About
We walk alongside Berkeley’s scholars.
Berkeley Community Scholars supports Berkeley public high school graduates on the way to a bachelor’s degree. Our scholars are the first generation in their families to attend college, from families living in the lowest economic quartile, and belong to groups historically underrepresented in earning bachelor’s degrees. We provide one-on-one college success advising, career readiness, scholarships, and a community network of mentors, alumni, and local employers. One program from high school graduation to early career.
Our scholars do the work. We are here to walk alongside them.
Mission, Vision & Values
Mission. Berkeley Community Scholars empower Berkeley youth who face racial, economic, and other barriers to achieving their college dreams by providing a unique experience of scholarships, advising, mentoring and a community of support.
Vision. We believe that all Berkeley youth deserve the opportunity to achieve a future of success, security, and joy, and the support of a community that believes in them every step of the way. We work for racial and social equity so that our college-bound scholars, who embody the spirit, diversity, and values of our community, can access the resources to realize their dreams and aspirations.
Our key values are:
Community
We are a caring and generous community that is built upon inclusion and belonging, respects our diverse heritages and experiences, and shares the joy and responsibility of supporting the success of our youth.
Equity
We believe our scholars deserve the opportunity to access the knowledge, networks, and resources that will empower them to define their own pathways to achieve their goals.
Education
We believe that a college education is a powerful force and a doorway to opportunity for students seeking a pathway to success, security, and joy.
And we do this work, continuing to center our awareness on:
Racial Equity. The barriers our scholars face were built, not born. BCS commits to racial equity and belonging and to dismantling the structures, attitudes, and biases that harm our scholars and our community.
Our Story
It started as a fund. It became a community.
1991
A group of Berkeley residents who loved their city and wanted it to be fairer founded the Berkeley Community Fund. It supported projects across the city that strengthened community and advanced social and economic justice.
2008
One gap kept showing up. Berkeley is one of the most educated cities in the country, and yet some of its own high school graduates were being left out of college, or leaving without a degree. Not for lack of ability. For lack of money, guidance, and someone to call. In 2008, the organization poured all of its resources into closing that gap: scholarships, advising, and mentoring for Berkeley High graduates who were the first generation in their families to go to college and underrepresented in higher education.
2018
We added the Community College program to include our community college scholars who were struggling to transfer.
2019
We changed our name to Berkeley Community Scholars to say plainly what we do.
The founders started it. Scholars are who it belongs to now.
Accountability & Transparency
We show our work.
Berkeley Community Scholars is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 94-3264327, and holds the 2026 Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid (formerly GuideStar). We publish an impact report and file the IRS Form 990 every year after the fiscal year closes.
Meet Our Team
Our scholars aren’t going through college alone. Meet the staff, board, and community around them.