At the San Diego Foundation (SDF) 2025 Scholarships Celebration, held at the San Diego Zoo, more than 500 recipients, families, donors and supporters gathered in joy to celebrate a remarkable class of scholars — students whose drive, talent and resilience reflect the promise of a brighter San Diego.
It was a powerful moment to reflect on how far these young leaders have come and envision how far they’ll go.
This year, the SDF Community Scholarship Program awarded $5.5 million in scholarships to 1,371 students across the region, a new record for the program, which has served as a bridge to higher education for San Diegans farthest from opportunity since 1997.
The program’s continued growth is an extraordinary testament to the generosity of our donors and the power of community-led philanthropy.
From Celebration to Transformation
At the heart of this growth are stories: of students balancing family responsibilities with AP classes, of first-generation college-goers navigating complex financial aid systems and of future engineers, nurses, educators and artists forging new paths for themselves and their communities.
Smiles and camera flashes filled the Zoo’s event lawn as scholarship recipients posed with college pennants, shared their college plans and connected with donors who believe in them.
Who These Scholars Are
The story of this year’s scholarship recipients is also one of representation and regional equity. These figures underscore why investing in students farthest from opportunity is so important.
- 74% are first-generation college students,
- 92% report low-to-middle income status
- 42% identify as Latino/a and 14% as Black or African American
Where They’re Going
These students are preparing to shape our region’s future workforce across high-demand sectors. Among top declared majors are:
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
- Business and Finance
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Education
Students are attending trade schools, universities and graduate programs across the country — each carrying the hopes of their families and the support of a community that believes in their success.
Impact of Donor Support
Behind these scholarship awards are donors committed to expanding opportunity. This year, 160 scholarship funds made these awards possible, continuing a legacy of community philanthropy that has awarded more than $59.5 million to students since the program began nearly 30 years ago.
And the ripple effects will be felt for generations.
“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,” said Dr. Becky Petitt, Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at the University of California, San Diego, who was the keynote speaker at the celebration.
Interested in Supporting Future Students?
As we celebrate this record-breaking year, we’re also looking ahead — committed to growing future leaders by helping all students build a foundation for their future and the future of our home. As part of our Fifty & Forward campaign, we envision a San Diego where every student has access to the education and career of their choosing. By investing in their potential alongside other San Diegans, you’re not only amplifying your impact, you’re strengthening our entire region.
