Pursuit of Excellence Scholarship

Founded: 1985 by Jerry and Dick Smallwood

Mission

Help low-income, hard-working students earn a college degree by providing financial support, mentoring, and enrichment opportunities (workshops, internships) for the entire duration of their college studies.

Key Facts

• Award Amount: $500 - $7,000 per year
• Graduation Rate: 90% (compared to 37% national average for low-income students)
• Students Helped: 800+ students
• Total Funding: $10M+ contributed
• Administrative Efficiency: Over 98% of donations go directly to support students

Geographic Scope

Three locations:

1. San Francisco Peninsula: Serves high schools from Sunnyvale to San Mateo, CA (14 high schools)
2. San Francisco South Bay: Serves San Jose and Los Gatos areas (opened 2015)
3. Mid-Atlantic/Washington DC Area: Serves DC suburbs and Eastern Shore of Maryland (opened 2008)

Eligibility

• Target: Low-income, hard-working high school seniors
• Focus: Students for whom the funds represent a "tipping point" in their ability to attend college
• Support Duration: Continues support for as long as students are pursuing their degree
• Graduate Support: As of 2022, also supports POE alumni attending graduate school

What POE Provides

• Financial Support: Annual scholarships ranging from $500-$7,000
• Mentoring: Ongoing mentorship throughout college
• Enrichment: Workshops and training sessions
• Internships: Internship opportunities (including partnerships like Bristol Myers Squibb)
• Personal Support: Safety net assistance, help navigating bureaucracy, attendance at graduations/weddings

Supported High Schools (Peninsula)

• Carlmont High School (Belmont)
• Castilleja School (Palo Alto)
• East Palo Alto Academy (Menlo Park)
• Eastside College Preparatory School (East Palo Alto)
• Everest Public High School (Redwood City)
• Gunn High School (Palo Alto)
• Menlo-Atherton High School (Atherton)
• Palo Alto High School
• San Mateo High School
• Sequoia High School (Redwood City)
• Summit Preparatory High School (Redwood City)
• Woodside High School (Woodside)

Supported High Schools (Mid-Atlantic)

• Wakefield High School (Arlington, VA)
• Justice High School (Falls Church, VA)
• St. Michaels High School (St. Michaels, MD)

Leadership

• Peninsula: Carol Mullin (daughter of founders)
• Mid-Atlantic: Carol Ann and Scott Smallwood

Contact & Additional Information

• Website: poescholarships.org
• The organization maintains low office and administrative expenses to maximize student benefits
• Strong focus on first-generation college students and students from low-income backgrounds