DEAR FRIENDS ,
DEAR FRIENDS ,
2016 marked a historic milestone in the life of Meritus College Fund — we turned 20 !
Last year Meritus was delighted to celebrate 20 years of service to ambitious young people from underserved communities across the Bay Area . Since 1996 , Meritus has awarded $ 9.5 million in scholarship assistance alone and supported more than 700 Scholars on their college journeys . But we are wasting no time in looking ahead .
Beyond just financial support , we recognize the need to help our Scholars succeed in an ever-changing world . Our goal is to create long-term impact that positions our Scholars to be competitive in the workforce and provides them with opportunities for socioeconomic mobility . In the years to come , we seek to empower even more Scholars to achieve their aspirations . In 2016 , we welcomed our first class of Scholars from the South Bay through our partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula . This exciting step was part of a five-year strategic plan to serve more students regionally .
In 2017 , we will continue to ensure that our Scholars have the most robust college experiences possible . Over the past 20 years , Meritus ’ program has grown from supporting one student to helping more than 250 Scholars annually with a comprehensive program that includes a financial award , individualized advising , and career development . Notably , 88 % of Meritus Scholars achieve a college degree , compared to just 26 % of their peers nationally .
We celebrate your commitment to our Scholars and recognize that our work is not possible without the generosity of our supporters . Together we can profoundly impact the lives of many more deserving students .
On behalf of our Board , staff , and — most importantly — our Scholars , thank you for your support ! Best regards ,
Diana M . Wolf Executive Director
Mary Wolfe Chair , Board of Directors