Experience the Magic of Hoops for Hope Gala on October 18, 2025!
Join us for an unforgettable evening at this year’s Hoops for Hope fundraising dinner. Tickets and sponsorships are available now for a vibrant celebration of Native American heritage through dinner, dance, and culture.
This year, we honor 2021 RISE Scholar Kylie Hunts-in-Winter, a proud 2025 Harvard University graduate, as she begins her next chapter. Guests will be immersed in tradition and artistry while exploring a gallery of Native art, jewelry, and weaving that reflects a culture transcending time.
Every guest will receive a meaningful gift to take home as a keepsake of this special night. Together, through our Silent and Live Auctions, we will raise vital funds to provide laptops and tuition-assistance scholarships for our 2026 RISE Scholars.
Don’t miss this chance to celebrate culture, honor achievement, and ignite the journey of underrepresented youth. Join us at Hoops for Hope!
Hunts-in-Winter received Harvard University’s 2021 Emerging Global Leader Award
Meet Jose Soto
As the oldest of four children, this student carried heavy responsibilities at home while juggling school and work. During his senior year, he attended EVIT in the mornings, high school in the afternoons, and worked evenings as a custodian to cover his expenses. Despite the challenges, he stayed committed to his studies, serving as Student Council President and graduating with honors coursework.
When Arizona State University told him he was missing a foreign language credit, the RISE Scholars program stepped in.
Jose Soto, Arizona State University Class of 2028, shares his story at the Hoops for Hope Gala
With their support, he was able to take the CLEP exam, earn top marks, and update his transcripts. That critical step led to him receiving the prestigious Obama Scholarship—valued at $178,000—covering full tuition, housing, meals, and books.
Today, he is a sophomore at ASU pursuing his degree in computer science. He credits RISE Scholars with opening doors he never thought possible and providing the encouragement, resources, and opportunities that made his dream of higher education a reality.
RISE Scholars Classes Begin!
Each year, College Bound AZ serves 300 to 400 RISE Scholars, providing over 1,000 hours of mentoring and 2,500 meals, then celebrates their achievements through scholarships and gold honor cords. The urgency of this work is underscored by the fact that, according to the AZ Board of Regents report, only 15% of economically disadvantaged youth from Arizona public high schools enroll in post-secondary education within a year of graduation. Here’s how RISE Scholars begins Turning Dreams into Degrees.
Partners with Purpose
For the past two years, the Rotary Club of Mesa West has partnered with College Bound AZ to offer scholarships to seniors of Westwood High School, Mesa AZ. Each student receives a tuition-assistance scholarship to help meet the financial requirements of college.
Does your company want to have its own legacy of making systemic change through education?
A dedicated scholarship in your company’s name creates a legacy of opportunity—empowering RISE Scholars who lack financial resources to complete higher education. Together, we can turn potential into achievement and achievement into lasting impact. Tuition-assistance scholarships help students rise, graduate, and return to our communities as leaders.
Let’s talk! Reach Lisa Rivera, Director of Development at 630-696-8251 or lrivera@collegeboundaz.org
Thank You!
It’s with your help and support that students who aspire to a better life through education get the resources they need to succeed. Thank you so very very much!
