San Diego CA— The San Diego Foundation received a $100,000 contribution to the Community Scholars Initiative from the David Malcolm Family Trust. The donation will help 38 first-generation, low-income and underrepresented students with college scholarships and critical wraparound services that bolster academic achievement.
The gift is made possible by San Diego philanthropists David and Annie Malcolm. David, a longtime philanthropist and community advocate in San Diego County, is a former elected official and currently runs and advises companies across the region.
“We are proud to support the Community Scholars Initiative and help dozens of students on their pathway to a diploma,” shared David Malcolm. “By prioritizing both scholarships and wraparound academic support, this initiative prepares the leaders of tomorrow who will guide our region through complex challenges we may face in the future.”
According to research from the Public Policy Institute of California, only a fraction of students in California capable of earning a degree actually do, and students from Latinx, Black and low-income communities are historically underrepresented in higher education. Significant barriers with respect to college readiness, access to college, and college completion continue to lower underrepresented students’ odds of obtaining college degrees relative to their wealthier, well-represented peers. The
Working in partnership with local nonprofits, including Reality Changers, Barrio Logan College Institute, Mana de San Diego and San Diego Urban League, the Community Scholars Initiative provides more San Diego students with equitable opportunity through tools and financial support to accomplish their academic goals.
“In addition to fostering equity of opportunity, CSI supports our economy and the prosperity of our region,” shared Michelle Jaramillo, Director of Education Initiatives at The San Diego Foundation. “Thanks to generous San Diegans like David Malcolm, we are able to prioritize the needs of these students and build a future with every San Diegan in mind.”
The Community Scholars Initiative builds upon the success of the Community Scholarship Program at The San Diego Foundation. The Community Scholarship Program is the largest in the region outside of the university system and provides a variety of scholarships to high school students, current college students, graduate students and adult re-entry students. Since 1997, the program has awarded more than $36 million to thousands of students.
Students who applied for scholarships during the application period ending February 2021 will be eligible for the funds. Scholarship award recipients will be announced this summer.