June 2024

Through the remarkable generosity of our community, slightly over $1 million in total scholarships were granted to graduating seniors from Golden Sierra, Oak Ridge, South Tahoe, El Dorado, Union Mine, and Ponderosa High Schools. The Foundation is honored to award nearly one-third of these scholarships on behalf of our many benevolent donors.

Kathy Haven, our Director of Grants & Programs, expresses her deep appreciation for the scholarship season, deeming it the highlight of her role. Attending numerous scholarship ceremonies and collaborating tirelessly with school counselors, Kathy ensures the smooth management of all EDCF awards. Her coordination with all school sites enabled us to track the cumulative scholarship totals for these six sites.



Just before Oak Ridge High School's Scholarship Night on May 16, Kathy verified the total scholarships for our county, standing at $997,000, a mere $3,000 shy of $1 million. While we were slightly disappointed not to reach $1 million, this was still a phenomenal sum reinvested into our community's youth. During the event, it came to our attention that funding for one of the scholarships at Oak Ridge fell through. Two generous community members in attendance graciously funded the scholarship on the spot for five deserving young women, elevating the total community scholarships awarded to just over $1 million.

This substantial investment in our community's youth underscores the extraordinary generosity of our county and its commitment to nurturing the potential of our young individuals. To the graduating classes of 2024, may you move forward with the knowledge that you belong to a community that recognizes and cherishes all that you are and the aspirations you hold for our future.

In Community Spirit,

Amy Pooley

Executive Director

El Dorado Community Foundation

Fund Spotlight: Gordon Vicini & Jim Carter

Boys & Girls Club El Dorado Alumni Scholarship

The Boys & Girls Club El Dorado County Western Slope (BGCE) was established in 1997 by several community heroes, some of whom benefited from local Boys & Girls Club program growing up. Early support from community members including Hal Barker, Vicki Barber, Ginger Swigart, Bob Edwards, Joan Stek, Francie Heim, Jim Coate, Joe Harn, Dave Brazelton, Gael Barsotti, and many more, was essential to opening the initial clubhouse at the Armory. At the helm of those initial supporters, were two men who saw a need for our youth and lead the charge to bring a Club to Placerville. Those two men were Gordon Vicini and Jim Carter.

Now 25 years later, Boys & Girls Club El Dorado County Western Slope has grown to five clubhouses, supporting more than 450 youth every single day to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens.

This new scholarship fund, The Gordon Vicini & Jim Carter BGCE Alumni Scholarship Fund, appropriately honors the two men who had the initial vision, drive, and dedication to create a safe space for our youth to thrive. This scholarship will empower BGCE alumni to continue to reach their full potential into adulthood.

Beginning in 2025, and for each year that follows, three Club alumni will receive a $2500 scholarship to assist them in their continuing education at a four year college or a trade school.

This year, El Dorado Community Foundation administered 109 scholarships from 40 different scholarship funds for a total of $334,500 disbursed toward furthering the educational goals of students all throughout our community. This incredible investment in our future wouldn't be possible if not for the generosity of the scholarship donors supporting the funds below!

This scholarship year saw the launch of El Dorado Community Foundation's very own multi-school scholarship fund, the EDCF Scholarship Giving Circle. Now you can be a part of supporting the educational goals of El Dorado County graduating seniors. Anyone can become a voting member for as little as $40 annually, allowing them to help fund scholarships at the El Dorado County high school of their choice. Click below to learn more!

Friends of the Foundation Kick-Off Events, Philanthropy On Tap!

Please join us and enjoy an evening learning about

the great work of many of our nonprofit organizations!

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Nonprofit Organization “Flight”

Nonprofits will have 60-90 seconds to share their mission

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Conversations & Connections

with nonprofits in attendance

Light appetizers will be provided. Drinks available for purchase.

2 free drink tickets for each Friends of the Foundation member as a membership benefit!

Friends of the Foundation is a membership based way to support the El Dorado Community Foundation while also benefitting from invitations to exclusive quarterly events that will offer philanthropic networking, education, and a fun social environment!

Our kick-off events will be open to all as a way to introduce the community

to this new initiative!

Did you miss last month's newsletter? Check in out here!