CIELO Fund scholarships buoy region's dedicated students

The Cultivating Inland Empire Latino Opportunity Fund (CIELO Fund) is on track to award $107,000 in scholarships to 64 students throughout the Inland Empire as part of the 2024 CIELO Fund Scholars Program.

This second round of funding increases the fund's total investments for Latino scholarships to $230,000. Some 148 students have benefited from the scholarship fund since its inception in 2023.

"Higher education is a pathway for many young people to break cycles of poverty and obtain middle-class careers," says Jesse Melgar, founder and chair of the CIELO Fund. "The cost of a college degree can be prohibitive for some in the Inland region, and with our committee's $107,000 investment, we are hoping to help dozens of students achieve their educational and career goals.

"We congratulate this cohort of talented scholars who are continuing their education at Inland colleges and universities," he says.

The unique and robust fund is geared to support students attending Inland Empire colleges and universities, with a strong emphasis on those intending to live and work in the region. Nearly 40% of scholarship recipients are either from or attending college in the Coachella Valley.

For 24-year-old Steven Serrano, it's a stellar opportunity to finish his education and work in an important field of work.

"The CIELO Fund scholarship was very helpful," Serrano says. "It offers, at least the way I interpret it, that sense of the California Dream in regard to having a higher education. At the same time, it gives back to the community, the region overall and the whole state within the public system."

It also ties into the work Serrano is currently doing. In additional to attending school — he's working toward a master's in public administration — Serrano works at Inland Regional Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities.

"The scholarship offers me the opportunity to work and obtain my education," he says. "It has allowed me to focus on paying my rent and books, primarily my tuition for my two years and to be graduating debt-free without any loans."

That's a big plus.

Launched in 2022 as an Inland Empire Community Foundation signature fund, the scholarship supports civic-minded students who want to invest something significant back to the region. Motivation, perseverance and a sincere desire to put their education to work for the benefit of the Inland Empire and underserved communities are among some of the qualities being considered for potential scholarship recipients.

Breaking it down, a one-time scholarship award of $1,000 to $3,000 is offered to an accredited four-year public, two-year community college or private institution of higher learning within the Inland Empire. Priority is given to graduating students who intend to work in the region.

These scholarships are considered grant awards, therefore no services are required after receiving the award. Scholarship awards are for tuition, books, education feesand/or living expenses. All students are welcome to apply, regardless of immigration status. Major support for the CIELO Fund Scholars Program comes from the S.L. Gimbel Foundation.

It's a significant investment, overall, to local students. The fund was specifically designed to uplift and invest in the region's Latino community. In addition to awarding $650,000 in grants to 56 Latino-led and Latino-serving organizations in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, three research reports have also been commissioned to better understand the challenges and immense opportunities to drive the Latino community forward. They have also funded impactful narrative projects such as launching IE Latino Voices in collaboration with KVCR.

Since launching, including grants and scholarships, the CIELO Fund has invested $880,000 directly into Inland Empire Latino communities.

"I'm the eldest one in my family of six," Serrano says of how his scholarship is making a vital difference. "In addition to this, my support growing up right here has always been through education, through my teachers and my parents for allowing me to obtain my education while still being able to support them at the same time, right here."

Learn more about CIELO Fund at iegives.org/funds/cielofund .

Inland Empire Community Foundation works to strengthen Inland Southern California through philanthropy. Visit iegives.org .

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: CIELO Fund scholarships buoy region's dedicated students