Benny Goodman Foundation Scholarship recipient Abigail Canafe at UC Berkeley graduation. Photo courtesy of Abigail Canafe

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - The Sacramento Region Community Foundation invites interested students from throughout the region to consider applying for one or more of the 40-plus open scholarships available through the organization.

Ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, many of the open scholarships are based on financial need while some are focused on academic status or earmarked for a specific cause or area of study. Criteria are diverse and determined based on the specific wishes of local individuals who donated to establish the scholarships.

Opportunities exist to support former foster youth, English language learners, students living with chronic illness, those interested in veterinary medicine or sustainable agriculture and more. The deadline to apply for the majority of the open scholarships is by March 13, 2026.

As one example, Abigail Canafe was a student at UC Berkeley in 2021 and received the Benny Goodman Foundation Scholarship which supports students studying jazz or classical music. The impact of this funding affected her so profoundly that she now volunteers as a scholarship evaluator with the foundation.

Canafe said, "As a past scholarship recipient, I want to give back to the Sacramento Region Community Foundation and continue helping future students fund their education."

“Investing in young people – or lifelong learners – is one of the most powerful ways we can strengthen our region’s future,” said Kerry Wood, CEO of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation. “Scholarships reduce financial barriers and, just as importantly, they tell students that their community believes in them. We strongly encourage students from throughout the region who are interested in furthering their educational goals to review and apply for the variety of open scholarships that the foundation is proud to offer.”

In 2024, more than $1 million in scholarships were awarded by the foundation, which supported 400 students as they worked to achieve their educational goals. Since its founding in 1983, the foundation has distributed more than $275 million in scholarships and community grants, demonstrating its long-term commitment to regional opportunity.

For descriptions and eligibility requirements, students interested in exploring and/or applying for open scholarships, or community members considering making a tax-friendly gift of any amount to support future scholarship awards, should visit www.sacregcf.org/students.

Information about the Sacramento Region Community Foundation and charitable giving can be found at www.sacregcf.org.