The BEF seeks to enable students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to live up to their full potential and pay it forward to improve, advance, and strengthen their families, communities, and ultimately, society.
PIONEERING RELATIONSHIP PHILANTHROPY
Relationships change lives. The BEF helps students achieve their maximum success and
upward social mobility by establishing close personal relationships with them.
upward social mobility by establishing close personal relationships with them.
WHAT WE DO
The BEF provides financial assistance and intensive mentoring to enable students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to achieve success both during college and beyond graduation, by acquiring the “cultural capital” that middle-to-upper class families take for granted.
HOW WE WORK
The BEF scholarship is awarded each year to graduating Mountain View High School AVID students who, in the Foundation’s judgment, will be highly successful in a competitive university academic environment and have the potential to make significant contributions to their communities and society.
OUR IMPACT
Our scholars have achieved a 90%+ college graduation rate among a demographic that typically has only an 11% graduation rate, even with full financial support. Our scholars achieve upward mobility by going beyond college to establish successful careers in many fields.
WHO WE ARE
The Burwen Education Foundation was established in 2001 by David and Susan Burwen. Members of the Board of Directors, who also serve as Mentors, are all volunteers.