Louise de Putron Donates $1 Million to Pivotal to Transform Lives of Foster Youth through Scholarships and Mental Health Support

The gift will support foster youth as they pursue their academic and career goals, and establish a new Mental Health fund

SAN JOSE, Calif., July 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pivotal, a nonprofit organization that provides educational and career support to foster youth, has received a $1,000,000 donation from businesswoman and philanthropist Louise de Putron. The gift will support Pivotal's existing coaching and scholarship programs and establish a new Mental Health Fund to support the mental and emotional wellness of young people from foster care in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.

A long-time advocate for education equity and youth mental health, Ms. de Putron's support reflects her deep commitment to creating opportunities for young people from foster care to thrive both academically and personally.

"Young people from foster care face unique and often invisible challenges that require more than just financial aid," said Ms. de Putron. "With this gift, I hope to not only open doors to education, but also to help build a foundation of mental wellness that allows young people to truly succeed."

Part of Ms. de Putron's donation will fund scholarships for scholars from foster care pursuing college and vocational training. Scholarship recipients also receive Pivotal's individualized, trauma-responsive coaching which helps scholars focus on their academic and career goals.

In addition, $50,000 per year for the next three years is designated for the Pivotal Mental Health Fund.

"Many of our scholars require ongoing, long-term therapy to help them heal from trauma," says Savonna Stender-Bondesson, LCSW, Pivotal's Director of Coaching Programs. "Increasingly, our coaches are struggling to find this consistent care for scholars because of limited available therapists, and the cost of therapy."

Young people who have been in foster care experience more mental health challenges including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and social phobia and this fund expands Pivotal's coaching support and connection to resources by directly paying for, or supplementing, mental health services for Pivotal scholars.

About Pivotal
Pivotal is the only Silicon Valley nonprofit focused exclusively on the educational and career needs of young people in and from foster care through trauma-responsive, individualized academic coaching, college scholarships, and career readiness support from high school to college and into the workforce. Visit www.pivotalnow.org for more.

Media Contact:
Maria D'Souza
maria.dsouza@pivotalnow.org
408 465 3707

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SOURCE Pivotal