Desert Sparkles Fund
LGBTQIA+ Funding
EIN: 99-2245969
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 activities.
Here are a few examples:
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Funding student participation in LGBTQ+ professional development (national conferences, etc.)
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Textbooks and other immediate academic needs
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Emergency funds for students experiencing housing, transportation, and wellness challenges
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LGBTQ+ event participation (supplies, tickets, etc.)
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Transfer university application fees and university visits
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Collaborations with other California Community College LGBTQ+ student leadership groups
DSF impact to date:
2018-2025
205 Student Scholarships awarded, totaling $240,000
Fantasy Prom was a huge success.
Raised $30,000 and
100% of the proceeds go towards scholarships.
If you raised your hand at the event and need to submit your donation,
click below.
The space is ready
The guests arrive
The party started
Royal Court awarded
See you next year!
Sparkles Prom 2027
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended Fantasy Prom. The evening was nothing short of magical, and the setting could not have been more perfect. From the music to the laughter to the sparkling dance floor, the joy in the room reminded us exactly why this event means so much.
A special thank you goes to David A. Lee, who beautifully memorialized the evening with his incredible photography. The photos truly capture the sparkle, the style, and the spirit of the night. You can view them now on our website using the link below.
To our generous supporters who were unable to attend but still made a donation — thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your generosity ensures that the magic of this event reaches far beyond the ballroom.
We are also deeply grateful to all of our in-kind donors who contributed items to the silent auction and the ever-popular wine wall. Because of you, the excitement continued all evening long!
Thanks to this incredible community, 100% of the ticket sales, wine wall purchases, silent auction proceeds, and donations — totaling more than $30,000 — will go directly toward scholarships for 2026.
These funds will help deserving students cover essential expenses such as books, living costs, and educational opportunities that make pursuing higher education possible. Your generosity truly opens doors and changes lives.
Our hearts are full, and we are so grateful for your continued support.
✨ And because the evening was such a success… we’re already dreaming about the next one!
Save the sparkle for Sparkles Prom — coming April 2027.
If you raised your hand during the event to donate, please use the Donate link to complete your pledge. And if you didn’t get a chance to donate that evening but would still like to contribute, the opportunity is still open.
Thank you for believing in our mission and in the bright futures of the students we serve.
With gratitude and sparkle,
Lucio Bernal
Desert Sparkles Fund
Board of Directors, Co-Chairs, and Supporters
“Help us grow the 2026 scholarship fund by making a gift today.”
A message from Lucio Bernal,
Founder & CEO at DSF.
After 7 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 $240,000 and awarded over 205 scholarships, and still going strong. We look forward to your continued support in 2026 and beyond.
Sincerely,
Lucio Bernal
Browse our website and learn how to:
