San Diego Education Fund

Since 1954, the San Diego Education Fund has focused on expanding educational opportunities and undergraduate degrees for San Diego Unified School District students and graduates. We support our next generation of teachers and STEM professionals from their first day of college to graduation. Many of our scholars are the first in their families to attend college.

SDEF provides college access to low-income, ethnically-diverse students to pursue careers as teachers and STEM professionals. Our support includes stipends, mentorship and access to networking and job placement. 

Teacher Scholars: Making a Difference

SDEF scholars understand the challenges of growing up in poor neighborhoods, where schools provide a safe haven and teachers play critical roles in building their students’ self-confidence. SDEF’s Teacher Scholars are determined to enter the profession so they, too, can make a difference in the lives of children.

Teacher Scholars: Investing in Education

Students are shown to relate better to teachers whose backgrounds resemble their own. That’s why we believe so strongly in our investment in education. Through the years, more than 400 of our homegrown Teacher Scholars have returned to San Diego Unified as teachers. Once our Teacher Scholars are fully credentialed, we support their job placement in the district.

STEM Scholars: Solving Problems

Just like the workforce needs teachers, it also offers a wealth of opportunities for professionals in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM. As they advance through college, our STEM Scholars build the critical thinking and problem solving skills communities need to overcome their greatest challenges. We are proud to see so many of our STEM Scholars thrive.

Our Numbers Speak for Themselves

Since 1954, the San Diego Education Fund has focused on expanding educational opportunities and undergraduate degrees for San Diego Unified School District students and graduates. We support our next generation of teachers and STEM professionals from their first day of college to graduation. Many of our scholars are the first in their families to attend college.

1954: San Diego Education Fund formed as one of the few organizations at that time to advance higher education for San Diego Unified School District graduates.

400+: San Diego Education Fund scholar alumni who are working or have worked at San Diego Unified School District campuses.

100%: Every dollar of San Diego Education Fund’s revenue comes from the private sector. Our list of individual and corporate donors continues to grow.

$4 million: San Diego Education Fund’s investment since 2000 in low-income, ethnically-diverse students to attend college.