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 15 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; student participants are identified with the help of community-based programs such as AVID and GEAR UP.
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 2008 the Hispanic College Fund Youth Symposium will be offered in seven cities: Fresno, CA, Phoenix, AZ; Albuquerque, NM; Washington, DC; Baltimore, MD; Richmond, VA; and Fairfax, VA. It is expected that the program will expand to Southern California and other regions in 2009.
Scholarships
The Hispanic College Fund awards $2.5 million annually in scholarships to 600 Hispanic students based on financial need and academic merit. In 2008 more than 40,000 students started the online application process.
Latinos on Fast Track (LOFT)
The Latinos on Fast Track (LOFT) program was launched in 2005 by the Hispanic College Fund and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation to identify, prepare and place emerging Latino professionals in major industries as interns and employees. Donors who work with LOFT are given access to a targeted list of notable alumni from the Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards and Hispanic College Fund scholarship recipients.
In addition to matching talent with opportunities, LOFT directors prepare the students with industry-specific training prior to their start employment date to ensure they deliver a high-level of performance. The program administrators subsequently stay in touch with the students as their careers progress.
Hispanic Young Professionals Program
This highly-competitive annual program brings 30-40 Hispanic College Fund scholarship recipients to Washington, DC to participate in an intensive professional development program, which includes lessons in networking, interviewing, resume preparation and etiquette. Nearly 70% of Hispanic College Fund scholars are the first in their family to attend college, and this program provides them with exposure to the professional world.
HCF Connections
This electronic communications initiative consists of a website (
www.hcfconnections.org) and electronic newsletter, providing Hispanic students nationwide with career advice, scholarship information, guidelines on navigating the road to college, online mentoring, peer-to-peer support networks and online “chats” with experts in academic and professional life.
In 2007 the HCF Connections website received 10,000 unique visitors.
The Hispanic College Fund email mailing list consists of more than 100,000 college-aspiring and college-achieving Hispanic students.
