Scholarships

Roberta Jenkins Scholarship

“This scholarship is a natural extension of our continued commitment to give back and is consequential in that it acknowledges that investing in our young people through time, energy and resources will have a positive and significant impact on their lives and the lives of others,”
~ Roberta Jenkins

“ This scholarship fund will help ensure equity in educational opportunity on our campus. It is another example of Roberta's generosity and vision.”
~ Jane Close Conoley, President of CSULB

Kim Acterman

I am extremely thankful for this scholarship because of the myriad of opportunities it has opened up for me. The Long Beach Community Foundation has given me the chance to accomplish my goals and achieve what was once unthinkable to me. Not only that, but this specific scholarship will give me the opportunity to become a teacher, something that has been a lifelong goal of mine. The foundation has clearly made significant strides to stimulate growth and good change through their philanthropic efforts, and I am so grateful to live in a community that benefits from this amazing organization. Words cannot express my gratitude.
Warm Regards ~ Kim

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The Long Beach Community Foundation is pleased to offer the following scholarships. Scholarships are awarded to selected individuals who are pursuing a United States-based education.

To view and submit scholarship applications, visit our online application portal. Make sure to register as an individual to access our scholarships. 

The Cathy and Peter Ridder Scholarship Fund was established for the purpose of supporting students attending Long Beach City College or California State University, Long Beach. Students eligible for this scholarship will show economic need as well as community-minded ideals.
Students attending Long Beach City College pursuing a degree in one of the trades the school offers or nursing will be eligible to apply.
Eligibility:
  • The applicant must be a current student at Long Beach City College OR planning on attending
  • Starting in 2025, students attending or planning to attend California State University, Long Beach pursuing a Nursing degree will also be eligible to apply
  • If the applicant is a current or future student at Long Beach City College, they need to be studying under at least one of the trades or nursing programs offered at LBCC
    • Advanced Manufacturing Technology
    • Advanced Transportation Technology
    • Architecture
    • Automotive Technology
    • Construction Technology
    • Electrical Technology
    • Metal Fabrication Technology
    • Spatial Design
    • Welding Technology
    • Nursing: Registered Nursing (RN)
    • Nursing: LVN to RN
    • Nursing: Vocational
  • Starting in 2025, if the applicant is a current or future student at California State University, Long Beach they need to be pursuing a degree from the School of Nursing
Amount:
  • Scholarships are available in 2024 to Long Beach City College students for $2,500.00
Additional Information:
This scholarship is for the term of one academic school year and can only be renewed through the submission of a follow-up application. If awarded, scholarship payments will be disbursed upon the student's acceptance of the award and submission of proof of enrollment. Students must continue to maintain part-time or full-time enrollment, depending on the information provided at the time of the scholarship application, and maintain a 2.5 or higher grade point average to receive subsequent scholarship disbursements.

The Roberta and Matthew Jenkins Scholarship was created for the express purpose of supporting Black students who face economic challenges in their pursuit of a college degree. The intersectionality of race, systemic and structural inequality, and inter-generational poverty have definite and lingering consequences on these students' aspirations and life trajectories. The consequences of these inequities are most evident in their post-secondary pursuits and achievement.

The intent of this funding is to provide academic scholarships, academic support, and comprehensive resources to Black students residing in the Greater Long Beach area, who have applied to, been accepted into, or are currently attending California State University, Long Beach.

Amount:

Scholarships will be awarded to support full tuition, books, room, and board.

Eligibility:

  • Applicants must have already applied to, been accepted into, or currently attending California State University, Long Beach.
  • Applicants must reside in the Greater Long Beach area
  • Preference will be for high school seniors. However, current college students and community college graduates will also be considered.
  • Applicants must be a graduating high school senior or equivalent, a previous graduate from a public or private high school, or possess a General Educational Development (GED) certification

Additional Information:

Prior to award notification, finalists for consideration will be invited for an in-person panel interview to further gauge student's talents and character.

This scholarship is for the term of four years with the ability to renew for a fifth year. If awarded, scholarship payments will be disbursed in equal payments each Fall semester directly to the student's school, upon submission of proof of enrollment and the most up-to-date transcript by the applicant. Students must continue to remain in good standing in order to receive subsequent scholarship disbursements.

Don Knabe Safe Surrender Scholarship Fund

A California state law was created in January 2001 that allows an infant to be safely surrendered voluntarily to a police, fire, or hospital facility, by a parent or person with lawful custody, within 72 hours of the birth. Despite the passage of this law, Don Knabe was alarmed by the number of infants that continued to be abandoned. As an LA County Supervisor, he took steps to direct several Los Angeles County agencies to provide recommendations on how to improve the program. In 2002, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved the implementation of 12 recommendations to improve and promote the program. These efforts have been successful in minimizing the number of abandoned infants in Los Angeles County since 2001. Passionate about the cause, Supervisor Knabe initiated a scholarship fund at the Long Beach Community Foundation in 2014 to provide scholarships for children safely surrendered in Los Angeles County. 2020 marked the first year Safe Surrender Scholarships were awarded.

