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Bright Futures Educational Partnership and CalKIDS Highlight Monterey County Partnership and Community-Powered Impact Through MCGives Campaign

 

Monterey County, CA — Bright Futures Educational Partnership and CalKIDS are spotlighting the impact of their partnership in Monterey County and celebrating the success of Bright Futures’ MCGives campaign, which raised $4,610 in community donations to support local outreach and awareness efforts for CalKIDS. The total includes a $1,000 matching gift from the Community Foundation for Monterey County and $3,610 contributed by community donors.

CalKIDS is a statewide program that provides eligible public school students and newborns with state-funded scholarships of up to $1,500 to support college or career training. CalKIDS Scholarship Accounts are automatically established for eligible children and students, but families must take the step to claim them. 

In Monterey County, an estimated 77% of public school students are eligible for a CalKIDS Scholarship, and 100% of newborns born on or after July 1, 2022 are eligible. Bright Futures has become a trusted local leader in helping Monterey County families understand and claim this opportunity through clear, culturally relevant outreach.

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who supported Bright Futures through the MCGives! campaign. Thanks to your generosity, including $4,610 in community donations, we are able to expand access, close opportunity gaps, and support more students and families across Monterey County. Thank you for believing in this work,” said Tony Amezcua, Director of Bright Futures Educational Partnership. “These funds help us expand CalKIDS outreach and support families in claiming scholarships for college or career training.”

Since launching countywide outreach in early 2024, Bright Futures has helped significantly increase awareness and participation across Monterey County by partnering with schools and community organizations, training local messengers, and delivering bilingual materials and workshops that meet families where they are. Their approach reflects what families consistently ask for: straightforward information, trusted voices, and step-by-step guidance that makes it easier to take advantage of programs like CalKIDS.

“Bright Futures is demonstrating what strong community implementation looks like. When trusted local partners lead with clear messaging and outreach, families are more likely to take action and claim their scholarships,” said Cassandra DiBenedetto, Executive Director of the ScholarShare Investment Board. “The MCGives campaign adds momentum to this work, helping Monterey County families learn about CalKIDS and access funds that make a real difference as students plan for what comes after high school.”

Bright Futures’ impact has been substantial. Monterey County is now recognized as one of the leading counties statewide for CalKIDS participation, with over $11 million in scholarships secured for local students. Those funds can be used at eligible institutions, including community colleges, universities, and many career training programs.

To see if a child or student is eligible and to claim a CalKIDS Scholarship, families can visit CalKIDS.org.

For students, families will need the student’s Statewide Student Identifier (SSID), a 10-digit number, which can typically be found in the school portal, on a student’s report card, or obtained by contacting the student’s school directly. 

For newborns and children born on or after July 1, 2022, families will use the Local Registration Number (LRN), a 13-digit number found in their birth certificate materials.

Once claimed, scholarship funds are available for use when the student reaches age 17 and is enrolled at an eligible college or career training program. The funds can be used for qualified higher education expenses such as tuition and fees, books, supplies and computer equipment.

The MCGives campaign highlights how community investment can accelerate CalKIDS outreach by helping more families learn about the program and claim scholarships already established in a child’s name.

CalKIDS is administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board and reflects California’s commitment to expanding access to higher education and career pathways. Partnerships with local organizations like Bright Futures help connect families to clear information and practical support so more students can take the next step toward their future.

Families can learn more, check eligibility, and claim an account at CalKIDS.org. To learn more about Bright Futures Educational Partnership and its cradle-to-career work supporting students and families across Monterey County, visit BrightFuturesMC.org.

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About CalKIDS: The California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program (CalKIDS) is the nation’s largest child development account program, providing scholarships for higher education. Administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board, and Chaired by State Treasurer Fiona Ma, CPA, the program is designed to promote the pursuit of higher education statewide by empowering families to build assets, nurture savings habits, and raise their educational aspirations. Eligible public school students can receive CalKIDS Scholarships worth up to $1,500 and every child born in California on or after July 1, 2022, is awarded a CalKIDS Scholarship worth up to $175, ensuring more families have the resources needed to support their children’s education. To learn more, visit CalKIDS.org.

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