The Sheryl Sandberg and Dave Goldberg Family Foundation (SGFF) and KIPP Launch the Dave Goldberg Scholarship Program

Palo Alto, CA – October 2, 2017 – The Sheryl Sandberg and Dave Goldberg Family Foundation (SGFF) and the KIPP Foundation announce today the launch of the Dave Goldberg Scholarship program. The Scholarship will benefit selected graduating KIPP seniors. This new program was created in honor of Dave Goldberg with the goal of supporting a new generation of leaders who embody Dave’s qualities of leadership, resilience, achievement, strength of character including generosity and kindness, independent thinking and entrepreneurial spirit.

SGFF selected KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) as its partner for the Dave Goldberg Scholarship program due to KIPP’s proven track record of helping students from educationally underserved communities develop the knowledge, skills, and character strengths necessary to succeed in college and life. KIPP is a national network of over 200 public charter schools in 20 states enrolling students in grades pre-K through high school.  All students who complete eighth grade at a KIPP public middle school or begin ninth grade at a KIPP public high school receive college counseling from KIPP all the way through college graduation.

“Dave believed deeply that every child deserves the opportunity to get a quality education. He also believed deeply in KIPP, which is run by his longtime friend Richard Barth,” said Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook COO and founder of LeanIn.Org and OptionB.Org. “I’m so proud that Rob and Paula Goldberg and I are launching the Dave Goldberg Scholarship Program in his honor to help support a new generation of students who demonstrate so many of the qualities Dave exhibited in his life and work.”

“Dave was truly passionate about how new ideas could make people’s lives better,” said Rob Goldberg, Dave’s brother and Founder and CEO of Fresno. “He believed strongly in the power of ideas and connecting people to make the world better. This scholarship fund brings both of these concepts to life in a way that would have made Dave proud, by mentoring and connecting students (Goldie Scholars) from the first days of college through their first job. As the Goldie Scholars themselves begin to become a resource for other scholars, friends and family over the years, the true impact of the program and Dave’s legacy will truly be felt across the country.”

This spring, SGFF will work with KIPP to select the inaugural class of 15 recipients of the Dave Goldberg Scholarship or “Goldie Scholars.” Any KIPP student who is a high school senior in the 2017-18 school year is eligible to apply to become a Goldie Scholar. KIPP students selected as Goldie Scholars will receive financial support and mentorship to help them graduate from college, secure internships and their first job, and begin advancing toward career goals.

Like many first generation college students, KIPP alumni face significant obstacles on the path to earning a degree. Even students receiving tuition assistance face many additional financial obstacles, and most don’t have the same access to mentors and professional networks as their peers. In a survey of KIPP Alumni in January 2017, KIPP found that the majority work at least one job while in college to support themselves, and in some cases, their families. In addition, the survey found that KIPP alumni in college aim to enter professional careers, but most do not have access to the mentors, networks, and internship opportunities that are essential to career success.

“We learned from surveying over 10,000 KIPP alumni in college that financial help alone is not enough to remove the roadblocks they encounter in trying to enter professional careers,” said Richard Barth, KIPP Foundation CEO. “That’s why we are so excited about the Dave Goldberg Scholarship Program and its thoughtful approach to providing support, mentoring, access to internships, career advice, and networking that will help open doors for KIPP alumni in their chosen fields.”

Students chosen as Goldie Scholars will receive a unique combination of financial support and career development mentoring during their four-year college experience. The Scholarship includes:

  • A stipend of approximately $15,000 a year that can be used for a range of critical needs for successful college careers, including housing, food, clothing, books, computers or other technology needs, and summer living expenses to allow scholars to accept internships anywhere in the country.
  • A Goldie Mentor who will provide advice and ongoing support on a regular basis throughout the duration of the scholarship.
  • Support from Goldie Connectors to help secure summer internships and job opportunities.
  • Participation in an annual Goldie Scholars Summer Leadership Day, when scholars will come together to build relationships with each other, meet leaders/influencers in their chosen fields and build a connection with the Sandberg/Goldberg family.

Applications for the Dave Goldberg Scholarship program can be found at goldiescholars.org. Completed applications must be submitted by February 16, 2018

About the Sheryl Sandberg and Dave Goldberg Foundation

The Sheryl Sandberg & Dave Goldberg Family Foundation works to build a more equal and resilient world. SGFF brings people together to support each other through three key initiatives: LeanIn.Org, OptionB.Org, and the Dave Goldberg Scholarship Program.

About KIPP

KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is a national network of 209 public charter schools that are dedicated to preparing students in educationally underserved communities for success in college and life. KIPP schools are ​part of the free public school system and enrollment is open to all students. Started in 1994 as a middle school program, KIPP has since expanded to enroll students in all grades from pre-K through high school.