20 YEARS OF HIGHER ACHIEVEMENT
20 YEARS OF HIGHER ACHIEVEMENT
Meritus was founded in 1996 when a group of friends recognized a distinct need in their own community— talented, motivated young people were missing out on the transformative effects of higher education because they lacked the resources to attend and complete college.
Twenty years later, Meritus continues to adapt and grow with the needs of the Scholars we serve. What began as a grassroots effort to fund one student’ s education has since become a robust college success program that serves 250 young people annually and, since 1996, has supported more than 700 Scholars.
1996
In recognition that Meritus Scholars benefit from more than just financial support, the college advising program becomes a formal part of Meritus.
Meritus College Fund is founded by Dr. Henry Safrit and friends with one $ 10,000 award. The first Meritus Scholar, Diana Wang Louie, graduates and goes on to a successful career with Symantec and Google. In 2009, she becomes the first Meritus Scholar to“ pay it forward” by generously donating a full Meritus scholarship.
4
2002
2004
Seeing a need for regional dialogue about college success for low-income students, Meritus cofounds the Bay Area College Success Network. Meritus continues to play a leadership role in the network to this day.
2007
One year after our 10th anniversary, we celebrate another milestone: The 100th Meritus Scholar graduates from college!
2010
Striving to provide social and professional connections for our growing network of Scholars, the Meritus Alumni Circle is established.
2012
Meritus expands the scope of our mission beyond college graduation with the goal of creating long-term economic opportunity. The Career Connections Program, which includes paid internships and career mentoring, is officially launched.
2013
As the price of college continues to rise, we raise the Scholar investment to $ 16,000, which includes $ 14,000 of direct financial aid and $ 2,000 toward individualized advising that spans from senior year of high school through to college graduation.
2014
With the guidance of two early-career Meritus supporters from TPG, Meritus assembles the Young Professionals Council. The YPC has gone on to raise two full scholarships and continues to support the organization through strategic initiatives.