National Rainbow College Fund

About the Fund

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About

the Fund

A schol­ar­ship mod­el designed to pro­tect edu­ca­tion­al access through pri­va­cy-first sup­port.

Two students looking at assignments outside

A Different Reality

for Some Students

For some students, visibility carries consequences.
It can affect:
• Family support
• Housing stability
• Financial security
• Personal safety
Nearly 50% of NRCF scholars are not fully out.
Many scholarships assume students can be open about their identity. National Rainbow College Fund is built for those who can’t.

Why This Model Had to Be Different

Most scholarships assume students can:

• Publicly disclose their identity
• Share personal stories
• Participate in recognition
For some students, those expectations create risk. NRCF prioritizes confidentiality for scholarship recipients.
Privacy is not a feature of the program. It anchors the fund.

More Than Short-Term Relief

A scholarship does more than cover the costs of college. It can:
Reduce financial strain
Prevent disruption
Increase graduation rates
Minimize or eliminate student loan debt
Strengthen long-term earning power
Education remains one of the most reliable pathways to economic mobility.
For students navigating instability, it safeguards continuity and supports long-term success.
Students studying in the library

Governance

and Accountability

National Rainbow College Fund is powered by San Diego Foundation — one of California’s most respected philanthropic institutions and largest scholarship providers.
This structure ensures:
• Rigorous scholarship review
• Responsible financial management
• Efficient fund administration
• Transparent reporting
Donors can trust that contributions are stewarded with discipline and integrity.
Protection extends to students — and to every dollar entrusted to the fund.
In estab­lish­ing NRCF, we hope to lessen the finan­cial bur­den for many young peo­ple, includ­ing those still bur­dened by the secre­cy of remain­ing in the clos­et.
Mark A. Stu­art, CFREPres­i­dent & CEO, San Diego Foun­da­tion

Led by

experts

Our Advisory Council comprises dedicated leaders who are committed to advancing the mission of National Rainbow College Fund. Council members bring their expertise, passion and diverse perspectives to guide our efforts in supporting college students.

Advisory Council

Mark A. Stuart, CFRE

Pres­i­dent & CEO, San Diego Foun­da­tion
Jarrett Barrios

Jarrett Barrios

Senior Vice Pres­i­dent for Inter­na­tion­al Ser­vices and Ser­vices to Armed Forces, Amer­i­can Red Cross
Amanda Montgomery

Amanda Montgomery

Man­ag­ing Direc­tor, Sycamore Tree Cap­i­tal Part­ners
Dr. Becky Pettit

Dr. Becky Petitt

Vice Chan­cel­lor for Equi­ty, Diver­si­ty and Inclu­sion, Uni­ver­si­ty of Cal­i­for­nia, San Diego
Joyce Rowland

Joyce Rowland

Chief Human Resources Offi­cer (Retired), Sem­pra Ener­gy
Kinman Tong

Kinman Tong

Part­ner and Inclu­sion & Diver­si­ty Co-chair, Moss Adams
Allen Young

Allen Young

Man­ag­er, Gov­ern­ment Affairs, Cox Com­mu­ni­ca­tions

Staff

Jeff Spitko

Jeff Spitko

Senior Direc­tor, Inte­grat­ed Fundrais­ing, San Diego Foun­da­tion

Danielle Valenciano

Direc­tor, Com­mu­ni­ty Schol­ar­ships, San Diego Foun­da­tion
Rogelio Espinoza

Rogelio Espinoza

Man­ag­er, Nation­al Rain­bow Col­lege Fund

The Role of Donors

When you give to National Rainbow College Fund, you support a scholarship model designed to:
• Protect privacy
• Stabilize educational access
• Strengthen long-term opportunity
• Operate with institutional accountability
Learn How it Works
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© 2026 National Rainbow College Fund. All Rights Reserved. FED. ID: #95-2942582

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