Empowering Hispanic Youth Through Equitable Access to Higher Education.

Cascajal Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking systemic barriers to education by providing transformative scholarships, mentorship, and community-driven resources that empower students to unlock their full potential—transforming lives, families, and communities for generations.

Since 2009, we award merit-based scholarships of up to $1,000 USD to students demonstrating academic excellence and leadership potential.

Through community-driven fundraising initiatives, we curate tailored scholarship programs designed to alleviate financial barriers. These scholarships provide critical support for partial tuition and academic expenses during students’ pivotal first semester of college or university.

Education is a cornerstone of personal and societal advancement. By investing in underserved communities, Cascajal Foundation strives to create lasting impact—transforming individual lives while fostering a more prosperous, equitable future.

Unlocking Potential, Igniting Opportunity

Cascajal Foundation empowers low-income Hispanic students to overcome systemic barriers by providing scholarships, mentorship, and community-driven resources that unlock access to higher education, foster academic success, and inspire generational change.

We believe that education is not just a pathway to individual success, but a force that ripples across generations—creating healthier families, stronger economies, and more inclusive communities. Through scholarships, mentorship, and community collaboration, we are sowing seeds for a future where no dream is deferred by circumstance.

What we do

Guided by Geneticist and President Heladio Ibarguen,
our team combines cultural insight, academic expertise,
and grassroots passion to drive meaningful change.

Scholarship Programs

Each year, we award merit-based scholarships of up to $1,000 USD to exceptional Hispanic high school seniors, easing the financial burden of their first semester in college or university.

Mentorship & Counseling

Beyond funding, we pair scholars with mentors and provide college readiness resources to ensure academic, professional, and personal success.

Our Story

Founded in 2009 under the leadership of Geneticist Heladio Ibarguen, Cascajal Foundation emerged from a critical need to address educational inequities within Hispanic communities. While our roots began in preserving Colombian Pacific Coast cultural traditions, we quickly recognized that education was the most powerful tool to drive lasting change. Today, we focus on bridging the gap between talent and opportunity, ensuring financial limitations never overshadow ambition.

Join Our Mission:

Education unlocks potential, but we cannot do it alone. Your support helps build a future where every student thrives. Together, we can turn barriers into bridges.