San Diego Foundation Grants Record $5.5M in Scholarships to 1,400 Students

A Record-Breaking Scholarship Initiative in San Diego

In a powerful display of community commitment to higher education, the San Diego Foundation (SDF) has announced a historic achievement: it has awarded a record-breaking $5.5 million in scholarships to 1,371 local students. Many of these recipients come from low-income backgrounds or are the first in their families to pursue a college education. This milestone was celebrated at SDF’s annual Community Scholarship Celebration, which took place at the San Diego Zoo and brought together over 500 scholarship recipients, their families, and the generous donors who make these opportunities possible.

Notable guests at the event included U.S. Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, California Assemblymember Chris Ward, and Dr. Becky Petitt, Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at UC San Diego, who delivered the keynote address. The celebration highlighted the foundation’s ongoing efforts to support educational equity and ensure that financial barriers do not hinder students from reaching their full potential.

Expanding Access to Higher Education

For the 2025–2026 academic year, SDF awarded 1,678 scholarships through 160 different funds, totaling $5,539,213—surpassing last year’s total by more than half a million dollars. These awards are part of the foundation’s mission to strengthen the region’s talent pipeline, with a focus on high-demand fields such as science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), healthcare, and education.

Among this year’s recipients:

• 74% are first-generation college students
• 92% are considered low- to middle-income
• 42% identified as Latino/a
• 14% identified as U.S.-born Black and/or African American
• 62% were affiliated with college access programs such as AVID, Reality Changers, and TRIO/Upward Bound

Over 4,000 local students submitted applications, including graduating high school seniors, community college and graduate students, and adult learners returning to school.

Personal Stories of Resilience and Hope

For many students, these scholarships represent more than just financial aid—they symbolize hope and opportunity. Sajanah King, a recent graduate of Lincoln High School, shared her journey: “There were moments in high school when I truly didn’t know if I’d make it,” she said. “I faced setbacks, self-doubt, and hard lessons—but I kept going. This scholarship is more than just funding. It’s a reminder that my story isn’t over, and that people believe in where it’s going next.”

King will be attending Morgan State University this fall to study psychology, inspired by the support she received.

Growing Impact Through Donor Support

The scholarships are made possible by 154 charitable funds managed through the San Diego Foundation, making it the largest non-university scholarship provider in the region. Since the program began in 1997, it has awarded over $54 million to more than 15,400 students.

This year also saw significant growth in the National Rainbow College Fund (NRCF), which supports LGBTQ+ and other underrepresented students across California. Thanks to increased support, NRCF tripled its number of scholarships in 2025, helping more students stay focused on their education and future goals.

Dr. Petitt, who serves on the NRCF advisory council, praised SDF’s commitment to equity and inclusion, stating, “By investing in their education and dreams, San Diego Foundation is not only transforming individual futures but also strengthening the fabric of our entire community.”

A Call to Action for the Future

With the San Diego region projected to need 20,000 new skilled workers each year, according to the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation, SDF leaders emphasized that investing in young people is essential for inclusive economic growth.

Anyone interested in creating a scholarship fund to support future students is encouraged to contact Danielle Valenciano, director of the Community Scholarship Program, via email: DanielleV@SDFoundation.org. For more information, visit www.sdfoundation.org.