Point Foundation (scholarship fund)

Point Foundation
Formation2001
Legal status501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
HeadquartersLos Angeles, California
Chief Executive Officer
Jorge Valencia
Websitehttps://www.pointfoundation.org/

Point Foundation is a scholarship fund that provides financial aid for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and ally college bound students in the United States. Founded in 2001, the overall mission of this organization to give these individuals the opportunity to receive the resources that they need to become pillars in society.[1][2]

History

Point Foundation was founded in 2001 and awarded its first scholarships in 2002.[3][4] The goal of founding the Point Foundation was to create a scholarship fund that supports LGBTQ+ and ally students who may be facing discrimination.[5] The organization awarded 8 scholarships to students in its first year and 27 scholarships in its second year.[6]

In 2004, Point Foundation moved its headquarters to Chicago.[7] The organization's scholarships and student services budget of $500,000[6] had by 2006 increased to more than $3 million, in part due to sponsorships from TimeWarner, CitiGroup, and Abercrombie & Fitch, among other companies.[5] Point Foundation moved its headquarters from Chicago to Los Angeles in 2007 with the appointment of Jorge Valencia to lead the organization.[8][9]

In 2021, Point Foundation partnered with the Williams Institute to conduct a national survey among LGBTQ+ students on federal student loan debt[10] and access to student housing.[11]

As of 2023, Point Foundation was the largest scholarship program for LGBTQ+ and ally college students in the US.[10] In 2025, the organization supported 755 LGBTQ+ and ally students across its scholarship programs.[12]

Point Honors gala

Point Foundation has hosted annual Point Honors benefit galas to raise funds for the organization and to recognize leaders who serve as role models to LGBTQ+ and ally students.[13] The organization has recognized a number of celebrities for their leadership at Point Honors gala events with its Point Impact and Point Courage awards.[13]

Scholarship programs

Flagship Scholarship

Since 2002, Point has offered its Flagship Scholarship for LGBTQ+ and ally students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees in the United States. The award is renewable for up to four years.[14]

Community College Scholarship

In 2016, Point initiated a new Community College Scholarship Program, a one-year transformative experience offering academic and personal development for community college students as they plan to transfer to a four-year institution. Wells Fargo funded the inaugural year of the program which assisted 11 students.[15] Students accepted into the program will receive $2,400 per semester or $4,800 per academic year scholarship, admissions counseling, coaching, and financial education.[16]

Access Scholarship

The Point Foundation Access Scholarship aims to mitigate obstacles for LGBTQ+ and ally students from backgrounds that have traditionally faced limited access to opportunities by providing them with financial support and access to leadership and professional development.[17]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Lada, Sophia. "Here are six Greater Lansing scholarships for students of color, LGBTQ youth and more". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Point Foundation commits $1M to fight LGBTQ oppression in response to Florida's "Don't Say Gay" and related bills". Yahoo! Finance. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Point Foundation". ProPublica. April 20, 2026. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  4. ↑ Henderson, Brooke (July 12, 2017). "Scholarship winners plan brighter future for the LGBT community". The Miami Herald. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
  5. 1 2 Hupp, Staci (February 12, 2006). "Support for gay students; Scholarships lend financial, emotional aid". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  6. 1 2 Freedman, Samuel (December 8, 2004). "A Refuge for Gay Students When Families Turn Away". New York Times. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  7. ↑ Masterson, Kathryn (September 14, 2004). "Gay students awarded special scholarships". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Point Foundation Moves Headquarters, Appoints New Staff". Philanthropy News Digest. January 2, 2007. Archived from the original on March 21, 2018. Retrieved April 6, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Point Foundation Names New Executive Director". Advocate. July 27, 2006. Retrieved April 2, 2026.
  10. 1 2 Brahm, Nikki (May 14, 2023). "Point Foundation Increases Support as LGBTQ+ Scholarship Applications Continue to Rise". Insight Into Academia. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
  11. ↑ Broverman, Neal (June 16, 2021). "LGBTQ+ Excellence: Meet 21 New Point Foundation Scholars". Advocate. Retrieved April 2, 2026.
  12. ↑ Reynolds, Daniel (May 30, 2025). "How 2025's brightest LGBTQ+ grads hope to change the world". Out. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  13. 1 2 Artavia, David (April 18, 2017). "Point Foundation Honors Thomas Roberts, Uzo Aduba, Dustin Lance Black". Advocate. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Point Flagship Scholarship". The University Network. July 31, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  15. ↑ "New Community College Scholarships and Educational Advancement Programs" (PDF). Point Foundation. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 21, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Point Foundation Community College Scholarship". The University Network. May 16, 2023. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Access Scholarship | Point Foundation". pointfoundation.org. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
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