The Tomorrow Fund for Hispanic Students

Welcome new board members

2011-03-27T20:40:00.000-04:00

We would like to welcome Barbara Goodmon and Esther Flores to The Tomorrow Fund Advisory Board.

Barbara is the president and executive director of the AJ Fletcher Foundation. Her deep roots in our community and her commitment to Latino students and education made her a natural choice for the fund.

Esther hails from Mexico and is in North Carolina with her husband the Mexican Counsel General for both the Carolinas. Esther's understanding of an immigrant's life will be valuable to our work.

We are very fortunate to have both of these women serving on our board!

Website

2011-03-11T11:03:00.000-05:00

We apologize for any inconvenience, but we'd like to announce our new (newer) website: www.thetomorrowfundhs.org. We believe you will find this website more attractive and easier to navigate with more detail regarding our work.

Hermanas Latina Social Mentoring Kickoff Breakfast

2010-11-14T09:42:00.000-05:00

On Nov. 13, 11 young women from Meredith College gathered at a private home with several other women to kick off the new social mentoring pilot program for Hermanas Latina/The Tomorrow Fund! The students will be matched with volunteer mentors to provide the young women additional support and guidance through their college experience.

Oliver Twist Fundraiser pictures!

2010-11-12T21:32:00.001-05:00

Thank you to everyone who made it out on a Thursday night to our Oliver Twist fundraiser! It proved a successful and fun evening. Our entertainer, Mariah YJ, was fabulous. Short talks about the importance of the fund and its work were given by Andrea Bazan, Pres. Triangle Community Foundation and Brendan Moylan, TTF board member & COO of Eurosport.

Thanks also to Oliver Twist Restaurant, Chef Khaleel and

its awesome staff and delicious food! Enjoy our pictures !

Tomorrow Fund event - Please join us!

2010-11-04T07:04:00.001-04:00

JOIN US:

November 11, 2010 from 6:30 - 8:30p.m. for appetizers, entertainment and further information on The Tomorrow Fund!

Oliver Twist 8111 Creedmoor Road # 137
Raleigh, NC 27613-4387
(919) 844-4426

$50 per person

A short performance by Mariah YJ. We will be joined by Andrea Bazan, President of the Triangle Community Foundation and Brendan Moylan, COO of Eurosport and a short talk by a Tomorrow Fund student recipient.

Please RSVP by November 5: diane.lanevi@gmail.com

Article about Hermanas Latina

2010-10-05T18:45:00.001-04:00

From The Philanthropy Journal.org:

Latina giving circle launches in Raleigh

Written by: Ret Boney | October 5, 2010

Diane Evia-Lanevi, left, and Teresa Rivero

RALEIGH, N.C. - At a sold-out luncheon on the Meredith College campus Sept. 28, a new organization was launched to help smooth the path to college for Latino students in North Carolina.
Members of Hermanas Latina each will donate $150 a year to the Tomorrow Fund for Hispanic Students, a fund at the Triangle Community Foundation that in its first grant cycle this year awarded $39,000 to help young Latinos attend college.
"Our mission is a lofty one," says Diane Evia-Lanevi, founder of the Tomorrow Fund and a founding member of Hermanas Latina. "We're working to change the playing field in North Carolina for Latino students from low-income families. Every child is our child and deserves an opportunity in life."
The launch of the new effort was praised by keynote-speaker Teresa Rivero, who overseas education investments in the southeast for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
With half of Latinos dropping out of high school and only 12 percent graduating from college, Latino youth are at serious risk, says Rivero, particularly now that the economy has evolved to require higher-skills among workers.
"As Latinos, we are underprepared for the future," she says. "Unless we prepare, we'll fall farther and farther behind. We shouldn't leave graduating from high school and going to college up to luck."
As the child of Cuban immigrants, Rivero's family struggled to put her through college and she considers herself lucky to have received grants and scholarships to make graduation possible.
The Tomorrow Fund and Hermanas Latina are innovative steps in making college a reality for the young Hispanics of today, she says.
"We must ensure that the next generation is secure and that that generation of young leaders have access to a quality education," says Rivero. "We need to continue to be a strong voice in demanding a strong education for all. We need to remember the financial barriers that prevent Latinos from going to college. We need to remove those barriers."
Helping ensure the success of future Hispanic students honors the sacrifice many families made in coming to the U.S., she says.
"So many of our families came to this country for the opportunity it affords us and we have the obligation to preserve that opportunity for future generations," says Rivero.
Grants from the Tomorrow fund are awarded to North Carolina colleges and universities, which use the money to help students with college expenses, whether through scholarships or through help purchasing textbooks, computers or other necessities.
The first round of grants benefited students like Carla Mena, who came to the U.S. at age 11 and now is a junior at Meredith College majoring in biology.
Through the Tomorrow Fund grant, Meredith was able to provide the financial assistance Mena needed to stay in school, a boost she hopes can be extended to other young Latinos with college aspirations.
"A lot of these students know what they want to do and are very well educated, but because of a simple nine-digit number, they can't do it," she says. "Because of the Tomorrow Fund, I'm here and I can help others. I want to make sure that everyone has the opportunities I got."
In addition to donating to the Tomorrow Fund, members of the Hermanas Latina giving circle members will have the opportunity to serve as a mentor, either to one of the student members of the circle, or to one of the students benefiting from a Tomorrow Fund grant.
Initially, the mentoring program will be conducted in partnership with Meredith, and mentors can choose a form of communication that best suits their style and schedule, says Angie Intriago, chair of Hermanas Latina.
By providing both financial and social support, the new giving circle aims to increase the chances that the next generation will have the means not only to attend, but to complete their college careers.
"College isn't an easy thing," says Intriago, "But it's completely worth it."