Eligibility

All children adopted through the Los Angeles County Safe Surrender Program are eligible to apply within three years from the time they turn 17. The scholarships may be used at accredited United States institutions for higher education educational institutions which may include community colleges, trade or vocational schools, or universities. Scholarship values will vary and are based on the number of applicants and available funding.

Required Documentation

  • Applicant must have a Letter of Eligibility Verification from the Department of Children and Family Services
  • Transcript
  • Letters of Recommendation

Applications are accepted year-round and the next awards will be decided in Spring 2024. 

Ensemble Investments, LLC has established a scholarship program through the Long Beach Community Foundation (LBCF) to award scholarships to college students or college-bound individuals, regardless of age or course of study, based on a student’s determination to succeed. Preference will be given to highly motivated individuals who demonstrate the drive to succeed through education at an accredited Community College, Vocational College, Career College, or University. Graduating high school students and currently enrolled college students are eligible to apply.

Eligibility

The applicant must be a current employee or the child/grandchild of a current employee of the Ensemble Real Estate group (at the Delta by Marriott Mesa, Best Western Sedona, Las Posadas Sedona, Hotel Maya, DoubleTree Carson, Hyatt Place Pasadena, Dream Inn, Bernardus Lodge & Spa). The Ensemble Real Estate group employee must have worked a minimum average of 32 hours per week for one full year, and been employed for a minimum of two years at the time of application. Applicants must have graduated from an accredited high school or possess a valid General Education Development (GED) Certificate.

2024 Applications are now being accepted. Awards will be decided in April 2024. 

Having taught for 33 years in the Long Beach Unified School District, Larry Acterman is remembered as a dedicated social studies teacher and mentor.  A tireless advocate for public education, he championed improvements in the public school system at the local, regional and national levels.  To honor their father’s lifelong commitment to public education, his children Steve Acterman and Amy (Acterman) Tenderich established the Larry Acterman Public Education Award (LAPEA) as a permanently-endowed scholarship fund at the Long Beach Community Foundation, with the goal of encouraging and supporting students interested in pursuing a career as a California public school teacher.

Eligibility

  • Applicants must be high school seniors currently enrolled* in and graduating from the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) or the Garden Grove Unified School District (GGUSD). *Must have been enrolled in and attended (on-campus) either of these districts for at least one full academic year. 
  • Applicants must be high school seniors who plan to enroll in a full-time course of study which leads to a degree (and a California teaching credential) at an accredited four-year public college or university in the state of California.
  • Applicants must be United States citizens.
  • Applicants must demonstrate a strong commitment to, and interest in, pursuing a career in public education as a K-12 public school teacher in California.
  • Applicants must demonstrate outstanding scholastic ability and a determination to graduate from college and become a California public school teacher.

2024 Applications are now being accepted. Awards will be decided in April 2024. 

The Long Beach Community Foundation is pleased to offer the Early Childhood Educator Scholarship.

The ECE Workforce Taskforce, with the financial support and guidance of the Rudolph J. and Daphne A. Munzer Foundation, has established the Early Childhood Educator Scholarship through the Long Beach Community Foundation. The scholarship will be awarded to current employees of Child Lane, Long Beach Day Nursery, Long Beach YMCA, Un Mundo de Amigos, and Young Horizons.

Eligibility

  • The applicant must be a current employee of Child Lane, Long Beach Day Nursery, Un Mundo de Amigos, Young Horizons, or the Long Beach YMCA. A current employee is defined as a full-time or part-time having been employed for at least 6 months and working a minimum of 20 hours per week.
  • Applicant must be in pursuit of an AA Degree, BA Degree, or Master's Degree in Child Development or Early Childhood Education at an accredited Community College or University.

Required Documentation

  • Verification of current employment
  • Proof of enrollment or intent to enroll in a secondary educational institution

Additional Information

This scholarship is renewable. If awarded, scholarship payments will be disbursed in equal payments in Spring and Fall directly to the student's school, upon proof of enrollment by the applicant. Students must continue to maintain part-time or full-time enrollment, depending on the information provided at the time of the scholarship application, and maintain a 2.0 or higher grade point average to receive future scholarship disbursements.

Patricia K. Buck Scholarships are granted to graduating seniors of Wilson High School, Long Beach, CA. Scholarships are selected by Wilson High counselors and can be used for tuition, room and board, or expenses relating to college or university enrollment. Applicants for scholarships will be judged on scholastic achievement, service to their community, and financial need and must be recommended by the principal of Wilson High School.

Please contact a Wilson High School counselor for more information about this scholarship.