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About the Hispanic College Fund

Founded in 1993, the Hispanic College Fund is a national non-profit organization based in Washington D.C. whose mission is to develop the next generation of Hispanic professionals. For 16 years the Hispanic College Fund has provided educational, scholarship, and mentoring programs to students throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, establishing a pipeline of talented and career-driven Hispanics who are trained in the fields of business, science, technology, and math.

Community and corporate partners have been key to the success of Hispanic College Fund programming. In regions nationwide, the Hispanic College Fund partners with community-based groups such as MESA, GEAR UP, and AVID to work with college-aspiring students year-round to encourage college achievement.

The Hispanic College Fund’s corporate partners help provide underserved students with merit- and need-based scholarships, internships, mentors, and jobs. Through these relationships, the Hispanic College Fund has become the premier organization in working with Hispanic students through the high school/college/career trajectory while strengthening workforce diversity by connecting talented students to professional opportunity.

The Hispanic College Fund has an annual budget of $6 million with 20 full-time employees. In 2006 the Hispanic College Fund received the Brillante award for “Nonprofit of the Year” from the National Society of Hispanic MBAs, and in 2007 was recognized by USA Today as one of the nation’s top 25 charities.

Programs

The Fund boasts a number of initiatives designed to impact deserving students at critical stages in their educational career, including:

The Hispanic College Fund Symposium

This initiative is dedicated to creating a pool of Hispanic high school sophomores and juniors who are focused on attending college and securing professional careers. The first program in the initiative is a youth symposium, during which 100-200 students travel to a local college campus for a three-night, four-day program. This high-energy event allows the students to develop a network of like-minded peers, connect with role models and mentors, learn about the resources that will earn them a seat in college, compete for scholarships, and develop a long-term career vision. Participation in the symposium only requires a $10 personal investment fee from each student.

More than 100 community volunteers assist with on-site coordination, and local and national businesses provide sponsorships, speakers, mentors, and recruiting opportunities. Admissions representatives from an array of colleges and universities - often including representatives from the Ivy League - present sessions related to college preparation and admission.

Following the symposium, a Hispanic College Fund regional manager works in conjunction with the community to provide ongoing year-round college and career information, tools, and resources to the symposia participants.

In 2010 the Hispanic College Fund Youth Symposium will be offered in eight cities: Fresno, CA, Albuquerque, NM; Baltimore, MD; Richmond, VA; Los Angeles, CA ; Dallas, TX; Phoenix, AZ and Santa Clara, CA.

Scholarships

The Hispanic College Fund awards $2.5 million annually in scholarships to 600 Hispanic students based on financial need and academic merit. In 2009 more than 38,000 students started the online application process.

The Hispanic Professionals Institute

The Hispanic Professionals Institute serves as the bridge from college to career by providing exceptional Hispanic college students with the confidence, exposure, and preparation needed to pursue business and STEM careers. Each year the Hispanic College Fund competitively selects 35 of its scholars from across the country to attend this leadership development program, which takes place in Washington, D.C., during October.

The Hispanic Young Professionals (HYP) program was formalized in 2004 to meet students’ needs for professional and personal development, such as learning how to network, write a resume, dress for an interview, and conduct oneself in a fine dining setting. Now in its fifth year, the Hispanic College Fund has established an intensive series of leadership workshops primarily supported by corporate sponsors who are eager to meet and employ these outstanding scholars.

In 2010, the Hispanic College Fund announced the renaming of the program to the Hispanic Professionals Institute.

Long Term Vision
Beginning in 2009, the Hispanic College Fund will implement a curriculum that is focused on helping students define the value of their degree and think about different career choices, all while learning important life skills. The curriculum will also teach students how to position themselves as leaders not only at work, but also in their communities. This cutting-edge curriculum will provide a structure for growth, making the Hispanic Professionals Institute the premier program for enriching talented Hispanic students who are ready for professional careers.