As a resident of San Francisco’s Mission District for over twenty years, I’ve walked by the ScholarMatch office on Valencia Street hundreds—maybe thousands—of times. I’d always had it in the back of my mind to get involved, but life has a way of filling up, until two things finally nudged me to take action.

First, I’d served multiple stints as the “non-parent essay editor” for family members and friends’ kids applying to college. I was reminded not only of my knack for this work but also of how much I truly enjoy it. Second, my father decided to leave a legacy gift to a similar college-access organization in Washington State, where he lives. The combination felt like a sign.

In the summer of 2024, I applied to be a ScholarMatch college coach and was quickly matched with a student in Dallas, TX. The learning curve was steep, but I was impressed and grateful for the resources ScholarMatch provided—its excellent website, informative webinars, dedicated staff, and most importantly, the generous network of experienced coaches who readily shared wisdom.

From late August onward, my student, Miranda, and I met weekly. We began by exploring schools, moved on to applications, and later tackled scholarships. Then in February, while traveling in India, I woke up to a text from her: a screenshot of her acceptance to UT Austin, her dream school. My yelp of joy startled my husband awake, but he was thrilled, too.

Just a month later, I joined a ScholarMatch webinar where the team shared devastating news: As a major multi-year grant for the Destined for College program neared its end, the funder announced they would shift priorities away from college access. Without an influx of new funds, the Destined for College program would need to scale back. 

At a time when educational resources are being cut nationwide, the idea of losing such an effective, efficient, truly life-changing program felt unthinkable. I couldn’t stop picturing all the students who would miss out.

My personal experience with ScholarMatch, along with my family’s history, made the decision to act an easy one. My father was a first-generation college student before the term existed. His parents and grandparents emigrated from Germany just before WWII, fortunate to have both the foresight and the means to get out. 

In those days, it was somewhat easier to “work hard and get ahead,” and with strong academics and a clear focus, my father made his way through college and then medical school. My mother was also a lifelong learner and equally committed to education, first as a teacher and then a dedicated parent volunteer. 

My parents provided my brother and me with consistent guidance throughout school and into college. The values and hard work of our parents, grandparents, and earlier generations (as well as some lucky breaks) were critical to our own success. 

Our family’s immigrant experience is within reach; my father, brother, and I grew up listening to stories told in thick German accents. We believe deeply that in the United States, higher education is often the key to a better future, and we have been fortunate to benefit from it ourselves. 

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When I asked my brother and father to join me in filling ScholarMatch’s funding gap for the Destined for College program, they didn’t hesitate. It felt like the perfect way to align our resources with our values.

Earlier in the spring, Miranda had mentioned trying to refer a younger student to ScholarMatch, but couldn’t find a sign-up link. I told her to keep checking the website for updates. By late May, when the national program was back on track, I was delighted to text her that sign-ups were open again! 

As a coach, I’ve seen firsthand the value of this work—the transformation that comes when a student realizes a dream is within reach. But there’s no better testament to ScholarMatch’s impact than current participants urging their younger peers to join.

Everyone in the ScholarMatch community—students, coaches, staff, donors—has tasted some of the “special sauce” that makes this organization succeed. Now we have an opportunity to ensure it remains available to as many students as possible. 

Please consider making a financial contribution of any size to support the ongoing work and growth of their programs. And share the story with your own circle. You never know—you might uncover, as I did, a whole new network of supporters ready to help students achieve more than they believed possible.