Who We Are

Our story

The first three scholars: Nitzia, Marisol, and Miriam

The Peninsula College Fund (PCF) began in 2005 as the dream of local high school teacher Charles Schmuck who felt compelled to address the troubling college drop-out rate among local low-income, first-generation youth. With the help of friends and neighbors, he began offering college scholarships and mentoring to three motivated local students. This grassroots effort has demonstrated remarkable success.

Since then, we have expanded to provide four-year college scholarships, one-to-one mentoring, college and career success training, and summer internship support. As the organization grew, PCF moved into its first office and hired its first independent Executive Director in 2012, added program staff and expanded its board of directors, partnerships, and fundraising. We are now poised for greater impact.


PCF has an outstanding record of meeting local needs; 87% of PCF Scholars graduate from college within 6 years, compared to 21% of low-income, first-generation students nationwide.


PCF Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Statement

Become a Scholar

We look for talented students with outstanding academic potential who value mentoring and are motivated to contribute to their community and family.

Success in College and Beyond