$1.6 Million for Everyday Philanthropists

We can all agree that education is a valuable part of any civil society. We can also all agree that in order for the U.S. to be globally competitive, it is in our best interest for our nation's brightest to be able to finance a college education.

What if the brightest came here illegally as a child, has excelled both academically and as a community member, but has no way of securing college financing because they are ineligible for federal financial aid and because many scholarship based organizations are hesitant to award undocumented applicants because of potential negative impact on donors?  Is it still fair that these high achieving, most likely high contributors to our society still deserve a college education?

Four everyday philanthropists think so and have not only raised over $100,000 in funds for these students, but more importantly have persevered in influencing one of our community's highest profile funders to realize the importance of investing in these students is greater than the fear of any negative backlash.  At the annual Community Leaders Luncheon last week, Ron Gallo announced that the Santa Barbara Foundation Board of Trustees voted that documentation need not be considered when determining recipients for their $1.6 million in scholarship dollars.  Ron Gallo said,

"because we realize we are in a worldwide competition for the best workforce in this new global economy, because we believe in investing in all of our best and brightest and we believe that our country is always at its best when it is supporting the next generation [regardless of documentation]."

You can't get more everyday than four childhood friends taking time from their professional careers to found and run Adsum.  Jonathan Wang, Debra Roets, Maritza Mejia-Wilson, and Travis Wilson aren't any more special than you and me, but what they have achieved and will continue to achieve is pretty special.  

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.

Margaret Mead

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/margaretme100502.html#kozy73AHvEUyjsj1.99

Takeaway:

The best take away I can think of for this post is Margret Mead's famous quote:

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that has."

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.

Margaret Mead

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/margaretme100502.html#kozy73AHvEUyjsj1.99