Making Hope Happen Foundation

The Making Hope Happen Foundation is building a better community through philanthropy, education, and empowering citizens to drive grassroots solutions to improve the quality of life in San Bernardino. In 2021, the San Bernardino City Unified School District embraced Gallop senior scientist Shane J. Lopez’s research, which promotes the “power of hope” as a primary driver of community change. Hope allows people to envision a better future, design a path toward that future, and take purposeful steps to achieve it. Everyone who calls San Bernardino home should have the opportunity to prosper, thrive, and feel like they belong. Today, MHHF engages people, builds partnerships, provides leadership, and delivers resources to support a thriving community where every student is a lifelong learner who can achieve their hopes and aspirations. People working together for the benefit of all is where transformation and hope happens.

MHHF is a Black-led, woman-led organization with a 22-person staff supporting students and families through four pillars. The Uplift San Bernardino collective impact initiative focuses on the Waterman & Baseline communities where much of the city’s low-income families reside. Projects support education, home ownership and career development. The Karnig Infant Toddler Success Program (KITS) equips parents to maximize their child’s brain development before entering school, offering 16 hours of classes to low-income parents. More than 100 parents and caregivers have taken classes. Innovation In Education supports programs like the San Andreas High School Growing Hope Fund teaches urban farming and entrepreneurship to students, and the Mentor Supported Scholarships program provides $3,000 and a paid mentor for students during their first two years of post-secondary education. In 2023, MHHF’s scholarship program provided more than $570,000 in support to graduating seniors.

For more information:

El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center and Making Hope Happen Receive $200k Grants to Support Building Resource Centers in San Bernardino – IECN, December 2023

Making Hope Happen for SBCUSD Graduates – Inland Empire, January 2019