Hermanas Latina Luncheon at Meredith honors two guests

2010-09-29T08:22:00.002-04:00

Diane Evia-Lanevi, TTF chair, Teresa Rivero Gates Foundation and Keynote Speaker, and Guests of Honor: Andrea Bazan Pres. of Triangle Community Foundation and Esther de Flores, Mexican Consular

Teresa Rivero


Ingemar Lanevi (one of the TTF founders) &Mexican Consular General Carlos Flores and his lovely wife, Esther

Meredith College President Maureen Hartford welcomes over 70 guests

Glenda Tomorrow Fund Recipient at Meredith

Carla, Tomorrow Fund Recipient at Meredith, and Diane

Teresa, Diane and Andrea

Meredith College hosted a wonderful (and delicious) luncheon yesterday for The Tomorrow Fund and the launch of Hermanas Latina. At the luncheon, Sandra Rodriguez, TTF Board member and Triangle Community Foundation staff member, announced that this past first year of the TTF grants were made in honor of Andrea Bazan, local and nationally recognized Latina/o advocate.

The luncheon featured Esther de Flores and Andrea as our guests of honor. They are great examples and role models for young Latinas. Our keynote speaker was Teresa Rivero of The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. We appreciate Teresa taking them time from her very busy schedule and coming to Durham to address our guests with a wonderful speech.

We are grateful to all our guests and, particularly, to President Maureen Hartford, Dr. Danny Green and Ms. Donna Knott of Meredith College for their work admitting, enrolling and supporting Latinas at their college. Check out more photos on our Facebook Group Page: The Tomorrow Fund for Hispanic Students. http://http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=114366445207

Our first Enewsletter!

2010-09-24T14:39:00.000-04:00

visit:
http://p0.vresp.com/34k1uh

to read our first newsletter of The Tomorrow Fund!
If you'd like to be added to our email list, please send me a message.

Hermanas Latina Luncheon

2010-09-04T12:25:00.004-04:00

The Tomorrow Fund for Hispanic Students and Meredith College

are hosting a luncheon for The Tomorrow Fund's

Hermanas Latina Circle

Learn how some of North Carolina's Latina leaders are helping to changeLatino students'lives through their philanthropic efforts.

Guests of Honor:
Andrea Bazán
President, Triangle Community Foundation
&
Esther de Flores
Consulate General of Mexico

Keynote speaker:
Teresa Rivero
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

September 28, 2010 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

For questions or fuether information please call:
Sandra Rodríguez, Triangle Community Foundation 919-474-8370 sandra@trianglecf.org

A one time appeal on behalf of a music student...

2010-08-25T17:57:00.002-04:00

"An international graduate student on a student visa from México is seeking
a cosigner for a student loan for 2010-2011, that is this academic year.
This is a legitimate request and verifiable through the student's school.
He is completing his Masters degree at the New England Conservatory (NEC)
of Music in Boston, and I have been his cosigner since he was an
undergraduate student at Berklee College of Music, also in Boston. This
year, after several years of being an acceptable cosigner, I was denied by
Sallie Mae.

The student spoke with his Chair at NEC, and the school made a much
appreciated but modest adjustment in his financial aid package. His school
has always invested in him because of both need and merit, as part of his
funding is based on auditions. However, he really needs more substantial
funding, and the Sallie Mae loan package has, in past years, always been
sufficient to cover his outstanding tuition balance, books, supplies,
transportation, meals and housing. Currently, scholarships are very limited
for international students from Mexico. Additionally, students from Mexico
are required to have a cosigner on student loans.

Cosigners are usually released from the loan contract within three years or
less under most student loan programs; when a person co-signs, s/he is
sharing the responsibility of loan repayment should anything prevent the
student from making payments. Once the student begins to make payments and
does so regularly for a period of time determined by the lending
organization, the co-signer is automatically and permanently released from
that shared responsibility. The loan amount is determined by the student's
school and has been in the $30,000 range for this student. Because being a
co-signer presents financial risk for the co-signer, full references and
recommendations for the student from his school would be available,
including proof of enrollment, past academic performance and, of course, a
phone meeting with the student or a face-to-face meeting if the co-signer
is able to travel to Boston. Skype conferencing is another possibility.
Again, this is a legitimate and urgent request, so all attempts to respond
to a co-signer's request for information will be made.

Please contact me, Marta Sánchez, doctoral student at the University of
North
Carolina at Chapel Hill, at caracol@email.unc.edu, or at 336-269-5081 if
you would be interested in learning more about this case or in assisting
this student by being his cosigner."

$52,000!

2010-08-19T18:48:00.002-04:00

The numbers are in and during the first year of the fund, we raised $52,000! As previously stated, this past June we made $39,000 in grants. Our donors and supporters are changing not only the lives of N.C. Latino students, but the lives of those students' families.

Article on The Tomorrow Fund in Philanthropy Journal

2010-07-20T19:08:00.000-04:00

The following article appeared today in the Philanthropy Journal, written by Ret Boney. Our appreciation to them for covering the fund's work. As of early June, we'd raised approximately $49,000!

Tomorrow Fund awards inaugural grants

Ret Boney | July 20, 2010

DURHAM, N.C. -- A new charitable fund has awarded a total of $39,000 to three North Carolina colleges, which will use the money to smooth the path to higher education for young Latinos.

