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Mission Statement:

To provide students tuition, living funds, and educational programs at the College of the Desert, and other educational institutions who identify as LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, or Asexual +).

We added "educational programs" to our mission statement to allow for DSF to allocate funding to colleges so that students could attend seminars, conferences, etc and expose them to a variety of learning acitivites.

Here are a few examples:

  • Funding student participation in LGBTQ+ professional development (national conferences, etc.)

  • Textbooks and other immediate academic needs

  • Emergency funds for students experiencing housing, transportation, and wellness challenges

  • LGBTQ+ event participation (supplies, tickets, etc.)

  • Transfer university application fees and university visits

  • Collaborations with other California Community College LGBTQ+ student leadership groups

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Last night's
"Springs Sparkles"
fundraiser was an epic success!
We raised over $7385
in just two hours.

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Spring Event Photos

DSF impact to date:

2018 - $5,000 

2019 - $10,000

2020 - $18,000

2021 - $30,407

2022 - $19,275

2023 - $97,872.20

2024 - $48,975

Over 194 Scholarships awarded

for a total of $229,531

2026 Fundraising Event

"Fantasy Prom"

Save the date: March 7, 2026, at the Palm Springs Surf Club event room.

This is your opportunity to create the prom you always fantasized about, and with whom, but as an adult. 

21 and over only. 

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Submit your email if you want to know more and/or want to know more about sponsorships and silent auction donations.

Thanks for submitting!

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A message from Lucio Bernal,
Founder & CEO at DSF.

After 6 years of organically growing the scholarship fund, Jon and I are thrilled with the success and the support of the local community.  We have raised over  $230,000 and awarded over 183 scholarships, and still going strong. We look forward to your continued support in 2025 and beyond.

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Sincerely,

Lucio Bernal

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WHAT RECIPIENTS SAY

"I want to be a teachers assistant for special education.  I really enjoy working with special needs kids and adults.  I love bringing joy to their days.  I like helping kids learn in different ways because I needed to be taught in different ways as well.  Thank you again"

WHAT RECIPIENTS SAY

“I’m thankful for the $1,000 scholarship that will help me advance my education.  And to relieve some of the financial burden that comes with attending college as a young individual”

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