The Biddy Mason Charitable Foundation (BMCF) is proud to announce the opening of its annual scholarship application for current and former foster youth in Los Angeles. With awards ranging from $450 to $3,000, the scholarship offers financial support for higher education or vocational training.

Studies show that only 3–4% of foster youth earn a four-year college degree, and students of color face additional systemic barriers that make accessing higher education even more difficult. Dr. Cynthia Hudley, chair of the BMCF Scholarship Committee, emphasized the importance of expanding scholarship aid to help these individuals harness the transformative power of education.

“For foster youth, education is more than a degree or certificate—it’s a path to healing, empowerment, and breaking cycles of hardship,” she said. “Although foster youth often feel defined or restrained by their past, our scholarship is designed to propel them beyond those narratives.”

Named in honor of Biddy Mason, a formerly enslaved woman who became one of LAs first Black entrepreneurs and philanthropists, the BMCF is deeply committed to elevating LA’s foster care community. This scholarship upholds that mission by investing in those who have faced significant adversity so they can build lasting legacies of their own.

Applications are open now through May 16, 2025 at biddymason.com/scholarships. For more information on applying or to make a gift to the scholarship fund, contact BMCF at [email protected].

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.