Mission
We believe in investing in the future. Our mission is to provide need-based college scholarships for African-Americans and to advocate for and mentor our Gaines-Jones Scholars. Shown here is Danielle Turner, MD, in the days before she completed med school and before COVID-19 altered all our lives. Our work helping students fill financial aid gaps and avoid further loan debt is more crucial than ever.
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Story
Gaines-Jones Scholars was created in 2002 in memory of Mrs. Irene Gaines Jones, Dr. Betty J. Jones and Mr. Silas Jones: the family of co-founder Anita Jones Roehrick. Shown here is Flora Devine, Anita’s bestie since 8th grade; also a founding Gaines-Jones Board member who says: “It’s an honor to have a deep personal connection to an organization built on a legacy of service in education.”
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Impact
Many of our Gaines-Jones Scholars are the first in their family to attend college. We currently have three Scholars in medical residency programs; our 2017 San Francisco State Cinema major had his student film screened at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival. Our very first Scholar, pictured here, came back to give back: teaching fifth grade in Albany, GA at Radium Springs Elementary, the school he attended. Timothy Hardwick —who serves on our Board of Directors—is driven by pure grit. He says,“My predominately Black students needed to see the example of me.”
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$380KTotal Given in Scholarships
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304Total
Scholarships Awarded |
182Students Served
120 Female/62 Male |
Get Involved
Our efforts are not full-time or part-time, but strictly love-time. We are 100% volunteer- run: no brick and mortar building, minimal overhead and no staff. Streamline operations mean every dollar donated goes directly toward a Gaines-Jones scholarship. The best way to get involved and have an impact is to donate, or raise money on our behalf inside your social groups and community; at your work place, church, school or wherever you can creatively garner support for helping us help Black students graduate from college debt-free.
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MAKE A DONATION
There is a zero degree of separation between donor dollars and our Gaines-Jones Scholars. |
HOW TO FIND MORE SCHOLARSHIPS
Gaines-Jones Scholar Fanta Jamissa, a rising junior at UC Berkeley, shares her methods for finding scholarships and doing college DEBT-FREE. |
OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS & GRANTS
We search & share links to other grants and scholarships. Plus: check out our Tips for Writing College Essays. |