The Tomorrow Fund for Hispanic Students, administered by the Triangle Community Foundation, was created in the fall of 2009 and awarded its first round of grants this summer, with Meredith College, North Carolina A&T and High Point University each receiving $13,000.

Unlike a traditional scholarship fund, the Tomorrow Fund awards grants directly to schools, which in turn use the money either to help Hispanic students with school-related expenses, or to improve the college experience for Hispanics.

"Realizing that Hispanic students often come from families with high levels of poverty, and many are the first in their families to attend college, they asked colleges and universities to apply for grants," Andrea Bazán, president of the Triangle Community Foundation, says of the fund's advisory committee. "I think it's a unique way to increase access to higher education for Hispanic students."

The fund was created in August of last year by Diane Evia-Lanevi, a former journalist whose family came to the U.S. from Cuba when she was a child.

During its first year, the fund raised $42,000 and aims to exceed that amount in it second year.

Evia-Lanevi will have help from the Tomorrow Fund's three advisory boards.

Its local advisory board is made up of 10 individuals, including Pilar Rocha-Goldberg, head of El Centro Hispano, and Nayely Perez-Huerta of El Pueblo.

The six-member corporate advisory board includes Brad Wilson, CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, who hosted a fundraiser for the fund, bringing in almost $10,000.

And its national advisory board includes advocates like Teresa Rivero, program officer for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

"Knowing these folks, I know they'll want to exceed what they did last year," says Bazán.

Congratulations to...

2010-06-18T12:26:00.002-04:00

We congratulate Meredith College, NC A & T, and High Point University for being the first recipients of a Tomorrow Fund grant.

The Meredith College $13,000 grant was made in honor of Andrea Bazan for her leadership and commitment to our community and both local and national Latino issues.

Multiple students will be the beneficiaries of these grants! One school will award their $13,000 to one deserving student; the other schools plan on dividing their grants between numerous students. Congratulations to these three schools for their work in recruiting and enrolling talented Hispanic students in our state!!

Our first grants!

2010-06-02T18:06:00.000-04:00

Last week our grant committee met to review grant applications. We decided to award three grants.(Letters go out this week notifying the selected schools.) We are so pleased for these schools and the students they will help with these grants. More details about these grants will be announced shortly.

Our greatest appreciation to our donors and our advisory committees.Our next step? More fundraising!

Check out our new website www.thetomorrowfundhispanicstudents.org - a work in progress!

Emily K Center, Hispanic parents, & the Road to College

2010-05-06T22:12:00.004-04:00

This evening I spoke to a group of about 15 parents at the Emily K Center in Durham. Staff at the center invited me to speak to this small group of Hispanic parents on the topic of college access. These parents have their children enrolled in the center's after school programs.

I was impressed by the parents at the talk tonight and their motivation to begin thinking about how to get their children in college. My talk started at the beginning: What is a four year college; what is a university; a BA versus a Master's program; how in the US you have to 'qualify' to get into college unlike in Latin America; federal financial aid; private scholarships, and so on. The two questions we would circle back to? "Is it possible for our children, as immigrants, to attend college?" and "How do we afford it?"

I spent a great deal of time discussing what financial aid is, how they access it and does or does not qualify for federal assistance. However, unlike most American families who've saved practically since the birth of their children, most of these families will not be able to send their children to college because they simply cannot afford the financial aid gap they will face upon being admitted to a school. The lucky ones will be the highly gifted students receiving a full scholarship (not all highly gifted kids receive full scholarships, though). For the others, the families will struggle to find the thousands of dollars they are expected to contribute - even if they are very low income. Some of the families will somehow meet the need and others will not.

We are wasting students and their potential, as well as diminishing our country's economic, intellectual and global positioning by not providing greater educational access for these Latino students. The Tomorrow Fund will make grants in late May, however, the demand is so great that we are unable to meet the needs of most of these North Carolinian students. And, that is a true shame.

Requests for Proposals!

2010-04-21T03:26:00.004-04:00

We are very excited to announce that we will be inviting a select number of colleges to apply for a grant in the coming weeks. We will announce the grant recipients in early June.

At last all the hard work of the past 8 months comes to fruition! At least several students will benefit from our grants to help bridge their financial aid gap. Please keep in mind that Hispanic students in the U.S. receive the least amount of financial aid, but they have the great financial need of all minorities. We hope to address at least some of that need with our grants to colleges and make their college enrollment possible.

Hermanas Latina and....

2010-04-19T20:20:00.003-04:00

We will be hosting an event late May or late June for the Hermanas Latina women's group of The Tomorrow Fund for Hispanic Students. Today I received a call from Gabriela Zabala the Director of Hispanic Affairs for Governor Perdue. Gabriela is a dynamic leader wanting to help Latino students in our state.

We will be collaborating with their office for this upcoming event - a fundraiser for the fund with proceeds going to Meredith College for all the work they do with Latina students. Stay tuned for details!

Wilson Fundraiser raises just under $10,000!

2010-03-25T20:29:00.016-04:00

Our greatest appreciation to Carole and Brad Wilson for opening their home to a cocktail reception on behalf of The Tomorrow Fund for Hispanic Students. (Brad is CEO for Blue Cross Blue Shield and Carole is a community volunteer).

The Wilsons raised just under$10,000 for the fund! This was a very successful event thanks to the Wilsons and we are very grateful to them!

