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Mission Statement:

To provide students tuition, living funds, and educational programs at the College of the Desert, and other educational institutions who identify as LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, or Asexual +).

We added "educational programs" to our mission statement to allow for DSF to allocate funding to colleges so that students could attend seminars, conferences, etc and expose them to a variety of learning acitivites.

Here are a few examples:

  • Funding student participation in LGBTQ+ professional development (national conferences, etc.)

  • Textbooks and other immediate academic needs

  • Emergency funds for students experiencing housing, transportation, and wellness challenges

  • LGBTQ+ event participation (supplies, tickets, etc.)

  • Transfer university application fees and university visits

  • Collaborations with other California Community College LGBTQ+ student leadership groups

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DSF impact to date:

2018-2025

205 Student Scholarships awarded, totaling $240,000

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The 2025
"Springs Sparkles"
fundraiser was an epic success!
We raised over $7385
in just two hours.

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Spring Event Photos

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A message from Lucio Bernal,
Founder & CEO at DSF.

After 7 years of organically growing the scholarship fund, Jon and I are thrilled with the success and the support of the local community.  We have raised over  $240,000 and awarded over 205 scholarships, and still going strong. We look forward to your continued support in 2026 and beyond.

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Sincerely,

Lucio Bernal

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WHAT RECIPIENTS SAY

"I want to be a teachers assistant for special education.  I really enjoy working with special needs kids and adults.  I love bringing joy to their days.  I like helping kids learn in different ways because I needed to be taught in different ways as well.  Thank you again"

WHAT RECIPIENTS SAY

“I’m thankful for the $1,000 scholarship that will help me advance my education.  And to relieve some of the financial burden that comes with attending college as a young individual”

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