
Help us support tutoring, materials, and tech for kids who need extra help and guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
This covers everything that parents, volunteers, and donors frequently ask us about, providing comprehensive answers to their most common questions and concerns.
Who started The BrightRise Foundation?
Why is everything free?
Are you a registered nonprofit?
Where do you work?
What’s next for The BrightRise Foundation?
Who started The BrightRise Foundation?
Why is everything free?
Are you a registered nonprofit?
Where do you work?
What’s next for The BrightRise Foundation?
© 2026 The Brightrise Foundation. All rights reserved.
© 2026 The Brightrise Foundation. All rights reserved.
© 2026 The Brightrise Foundation. All rights reserved.
© 2026 The Brightrise Foundation. All rights reserved.