Attorney General Roy Cooper, former Gov. Jim Hunt and several staff members of Gov. Perdue's office also attended. Andrea Bazan was the keynote speaker and Governor Hunt made several remarks on the importance of The Tomorrow Fund for Hispanic students. Many other gracious and generous North Carolinians attended this private fundraiser.

The Tomorrow Fund seeks to bridge the financial aid gap for NC Hispanic students through grants to post-secondary institutions in our state. The reach of our work is only as successful as our fundraising. Thank you for your support and interest in this important initiative.

New National Advisory Cmte. member!

2010-03-02T19:50:00.003-05:00

We welcome new National Advisory Committee member Teresa Rivero, a senior program officer with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. We are very excited to have Teresa join the committee. She has significant experience working with nonprofits and foundations, particularly in the area of education. Teresa is Cuban and grew up in Miami. She will be a tremendous asset in advising the fund.

3rd Annual Coalition for College Access State-Wide Summit

2010-02-28T21:26:00.003-05:00

I spoke at the 3rd Annual Coalition for College Access State-Wide Summit this afternoon to talk about The Tomorrow Fund. I was there in time to hear them re-cap the day's sessions and I came away terribly impressed with these high school and college students. Congratulations to these future leaders of our country. Great job Ron Bilbao for organizing this summit.

Board Retreat and fundraising

2010-02-23T22:09:00.004-05:00

The advisory board of The Tomorrow Fund met last Saturday morning for a fundraising planning retreat. It was a very productive four hours with lots of engagement by our board members and lots of ideas. One of our board members will be hosting a cocktail reception in their home as a fundraiser for the fund in March. We are very excited for their generosity and look forward to this event.

The board decided to begin making grants this spring to NC colleges and universities to use for Latino students. The need is so great; we look forward to assisting as much as possible.

It's estimated that by 2018, one out of every 3 students graduating from a NC high school will be Hispanic (and documented, by the way!) If you want to make a difference in the future of North Carolina's economy and in the future of a Hispanic student, please consider a donation to the fund.

New Corporate Board Member!

2010-01-26T17:21:00.001-05:00

Welcome new corporate board member: Jaime Cardenas, CEO & Founder, AC & M Group, Charlotte, NC. His firm will be helping The Tomorrow Fund pro-bono! Thank you, Jaime!

Jaime Cardenas is a Mechanical Engineer with an MBA from Wake Forest University in Winston Salem, N.C. Five years ago when he decided to switch careers and to found AC&M Group, he never imagined he would be sitting down to discuss marketing strategy with CEOs and senior marketing executives of companies like Stanley Tools, Comex Group, National Gypsum, Televisa or MLS. Experience has taught him that when you are passionate about what you do, you are sure to make a greater impact and draw people's attention in the process.

Need has a Name

2010-01-14T11:11:00.003-05:00

The number of talented and college-ready Hispanic students in North Carolina is growing. So is their financial need. This past week, those numbers became very real to me during three conversations:

I spoke to a North Carolina man who, with the help of his extended family, has mentored and assisted a young Latina with her college tuition (she pays out of state tuition as an undocumented student). However, as she enters her senior year, they are running out of funding. He is desperately reaching out to anyone and everyone he can in search of scholarships or donations. She's a great student, has worked part time throughout her education and volunteered extensively within the community and on her campus. Without funding, she will have to drop out with only months to go. $13,000 stands between her and her diploma.

The other mentor I heard from is an American woman helping a young woman she says is extraordinarily motivated to attend university. She arrived in America in 6th grade with no English skills. Today she is fluent, has a 3.8 GPA and is already receiving acceptances to numerous colleges. The problem? She receives no federal financial aid - thereby, limiting her options. This student is so motivated, she's already figured out the bus schedules to various local universities. She will probably have to live off campus in order to not pay for room and board and have less funding to raise.

The third phone call was both inspiring and frustrating. This Chatham County young man, a student leader with great grades and SATs, has begun his college application process with little guidance as to where to turn for funding or even where to apply considering his circumstances. His motivation to complete college and become a lobbyist for disadvantaged populations is compelling. At his age, he should only be full of hope and excitement as he gets ready to begin the next phase of his life. Instead he's worried about his future.

These are only three stories of the hundreds in our state. The good news: these three students aren't giving up yet and they are working hard. These mentors - and countless others - are crossing cultural and ethnic borders. They believe in the potential of these students as we all should.

The Tomorrow Fund: A Phone-Raiser to benefit The Tomorrow Fund

2010-01-02T21:13:00.000-05:00

The Tomorrow Fund: A Phone-Raiser to benefit The Tomorrow Fund

A Phone-Raiser to benefit The Tomorrow Fund

2010-01-02T21:10:00.000-05:00

The Tomorrow Fund needs your OLD CELL PHONES!

Please email: therightway@kachengo.com and tell them you have an old cell phone (or several) to send in for recycling through them and Kachengo will donate back to the fund some of the profits! You MUST tell them it's for The Tomorrow Fund.

Learn more about this social responsible company at:
kachengo.com.

And, please, send in your old, no-longer-used cell phones for The Tomorrow Fund's phone-raiser!

Thank you

We welcome new corporate board member: Edward Rojas,

2009-12-21T12:50:00.003-05:00

We are happy to announce that
Edward Rojas, Member, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice PLLC
has joined the corporate advisory committee of The Tomorrow Fund.

Ed is Cuban-American and moved to Raleigh, North Carolina last year from New York City with his family. He is interested in education and Hispanic issues. We look forward to working with Ed!

