Desert Hot Springs awards $25,000 to local student-aid group

Desert Hot Springs awarded a nonprofit organization $25,000 to support its work with local students and families, which has included scholarship funding, financial aid guidance and college pathway programs.

OneFuture Coachella Valley’s work has focused on increasing high school graduation rates, preparing students for college and careers, supporting students in graduating college and helping students get higher paying jobs. The organization works with education, business and community partners on its programs.

“By aligning scholarships, mentoring, and academic support services, OneFuture and its partners are building equitable pathways that empower students to achieve their goals while strengthening the long-term economic vitality of the Coachella Valley,” a Feb. 3 city staff report said.

On that evening, the city council unanimously approved a $25,000 sponsorship for OneFuture’s work in Desert Hot Springs. The city staff report said that $15,000 will go toward enhancing education and career pathways, $5,000 will go toward a “The Future is Ours” event and $5,000 will go toward education fund enrichment.

Since 2009, OneFuture has awarded 288 Desert Hot Springs students over $2 million in scholarships. It granted 45 Desert Hot Springs students $161,250 in scholarships for 2025–26. There are also nine local students who are part of the organization’s RN expansion program.

Kim McNulty, OneFuture’s vice president of regional strategy, said the group appreciates Desert Hot Springs’ support over the years. She gave an example of one of its recent scholars, who is completing her physician assistant master program, returning for her clinical site rotation this year and plans to move back to work in Desert Hot Springs.

“That’s one example of many stories that we have of Desert Hot Springs students who are benefitting,” McNulty said.

Mayor Scott Matas said he is in total support of OneFuture’s programs.

“I think you’ve put the money where it needs to go to make sure that the education is done, so thank you,” he said during the council meeting.

Ani Gasparyan covers the western Coachella Valley cities of Desert Hot Springs and Cathedral City. Reach her at ani.gasparyan@desertsun.com.