Stories of Giving
Philanthropist David Malcolm
“Nothing will serve someone better early in their career than a great mentor”
In San Diego, the lives of foster youth have been profoundly changed, thanks in part to the generosity of local philanthropist David Malcolm. With a $75,000 matching gift to Promises2Kids, David inspired our community to come together and double his impact, resulting in $150,000 in critical mentorship programming funding. This incredible support has been a driving force in expanding our mentorship programs, allowing us to provide even more foster youth with the stable, long-term guidance they need to thrive. “Nothing will serve someone better early in their career than a great mentor,” David explains from first-hand experience. “Mentors gave me the benefit of their experience. They helped me avoid making mistakes they might have made, and kept me moving forward, even when times were tough.”
David’s commitment to our mission isn’t just about funding; it’s about fostering hope and resilience for foster youth, a population that faces unique and often overwhelming challenges. Unlike their peers, many foster youth lack consistent adult figures who can offer the stability, encouragement, and advice that come with family support. This gap in guidance often translates to lower graduation rates, increased homelessness, and a lack of access to higher education and career opportunities.
David’s matching gift has been pivotal in allowing Promises2Kids to meet this need head-on. With the expanded funding, we have been able to grow our Guardian Scholars Program and the life-saving resource of having a mentor. Now, thanks to David’s support, this program can reach even more young people, particularly those navigating the critical transition from high school to adulthood.
Mentoring In Action
“Most people assume that as a foster child you will not achieve success in life because of prior experiences, trauma, and negative influences in our lives. But, when I was connected to my mentor, Gabby, I realized that she was the first person that I shared my story with who did not make me feel judged, criticized, or less than. Many of us do not have that in our lives. Knowing that I can turn to Gabby at any given moment for any type of support is a blessing.”
– Cassandra, Guardian Scholar
The matching challenge has also helped Promises2Kids invest in other mentorship initiatives, each tailored to the diverse needs of foster youth. Through additional funding, we’ve been able to enhance our identity-based groups, provide specialized one-on-one mentorship, and expand peer-to-peer support programs. The financial stability provided by David’s generosity has allowed us to diversify and deepen our programming, ensuring foster youth receive the right kind of mentorship at the right time in their lives.
By championing the importance of mentorship, David has inspired others to step up and support a cause that will have lasting benefits for future generations of San Diego foster youth. Because of the successful match, Promises2Kids can help foster youth break the cycle of trauma and reach their full potential, with a healthy adult relationship by their side.
Thanks to the support of donors like David Malcolm and the collective efforts of the community, Promises2Kids is helping foster youth in San Diego build brighter futures, one mentor at a time. “Good mentors are priceless,” David concludes. “This is not a gift but an investment.”
To learn how to get involved with Promises2Kids, contact Amanda at Amanda@promises2kids.org.