Colleges, Financial Aid and The Tomorrow Fund for Hispanic Students

2009-12-19T20:09:00.000-05:00

This past week I spoke before the annual meeting of Admissions Officers for North Carolina independent colleges and universities. I spoke about The Tomorrow Fund for Hispanic students, including our mission to bridge the financial aid gap faced by Latino students and our desire to see more Latino diversity on North Carolina campuses – irrespective of immigration status.

The encouraging news is that many of these schools do admit Latino students without regard to immigration status. We applaud those schools for their forward thinking perspective.

However, admitting and enrolling are two different things. Many schools are happy to admit, but sadly lack the private funds to provide sufficient aid to the students in need.

Listening to some of the directors during the question and answer portion of my talk, I realized more than ever how much North Carolina truly needs a college fund (or funding) for our Latino youth. Hispanic students need to be able to enroll, attend, and complete college. The Tomorrow Fund hopes to make this possible through grants.

While the advisory board of The Tomorrow Fund is committed to raising funds, and is working hard to do so, our resources alone are insufficient. To tackle the enormity of the financial needs faced by Latino youth in our state, we need your help. If you believe in improving access to all academically qualified Latino students in our state, we ask you to help us raise awareness and raise money. For those able to donate, it can be done online at: www.trianglecf.org or through sending a check to the Triangle Community Foundation for The Tomorrow Fund.

As our state debates community college access, we hope our Latino high school students remain engaged, hopeful and motivated to attend college in our state. Moreover, that lack of funding does not stand between them and a diploma and that The Tomorrow Fund is able to bridge the financial need for these students.

Feliz Navidad a todos... Here's to a strong 2010 for all!

Regards,
Diane Evia-Lanevi
on behalf of the Advisory Board of The Tomorrow Fund

Three distinguished Hermanas Latina!

2009-12-07T12:55:00.002-05:00

Welcome to Hermanas Latina:

Olma Echeverri, FLXON Inc. Charlotte, NC

Yvonne Cerna, Univision, Raleigh, NC

Maria Luisa Wilson, Allen Tate Realtors, Raleigh, NC

Together - Latinas can do anything!

Asking for a little help sometimes...

2009-11-30T16:58:00.003-05:00

Sometimes we have to ask others for a little help. The Tomorrow Fund is no different - and I'm certainly not shy about asking for help when I know someone knows more than me! Over the last several months, I've turned to Andrea Bazan repeatedly for help and guidance with The Tomorrow Fund. She's been a terrific mentor and advisor and I'm fortunate to call her my friend.

What we are trying to accomplish in North Carolina with The Tomorrow Fund has already been done - to a large degree - in several other states. And, there are many before us with great experience in Latino advocacy issues and education access for Latinos. Andrea put us in touch with several folks at a national level of experience in Latino issues. And so, why re-invent the wheel?

The first question they each asked me: "You're a local fund, no?" I answered that indeed we were, but that we could really use their national experience and connections - along the same lines of national organizations supporting local causes closely aligned to their beliefs. After all, Hispanic kids living in North Carolina today may find themselves living elsewhere in the U.S. tomorrow.

As Latinos we are divided by geography, but united by community and culture. In my lifetime alone, I have lived in Massachusetts, California, Florida, London, England and Geneva Switzerland. These two generous gentlemen immediately agreed to help however they could.

We are very lucky to have, and to announce, our first two inaugural members of a national advisory committee. These two esteemed leaders have done much for Latinos on a national stage and we're very fortunate to have them advising us here in North Carolina. We hope they will soon be joined by several others.

Our appreciation to:

Steven Wolfe Pereira, Managing Partner, Wolfe Media Ventures, LLC, NYC
Ricardo Oquendo, Partner, Davidoff Malito & Hutcher, LLP, NYC

Thank you on this Thanksgiving week...

2009-11-25T08:51:00.001-05:00

In this week of reflection, I thank each of you for your support of Hispanic students' access to college. This is bigger than The Tomorrow Fund. This is about creating pathways for students to access college - irrespective of their ability to pay or because of where they were born. All academically qualified kids should have fair and equal access to college. And, we are extremely grateful to those institutions blind to ability to pay and to immigration status.

On behalf of the advisory board of The Tomorrow Fund, and on behalf of Andrea Bazan who's long worked on this issue of access, I thank you for your support. We can't sustain this fund on our own and we can't advocate on behalf of these students on our own. It truly takes a village to affect change. Thank you for being a part of our village.

Diane Evia-Lanevi
and the advisory board of The Tomorrow Fund.

Hermanas Latinas for Tomorrow

2009-11-23T09:22:00.002-05:00

Hermanas Latinas is a new group being formed of philanthropic Latina women interested in helping college-bound Latino youth. The group is open to anyone interested in joining.

Members commit to making a donation between $150 - $500. We believe this is not only a great way for us as Hispanic women to support our Hispanic youth, but a great way to extend our philanthropic power as professionals, as women, and as immigrants. It's a great way to influence change in our state. We welcome you to join us!

Hermanas Latinas will be represented by one of their members on the advisory board of the fund. They will receive recognition in our fund information, but, more importantly, they will know that they are making a difference in the lives of Hispanic youth education in North Carolina. Eres nuestra hermana?

The Tomorrow Fund: Join our Facebook Page!

2009-11-23T08:55:00.000-05:00

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=app_2373072738&gid=114366445207#/group.php?v=wall&gid=114366445207

Join our Facebook Page!

