“Making 50 Students’ Dreams Come True”

Who are we?

The Catalino Tapia Scholarship Foundation (CTSF) provides funding and mentoring to first-generation scholars from across the Bay Area enrolling at a community college, 4-year university, or graduate school.  We’ve awarded 421 scholarships to hardworking students since our start.

Our founder, Catalino Tapia, did not have the opportunity to study beyond the sixth grade. As a Mexican immigrant who had started a small landscaping business in Redwood City, he was proud when his son, Noel, graduated from Law School at UC Berkeley.  However, Tapia noticed there were too few people of color walking the graduation stage.  He then asked friends, businesses, and philanthropies to help him seed a scholarship fund for low-income, first-generation students.  But first, he asked his son Noel to help him incorporate a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, originally called the Bay Area Gardeners Foundation.

Today, hundreds of scholars consider Tapia an honorary grandfather, and his inspiring story has made headlines across the globe.  Tapia is a reminder that no matter your upbringing or how much money you have, we can each make a difference and profoundly impact future generations.  To that end, the organization’s board changed its name to honor its namesake in 2021.

How can you help?

Start your own fundraiser for CTSF.  People like you helped CTSF fund 36 college scholarships in 2023.  Help us reach our most ambitious goal ever: Let’s give 50 deserving students scholarships in 2024.   

Please ask your family, friends, and colleagues to join you by starting your own fundraiser!

You might also invite a CTSF board member or scholarship winner to speak to your company or civic organization.  A corporate sponsorship or a community-powered giving campaign can change students’ lives!  

Who is eligible for a scholarship? 

Student-achievers who live in Alameda, San Mateo, Santa Clara, or San Francisco counties are welcome to apply.  Successful applicants are generally the first in their family to go to college and/or low-income. Most scholars are Latinx, Asian, African-American, and/or immigrants, including those who may not have legal residency.  Over 30% of our alumni have earned a STEM degree and over 70% have been women.

How can I stay in touch or learn more?

Please join our mailing list for updates or email info-ctsf@ctsf.org with your first and last name.  Or visit our website at https://www.ctsf.org/