Our Mission
The Chao Family Foundation believes every person has a right to reach their full potential. We aim to lift the roadblocks and give them a fighting chance to work toward improving life for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Breaking Barriers to Higher Education
At the Chao Family Foundation, we believe higher education should be within reach for every student, not limited by income, family background, or life circumstance.
Through our scholarship programs and partnerships, we support young people who face systemic barriers across different ages and demographics, many of whom are low-income and first in their families to attend college. By opening doors to education, we help students pursue their goals and create lasting change for themselves, their families, and their communities.
To date, we’ve supported 600+ students, awarding over $1M in scholarships, each investment a step toward greater equity and opportunity.
600+
Students Supported
$1M+
Scholarships Awarded
37%
First Generation College Students
96%
Minority Recipients
18+ Years
Scholarships Across All Programs
“Receiving the Chao Family Foundation scholarship has been an incredible blessing in my college journey. It gave me the freedom to fully immerse myself in learning, and most importantly, this support reminded me that someone believed in my potential from day one.
As I graduate, I carry that encouragement with me into the next chapter, hoping to create tools that empower others, just as your generosity empowered me.”
—Andy H., UCLA Class of 2025
Chao Family Foundation Scholarship Program
The Chao Family Foundation Scholarship supports graduating seniors from Los Angeles and Orange County who plan to begin full-time undergraduate studies at a UC or CSU campus.
Each year, five students receive renewable awards of $4,000 (up to $16,000 total), helping to ease the financial burden so they can focus on their education and personal growth.
At its core, this scholarship exists to remove obstacles, open doors, and provide students with the support they need to step confidently into the next chapter of their lives.
“The Chao Family Foundation Scholarship is a huge help as I prepare to attend UC Riverside this fall. It’s not just financial support, it’s encouragement and a reminder that people believe in me and what I’m working toward. That means more than I can put into words.
Thank you for the work you do to support students and families like mine. Your mission to remove roadblocks and uplift communities truly makes a difference. I’m so proud and thankful to be part of that impact.”
—Sama A., UC Riverside
Beyond Scholarships: Supporting the Whole Journey
Scholarships open doors, but students often face systemic barriers beyond financial need. Across ages and demographics, they may need guidance, stability, and practical support to navigate complex educational landscapes.
That’s why we fund and collaborate with organizations that provide long-term, holistic support. Together with our scholarship and program partners, students have access to mentorship, academic guidance, college access support, life skills, and other resources, giving them the tools to succeed at every stage of their education.
Scholarship and Program Partners
The R&J Chao Scholarship / Fellowship Fund, established in 2007, is our longest-running scholarship and has supported over 150 engineering students to date.
Through the Pearl Class Program, in partnership with Renewal Foundation, we have supported over 200 high school students in China since 2007, providing tuition and basic living needs.
In partnership with NTUT’s Department of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering Education Foundation, we established a scholarship fund in 2020 that has supported nearly 200 engineering students.
Serving Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, we've partnered with APCF since 2020 to provide annual scholarships supporting students in higher education.
MPAK supports family placement and long-term care for homeless children in Korea. Since 2018, we have supported MPAK’s programs, including 1:1 tutoring for elementary through high school students.
Partnering since 2018, CARS supports low-income, underserved students in Los Angeles through a multi-year pathway providing academic enrichment and college guidance.
First Star supports youth impacted by foster care, addressing challenges such as disrupted schooling and housing instability. Since 2024, we have supported their UCLA Bruin Guardian Scholars Academy and alumni program.
A newer partner, Determined to Succeed provides academic support, wellness services, family engagement, and college counseling for first-generation, low-income students at Hamilton High in Los Angeles.
“Chao Family Foundation has played a critical role in enabling us to fulfill our mission of creating a college pathway for underserved students from low performing high schools. Whether it is seeing 94% of students from our inaugural cohort enroll in college or witness the number of students enrolled in our program scale to more than double in less than two years, we attribute our current foundational standing and comprehensive programming to support and guidance from CFF. You truly help make college possible for our students.”
— Arif Haji, Executive Director, CARS (College Access, Readiness & Success)
“My greatest hope is not only to achieve something for myself, but to give back to society. That is why I work hard to make myself better.”