2009-11-23T08:54:00.001-05:00

One Young Man's Struggle to College...

2009-11-16T21:25:00.001-05:00

A young man I've been mentoring for several years is in his senior year of high school at a North Carolina private school. He is a very good student, popular, involved in student govt (v.p. actually) presidents of clubs, etc. He is currently filling in his college applications and moving one step closer to his dream of becoming a physician. He is working harder than anyone I've ever known to get into college.

This young man has been in the U.S., and specifically in NC, since the age of 4. It is the only home he's ever known. For now, his dreams stop at the doors of North Carolina's colleges and universities while he waits to learn whether he will pursue not just his dream, but the dream of his parents who brought him to this country in hopes of offering him a better life.

In the coming months, he will learn whether he's been accepted into a North Carolina college and whether he will receive sufficient funding.

The Tomorrow Fund was born out of his experience and that of thousands of others across our state - kids anxious to attend college and improve their station in life. I am working hard to build this fund because these kids deserve a chance.

I hope you will support the fund in some way, if you have not already. Thank you.

Updates on fundraising...

2009-11-09T20:34:00.000-05:00

Currently, we have raised about $20,000 since August; with an additional $5,000 pledged in Andrea's honor by a donor. (total would then be $25,000 for some quick math! :)
The IBM Hispanic RTP group is scheduling a fundraiser for The Tomorrow Fund:

Date: Wednesday, December 9 in the evening
Venue: Wine Styles
Format: Wine tasting per glass and hors d'œuvre

I hope some of you can join us at this event for a short while. Details will be posted on our blog: www.thetomorrowfund.blogspot.com

I am scheduled to speak in mid-December about the fund to the directors of admissions for NC private colleges and universities.
I encourage you to follow more regular updates on our blog by becoming a 'follower'.

Sangria Sunday raises money for The Tomorrow Fund

2009-10-26T19:59:00.004-04:00

The Sangria Sunday fundraiser on October 25 raised almost $3,000 in two hours for The Tomorrow Fund. Approximately 38 people attended the function where Andrea Bazan spoke about the fund and its importance and Teresa Fernandez - with her beautiful and sultry voice - sang some traditional Hispanic songs. Catering was offered by Oliver Twist and the Sangria was made by Sandra Rodriguez and her husband, Brian Payst.

Thank you to everyone who attended this event and contributed to the fund! Every dollar counts toward changing a student's life through a Tomorrow Fund grant at a North Carolina college.

Reprint of Article in the Philanthropy Journal

2009-10-14T10:48:00.003-04:00

New fund aims to send Latinos to college

By: Ret Boney, The Philanthropy Journal | October 13, 2009

DURHAM, N.C. - Diane Evia-Lanevi's parents fled political persecution in Cuba when she was 13 months old, landed in Miami and started working to rebuild their lives and provide a future for their daughter.

Evia-Lanevi went on to graduate from college, become a journalist and raise a family of her own.

While enduring racism as a child and navigating a nearly all-white college in north Florida was difficult, Evia-Lanevi believes the struggles for immigrants today are greater.

"We had automatic green-card status, so we were privileged in that there was an immediate ability to work," she says of political refugees from Cuba. "It's a different wave of immigrants now and they're facing quite a lot of discrimination."

Today, Evia-Lanevi's goal is to provide a broader range of opportunity to young Latinos in North Carolina by making college possible.

On Aug. 16, she and her husband, an immigrant from Sweden, launched the Tomorrow Fund for Hispanic Students with a $5,500 donation.

They're planning another gift for later in the year, have donations and pledges from a few other people, and aim to raise $100,000 during the first year of the fund's life.

"I want to guarantee that more Hispanic students in North Carolina obtain their college degrees and help influence diversity on our campuses," Evia-Lanevi says. "It will help our state in the end to have an educated populace."

If all goes well, the first award will be made this coming spring in honor of Andrea Bazan, a long-time advocate for Hispanics and the president of the Triangle Community Foundation, which houses the Tomorrow Fund.

Bazan says having the first grant made in her name will be an honor, and she is proud that the community foundation is administering the fund.

"It's a very important step we're taking to have a fund that is going to be able to give funds for a school to make college a reality for students," she says. "These are first-generation college applicants and they are not coming from families that have means at all."

Rather than providing scholarship money directly to students, the fund will make grants to North Carolina colleges, which will use the funds to pave the way for students.

That could be through tuition support, or by providing funds for a host of other college-related costs, like clothing, luggage or travel expenses.

"We hope that these grants will serve as a bridge for these colleges and these students," says Evia-Lenevi.

By providing flexible funding that can be used as colleges see fit, she hopes to help stem not only the increasing high-school drop-out rate among Latino youth, but the large numbers who don't complete college once they start.

While the Tomorrow Fund and its advisory board will not be involved in choosing the individual students the money benefits, it requires that students be residents of North Carolina for at least two years, have graduated from a high school in the state and have financial need.

The fund's intent is that awards be open to students regardless of their documentation status.

And the advisory board of the fund hopes to stay involved with the students throughout their four years of college, says Evia-Lanevi.

"The board has committed to working with the colleges to make sure there's some sort of support system for these students," she says. "Specifically mentors, and preferably someone who is first-generation college."

Currently, the fund's advisory board stands at 12 people, and includes well-known leaders like Brad Wilson, CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, and Tony Asion, executive director of El Pueblo.

The early enthusiasm for the effort is encouraging, says Bazan.

