The Biddy Mason Charitable Foundation (BMCF) is proud to announce the opening of its 2026 scholarship application for current and former foster youth in Los Angeles County. Since launching the program in 2018, BMCF has awarded more than $700,000 in scholarships, helping foster youth pursue personal and professional advancement opportunities. The application period is open from April 1, 2026 to May 15, 2026.
“For foster youth, education is more than a degree or certificate—it’s a path to healing, empowerment, and breaking cycles of hardship,” said Jackie Broxton, president and CEO of the Biddy Mason Charitable Foundation. “Our goal is to provide meaningful support when it can make the greatest difference.”
BMCF created the scholarship program to help foster youth overcome significant barriers to accessing higher education. Nationally, only a small percentage of foster youth complete four-year college degrees due to financial instability, disrupted schooling, and limited family support. BMCF’s scholarship helps bridge these gaps by investing directly in students’ long-term success.
Beginning in 2026, BMCF has updated its eligibility requirements. Scholarship applicants must now be at least 21 years old to apply. This change reflects the foundation’s commitment to supporting current and former foster youth at stages when state and federal funding sources are often no longer available or sufficient.
Applicants for the 2026 BMCF scholarship must currently be or have been a dependent (foster youth) in Los Angeles County, have a GPA of at least 2.5, and be enrolled in an accredited vocational program, community college, or four-year college/university. The scholarship may be used for undergraduate and graduate-level programs. To learn more, please visit biddymason.com/scholarships.
About the Biddy Mason Charitable Foundation
The Biddy Mason Charitable Foundation (BMCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing the legacy of Biddy Mason by serving LA’s current and former foster youth and raising awareness for Black history. BMCF is named in honor of Biddy Mason, a formerly enslaved woman, who became a leading entrepreneur and philanthropist in Los Angeles.
