More than 1,000 San Diego students have something major to celebrate this summer: a record-breaking $5.67 million in college scholarships awarded by the San Diego Foundation. The milestone was recently marked with a celebration honoring the recipients and the community support that made it possible.

The scholarships represent the largest single-year total in the Foundation’s history, reflecting a deep commitment to expanding access to higher education for young people across the region. By investing in local students at this scale, the San Diego Foundation is helping to open doors that might otherwise remain closed — easing the financial burden of college and empowering the next generation of San Diego leaders, professionals, and community contributors.

For the more than 1,000 students who received awards, the scholarships arrive at a pivotal moment — bridging the gap between ambition and opportunity as they prepare to pursue degrees and build their futures. The celebration held in their honor recognized not only their individual achievements but also the collective effort of donors and community partners who contributed to making the record total possible.

The San Diego Foundation has long served as a connector between philanthropic resources and community need, and this year’s scholarship milestone underscores just how much impact that work can have. With college costs continuing to rise, locally funded scholarships like these provide meaningful, direct relief to students and families navigating the path to a degree.

The achievement is a testament to what San Diego’s philanthropic community can accomplish when it rallies around education — and a bright sign of what these 1,000-plus scholars will go on to accomplish in the years ahead.

Sources: San Diego Foundation