"I'm very pleased to see the number of people who have been willing to take part in the fund through contributing and being on the advisory board," she says. "This is giving people a chance to take some action while we're waiting for policy changes at the state and local level."

Right now, the fund plans to award grants only to private colleges in the state, but will revisit that decision at the first full meeting of the advisory board later this month.

To increase support for the fund among Hispanics, Evia-Lanevi also is launching the Latino Business Giving Circle, whose members each will donate $1,000 a year to the fund.

She is aiming for 10 members, a goal she says in conservative.

"Latino philanthropy is in its beginning stages," she says. "There is now starting to be enough giving power among Latinos that I'd like to see Latinos helping Latinos. There are those of us out there than can afford to give."

For Evia-Lanevi, the Tomorrow Fund is a way not only to boost Latino youth and strengthen the state, it is a way to give back to the country that took her in.

"I was a political refugee, he is an economic refugee, and our daughter is from China," she says of her family. "As immigrants who have been fortunate, we should do whatever we can do."

Latino Business Giving Circle - Latinos helping Latinos

2009-10-08T08:21:00.003-04:00

We are in the process of launching the Latino Business Giving Circle of The Tomorrow Fund. We feel it's important that professional and successful Latino immigrants from earlier waves of immigration to the U.S. be or become philanthropic contributors within our own community. Many of us have the income, influence and interest. The LBGC provides opportunity.

The Latino Business Giving Circle is one way for Latinos in the North Carolina to pool their charitable contributions and make a difference in the education of a Hispanic student. This giving circle will work under the umbrella of The Tomorrow Fund's parameters. Using the funds raised by their giving circle, they will select an institutional recipient (it must be a post-secondary institution using the funds for the benefit of a Latino student).

Latinos may join the circle with a contribution of $1,000 made in one payment or broken down into quarterly installments of $250. Their names or businesses will be recognized in print material for the giving circle and all contributions are tax deductible through the Triangle Community Foundation.

Anyone interested in joining the Latino Business Giving Circle is encouraged to contact Sandra Rodriguez at the Triangle Community Foundation (919) 474-8370 or Diane Evia-Lanevi at diane.lanevi@gmail.com

We will be posting the progress of the giving circle in future posts.

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Raleigh!

2009-09-24T19:06:00.000-04:00

I have just returned from a small reception of approximately 30 people invited to meet with Bill and Melinda Gates at the Cardinal Club in Raleigh.

Melinda spoke about their foundation; Bill spoke about the two days of visiting in NC. They both praised NC for our efforts in education.

The event was very humbling for me as I was surrounded by some of the 'powerhouses' of North Carolina education in the room, including former Gov. Jim Hunt (he was as charming as ever and remembered me); President Brodhead of Duke (yes I told him about The Tomorrow Fund); the head of the Community Colleges; Bill Harrison, Chairman of the NC Public Schools, and so on...

The reception was a great opportunity to get the name of The Tomorrow Fund out there with some key people doing important work in North Carolina.

National Latino Fund Alliance Meeting in NYC

2009-09-13T13:49:00.002-04:00

I've just returned from New York City where I was invited to attend the annual meeting of the National Latino Fund Alliance sponsored by the Hispanic Federation. I felt very fortunate to join this great group of people. This small group has been successfully working together for years!

They spend 1.5 days discussing best practices, fund-raising, exchanging ideas, concerns and plans. It was extremely beneficial for me to be there and I was greatly encouraged by this group's longstanding success in their respective states and as an alliance. There were funds from as far as San Francisco, south Texas, Colorado and Chicago - most have been in existence for years. Yes, not only are there Hispanics in those states, but many have plenty of money and interest in Latino causes to be considered major donors & supporters to those funds.

While North Carolina is considered a 'new Hispanic state' meaning our Hispanic population is more recent in comparison to those states, Hispanics in our state will soon arrive at the same level of socio-economic and political power as Hispanics in other states. It is the natural cycle of immigration.

I will be pursuing the ideas and suggestions made to me during the meetings and I feel encouraged that with some hard work (and support from others in North Carolina), we, too, can build The Tomorrow Fund into a successful Latino fund and put North Carolina on the national map of Latino funds. Many thanks to the lovely folks I met of the National Latino Fund Alliance!!

Thank you!

2009-08-26T16:58:00.002-04:00

Thank you to those who've already donated to this valuable cause or have volunteered to support or assist in some way. It takes a village of a variety of help.

In the first month of the fund, we've raised a little more than $8,000 with more still coming in and various meetings scheduled to discuss the fund.

At the Meredith event earlier in August, former Governor Jim Hunt was the keynote speaker. He quoted an interesting fact: within the next few years, one out of every 3 students graduating from an NC high school will be Hispanic and documented (legal). Guess which way those students will be voting on immigrant issues?

I hope you or your company will consider supporting this initiative in some way. Also, we now have a Facebook group page and a cause page. The cause page has over 260 members as of today!

Thank you!
Diane

Updates on The Tomorrow Fund

2009-08-22T15:23:00.003-04:00

We're generating a lot of interest and we're now working on more media exposure. This is a story worth telling, don't you think?!

We've had 200 people join the Facebook Cause page for The Tomorrow Fund! That's great! We've also raised several thousand dollars in recent weeks and that, too, is fabulous - but it's going to take a lot more to make a difference.

