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REACH Youth Scholarship Awards

THE SAN JOSE SPORTS AUTHORITY

Foundation Annual Grants for Youth SportsGrants for EducationHardship Grants
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Funding Amount

$1,000 - $10,000 per recipient; $83,000+ total annually

Deadline

June 15, 2026

67 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

REACH Youth Scholarship Awards

Program Name: REACH (Recognizing Excellence, Adversity, Courage and Hard Work)

Funder: San Jose Sports Authority

Geographic Scope: Santa Clara County high schools

Program Background:

  • Established in 1996; first class of recipients announced in 1997

  • Annual scholarship program now in its 25+ year

  • Honors high school seniors who have overcome adversity to excel academically and athletically

    • Award Details:

  • Individual Awards: Range from $1,000 to $10,000 per scholarship recipient

  • Total Annual Funding: $83,000 in total scholarships distributed over four years (as of 2021)

  • Finalists: All finalists receive $250 scholarship even if not selected as primary recipient

  • Additional Benefits: Recipients receive new laptop powered by Qualcomm technology

    • Eligibility Requirements:

  • High school seniors within Santa Clara County

  • Minimum 2.5 GPA

  • Participate in a sanctioned high school athletic activity

  • Demonstrate community involvement

  • Demonstrate ability to overcome adversity

    • Selection Criteria:

  • Each school may nominate up to five students

  • Nominees submit essays (1-3 pages) detailing:

    • - Life obstacles faced
    - How sports helped achieve goals
  • Essays judged on content

  • Panel of local community leaders reviews essays, conducts interviews, selects recipients

    • Focus Areas:

  • Student-athletes who have overcome significant challenges including:

    • - Battling serious illness/cancer
    - Loss of parent
    - Difficult home environments
    - Learning disabilities
    - Mental health challenges
    - Economic hardship

    Presentation:

  • Annual awards show (traditionally in-person celebration)

  • Recent years broadcast on NBC Sports Bay Area

  • Features remarks from honorary co-chairs and local sports celebrities

    • Contact Information:

  • Carrie Benjamin, Director of Events

  • San Jose Sports Authority

  • (408) 288-2936

  • carrie@sjsa.org

  • Website: sjsa.org/REACH

    • Sponsors (2021):

  • Presenting Sponsor: Heritage Bank of Commerce

  • Technology Sponsor: Qualcomm

  • Community Sponsors: Berliner Cohen Attorneys at Law, Intero Foundation, The Olander Company, Steve Hallgrimson Family Foundation

    • How to Apply

    Application Process

    Step 1: School Nomination

  • School administrators nominate students from their high school

  • Each school may nominate up to five students

  • Complete online nomination form

    • Step 2: Student Application

  • Nominated students complete student information form

  • Submit background essay (1-3 pages)

    • Essay Requirements:
    Essays must address:

  • Life obstacles faced

  • How sports have helped achieve goals

  • Essays judged on content

    • Required Materials:

  • Student information form

  • 1-3 page background essay

  • Minimum 2.5 GPA verification

    • Nomination Form: Available online at sjsa.org/REACH/apply/

    Student-Athlete Application: Available online at sjsa.org/REACH/apply/

    Questions: Email sjsa.org for nomination or application process questions

    Timeline: Annual cycle with applications typically opening in spring for high school seniors

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    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    youth-sportseducationhardship

    Categories

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