San Diego Giving Stories

San Diego Giving Stories offers a glimpse into the many ways institutional philanthropy is making a difference in our community. This is one in a series of monthly profiles created to share the work of local grantmakers who are investing their resources in our region, and partnering with each other, nonprofits and government to improve our quality of life.

If you have questions about these stories or about philanthropy in San Diego, please contact San Diego Grantmakers.

PROFILE: SIMON FAMILY FOUNDATION

Helping At-Risk Students
Like many scholarship providers, the San Clemente-based Simon Family Foundation (SFF) helps disadvantaged kids achieve the American dream through college education. However, through its Simon Scholars Program, SFF targets students facing additional obstacles: many are first-generation college attendees, and/or children of single parents, incarcerated parents, parents with drug/alcohol problems, immigrant parents, or in the foster care system. Even if these students amass enough money to enter college, research shows they are more likely to drop out. Providing funding isn't enough.

A Different Kind of Scholarship Program
That's why the Simon Scholars Program is different. SFF's president and executive director, Dr. Kathy Simon Abels, used her background in clinical psychology to develop an intensive, mentoring college-prep initiative. First, the foundation works with kids starting at the end of their sophomore year of high school--two years before many other scholarships are awarded. Second, while the program involves financial support in high school and college, it goes far beyond the giving of money.

Simon Scholars receive tutoring, test preparation, and college advising to become competitive applicants. The teens also participate in overnight leadership retreats, etiquette courses, financial literacy training, and cultural events. To create diverse peer support networks, the program enrolls cohorts of 8-10 students a year at each participating "Certified Simon Scholar High School" (locally, Oceanside and El Camino High Schools). Scholars from both Orange County and San Diego bond and network with each other through college tour trips around the state, community service projects, and social events. They also serve as role models in their schools.

Simon Scholars for Life
With this kind of early intervention and encompassing assistance, 90% of Simon Scholars enter college. Many choose UC and CSU schools, but students also attend institutions across the country, including Harvard, Smith, and Boston University. The program's motto is "Real success is about accomplishing what others believe to be impossible." A scholar at UCSD echoes that sentiment, saying "You cannot let your past define your future: the Simon Scholars program is enabling me to achieve my dreams." Even after graduating high school, Simon Scholars stay engaged: they get together during school breaks and holidays, and serve as mentors to younger students in the program. As Dr. Abels says, "They are Simon Scholars for life; it's a forever-family of high-achieving kids."

In recognition of its success, SFF was named 2009 Scholarship Provider of the Year by the National Scholarship Provider Association. The model created by SFF is being used in Simon Scholars chapters in locations like Santa Fe, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C. The Simon Scholars Program has also begun partnering with universities willing to match scholarship dollars.

What Does This Mean About Philanthropy?
Simon Family Foundation's experience shows that philanthropy is about more than money. This family isn't just mailing scholarship checks: they've rolled up their sleeves to get involved in kids' lives, creating a hands-on, long-term program to ensure that at-risk students are eligible to attend college and able to succeed as leaders once on campus. The relationships and skills the students develop are far more important than the funds they receive. As Dr. Abels points out, "Philanthropy is a personal connection that means giving of yourself: your time and expertise, not just your money."

Simon Scholars San Diego Grantmakers
  • A membership association of 90 funders.
  • Our region's central resource for institutional philanthropy.

Our mission is to connect, educate, develop, and inspire a diverse group of foundations and corporations to stimulate effective philanthropy in the San Diego region.

5060 Shoreham Pl, Ste. 350
San Diego, CA 92122

858.875.3333 phone 858.202.1762 fax

www.sdgrantmakers.org

The California Wellness Foundation The James Irvine Foundation Chase
The San Diego Giving Stories project is made possible by the generous support of The California Wellness Foundation, The James Irvine Foundation, and JP Morgan Chase &Co. Global Philanthropy.
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