If you'd like to help the fund and this great cause, please consider helping us to fund raise if you are able/interested/willing. It's going to take tens of thousands of dollars each year to make an impact and make a difference for Hispanic students at NC private colleges. As the Tomorrow Fund creator, I believe you have a right to pursue post-secondary education - despite your immigration status. The Tomorrow Fund wants to work with colleges to help make this happen. Together, we can make this happen!

Fundraising ideas:
Youth groups can host fund raisers such as car washes, bake sales, etc. Every little bit counts! Is it your birthday? Ask your friends to donate to this cause in your name - remember donations can be made directly online at the TRIANGLE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION website, under the name of The Tomorrow Fund! Do you like a good party? Host a cocktail party, tea party, or a luncheon fundraiser in honor of The Tomorrow Fund!

Thank you for being a part of The Tomorrow Fund! Together - SI SE PUEDE!

Levantate North Carolina!

2009-08-07T22:49:00.002-04:00

Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina hosted "Levantate North Carolina" a lovely event honoring Andrea Bazan, president of the Triangle Community Foundation, for all her Latino advocacy work in North Carolina.

Several speakers, including former Governor Jim Hunt, gave moving tributes of Andrea. Toward the end of the event, The Tomorow Fund was announced and officially launched after a short introductory speech. Hopefully, something very positive will come from the announcement at that event; the fund will need to fundraise in order to have a significant impact in the lives of NC's Hispanic students.

Meredith College's leadership in recent years with regard to Hispanic student admissions is commendable and to be lauded. They have been very forward thinking in their admissions and financial aid policies. They serve today as a model for other colleges' admissions programs - tomorrow!

Thank you, President Maureen Hartford, Danny Green and everyone at Meredith!

THE BIRTH OF THE TOMORROW FUND!

2009-08-07T14:37:00.004-04:00

Welcome to The Tomorrow Fund blog!

Please feel free to subscribe or return frequently for updates on the fund and its progress - hopefully, there WILL be progress to report!

The fund was created to help North Carolina's Hispanic students realize their dreams of a college education. It was also created to encourage Hispanic student to not give up on their education and to encourage North Carolina colleges to admit more Hispanic students.

The Tomorrow Fund, although, in its early fundraising phase, will seek to provide grants to North Carolina’s small, private colleges to educate qualified Hispanic students in the state regardless of their immigration status.

Many of North Carolina's high school Hispanic students, particularly undocumented students, are either dropping out or graduating with little to no hope of attending or affording a college education in our state. The Tomorrow Fund seeks to change all this.

Join us in our efforts to create change and opportunity! "Si se puede!"

The Tomorrow Fund for Hispanic Students

Welcome new board members

Website

Hermanas Latina Social Mentoring Kickoff Breakfast

Oliver Twist Fundraiser pictures!

Tomorrow Fund event - Please join us!

JOIN US:

November 11, 2010 from 6:30 - 8:30p.m. for appetizers, entertainment and further information on The Tomorrow Fund!

Oliver Twist 8111 Creedmoor Road # 137Raleigh, NC 27613-4387(919) 844-4426

$50 per person

A short performance by Mariah YJ. We will be joined by Andrea Bazan, President of the Triangle Community Foundation and Brendan Moylan, COO of Eurosport and a short talk by a Tomorrow Fund student recipient.

Please RSVP by November 5: diane.lanevi@gmail.com

Article about Hermanas Latina

From The Philanthropy Journal.org:

Latina giving circle launches in Raleigh

Hermanas Latina Luncheon at Meredith honors two guests

Our first Enewsletter!

Hermanas Latina Luncheon

A one time appeal on behalf of a music student...

$52,000!

Article on The Tomorrow Fund in Philanthropy Journal

Congratulations to...

Our first grants!

Emily K Center, Hispanic parents, & the Road to College

Requests for Proposals!

Hermanas Latina and....

Wilson Fundraiser raises just under $10,000!

New National Advisory Cmte. member!

3rd Annual Coalition for College Access State-Wide Summit

Board Retreat and fundraising

New Corporate Board Member!

Need has a Name

The Tomorrow Fund: A Phone-Raiser to benefit The Tomorrow Fund

A Phone-Raiser to benefit The Tomorrow Fund

We welcome new corporate board member: Edward Rojas,

Colleges, Financial Aid and The Tomorrow Fund for Hispanic Students

Three distinguished Hermanas Latina!

Welcome to Hermanas Latina:

Olma Echeverri, FLXON Inc. Charlotte, NC

Yvonne Cerna, Univision, Raleigh, NC

Maria Luisa Wilson, Allen Tate Realtors, Raleigh, NC

Together - Latinas can do anything!

Asking for a little help sometimes...

As Latinos we are divided by geography, but united by community and culture. In my lifetime alone, I have lived in Massachusetts, California, Florida, London, England and Geneva Switzerland. These two generous gentlemen immediately agreed to help however they could.

Thank you on this Thanksgiving week...

Hermanas Latinas for Tomorrow

The Tomorrow Fund: Join our Facebook Page!

Join our Facebook Page!

One Young Man's Struggle to College...

Updates on fundraising...

Sangria Sunday raises money for The Tomorrow Fund

Reprint of Article in the Philanthropy Journal

New fund aims to send Latinos to college

Latino Business Giving Circle - Latinos helping Latinos

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Raleigh!

National Latino Fund Alliance Meeting in NYC

Thank you!

Updates on The Tomorrow Fund

Levantate North Carolina!

THE BIRTH OF THE TOMORROW FUND!

Oliver Twist 8111 Creedmoor Road # 137
Raleigh, NC 27613-4387
(919) 844-4426