fundraising | ScholarMatch

Liz Gilbert shares advice with our students

by kent | May 3, 2012

Thanks to Elizabeth Gilbert, the bestselling author of Eat, Pray, Love, for stopping by our offices and sitting down for a chat with students Larissa Martinez and Jorge Lopez. They talked about the students’ plans for the future, and Liz gave them the great advice to “follow your bliss.” The video of the conversation will be up soon, so stay tuned! Liz also shared the ScholarMatch story at two Book Passage events for her brand-new revival cookbook, At Home on the Range, which benefits our work and 826 National. Support ScholarMatch students like Larissa and Jorge by picking up your copy today!

Support students with a book signing on April 28!

by kent | April 27, 2012

Don’t miss an exciting chance to get a book signed by best-selling author Elizabeth Gilbert and raise money for ScholarMatch students! Join us at the Book Passage in San Francisco’s Ferry Building from 1PM – 2PM on Saturday, April 28. Pick up a copy of Gilbert’s new revival cookbook At Home on the Range to have it signed, and because proceeds benefits ScholarMatch, you’ll also be helping underesourced students purse their college dreams. As an extra-special bonus, we’ll be at the Book Passage with a student or two, so you can meet some of the amazing young people whose lives you’ll be changing. See you there, and be sure to sign up for our newsletter for more info about upcoming events and touching student stories!

College 101 Workshop Builds Confidence in Families

by kent | November 17, 2011

If your parents didn’t go to college, you would face many difficult questions: Which high school classes will put you on track to get into a good school? How do you navigate the complicated application and financial aid process? How does it actually work once you get in? Many families are in this position, and to support them as early as possible, ScholarMatch held a College 101 workshop in Spanish and English last Wednesday.

Rose Carmona, a seasoned financial aid officer at San Francisco State University, facilitated a workshop on the basics of college, including different types of schools and scholarships, to over a dozen parents and their children. The majority of the families had not heard this type of information prior to the workshop, so everyone was extremely interested in the material, asking many insightful questions.

We designed the workshop for younger students who have not yet entered high school or who just began their freshman year, as well as for parents who were hearing the information for the first time. One parent said of the workshop, “We’re really grateful for your help. We don’t know very much about the college process. These workshops, and your help, make college seem more possible for my daughter.”

Students left feeling relieved about their college concerns, and all of them felt confident about applying to college in the future. We look forward to hosting these families next semester as we continue to bring college to them. If you our your family could use this type of support, or if you know someone who would, get in touch with us to set up an appointment.

ScholarMatch and Nickels for Non-Profits at Whole Foods

by kent | October 4, 2010

Complete your grocery list, protect the environment, AND help out our students all in one shot? Yes, please!

We are excited to announce that ScholarMatch was picked to be part of the Nickels-for-NonProfits program at the Franklin Whole Foods location (1765 California Street at Franklin, San Francisco CA) this fall! For every bag you bring in to bag your groceries, you are eligible to receive a 5¢ refund that can be put toward our organization. So next time you need groceries, please visit the Franklin Whole Foods location. And when you shop, don’t forget to bring in a canvas bag or two, and tell the cashier that you would like your bag credit to go to ScholarMatch!