SAR Scholarship Foundation
Help Fund Our Future Leaders
The Scholarship Foundation was initially a $600 yearly program that provided $100 to $200 scholarships for Sacramento area students attending American River College, Sacramento City College and California State College (now California State University, Sacramento).
Over the years, SAR has expanded the Scholarship program to support students in a variety of fields at many different institutions across the United States. Education is one of the most important gifts we can give today’s youth and it is a gift that benefits not only the student, but the entire community. The students who receive an SAR Scholarship to attend college will one day be your clients, your co-workers, and our community leaders.
Today, the Scholarship Foundation is sponsored by the Association and holds an annual fundraising drive, but many organizations and individuals contribute to its success by donating their time, money, or goods and services. SAR members are encouraged to raise money through their own company efforts and fundraisers. Since 2001, SAR has raised and awarded well over a half million dollars to hundreds of high school seniors.
2026 Scholarship Applications Are Now Open
We appreciate your charitable giving and know that we couldn’t offer as many scholarships without your wonderful support.
Current Scholarship Foundation Trustees
Peggy Adams • Courtney Edwards • Theresa Gorham • Chip O’Neill • Kim White
2026 Committee
Cristi Rodda • Kristi Botkin • Lynda Beaver • Meena Chan Lee • Joseph Kelley • Theresa Gorham • Tracey Saizan • Kevin Hayes • Daniel Posehn
Scholarship Applicants
This annual scholarship application is available January 5th – March 31st. Scholarships are awarded to 25+ local students, amounts varying from $500 – $3000. Limited to high school seniors – awards based on availability.
1. Applicant must be a Senior in high school
2. Applicant must be a resident of Sacramento County or the City of West Sacramento, California for at least one year, or be a relative of an SAR Member
3. Applicant must have a valid California Driver’s License or California State Identification Card
4. Applicant must have maintained – and documented – a cumulative grade point average of 3.7, includes high school and all colleges attended
The following must accompany the application:
1. Copy of current official transcript from your accredited high school
2. Evidence of acceptance and intention to enroll for Fall term at an accredited college or university (or verification of current full–time enrollment if currently attending college or university)
3. A typed, 300–word essay describing your career objectives and the benefits to be gained from this financial award
• Application OPENS January 5th.
• Application CLOSES March 31st.
• Congratulation email to those accepted and regret emails to anyone who did not meet requirements.
• Interview process begins the week following close of application.
• Interviews will be held at designated times from the end of April to the beginning of May.
• Final scholarship winners will be notified by the end of May and the Awards Ceremony will be at the June Main Membership Meeting. Family is encouraged to attend.
How can people participate?
The Perry Georgallis Scholarship Learning Tree
The Learning Tree was “planted” in 2015 in the lobby of our building on Howe Avenue, establishing a lasting endowment to fund future scholarships. In 2023, we dedicated the Learning Tree to Perry Georgallis, honoring his contributions and legacy. You can participate by purchasing a leaf, bird, branch, rock, or trunk of the tree, and have your name, your company’s name, or an honoree’s name permanently placed on the tree. At its completion, the Learning Tree will represent a $500,000 endowment, with the interest directed towards future scholarship gifts. For more information download the learning tree flyer or email at scholarship@sacrealtor.org.
SAR Affinity Programs offer incentives and deals to SAR Members. These programs also donate a portion of the proceeds from SAR Members back to our Scholarship Fund to support Sacramento County students on their way to college. Reach out to the Retail Center with any questions on how these programs can benefit you or how to become a affinity partner with SAR. You can support the Scholarship Fund by using the various Affinity Programs though the SAR Store and by patronizing our preferred vendors.
These are just a few of our participating programs! Find out more today.
Complete your 5K run anytime between March 13th and March 23rd. All participants will receive a commemorative dry-fit T-shirt and a swag bag (shirt and swag bag pick up will be Wednesday, March 11th from 12PM – 5PM in the Mack Powell Event Center AND Thursday, March 12th from 12PM – 5PM in the SAR Events Dept.)
Additionally, each runner will be entered into our Pot of Gold drawing, where two lucky winners will each receive $250! The drawing will take place at the April Main Meeting.
For more information or to become a sponsor, contact us at – Scholarship@sacrealtor.org
All proceeds from this event will benefit the SAR Scholarship Trust, which awards $50,000 in scholarships to local high school seniors each year.
The Sacramento Association of REALTORS® Scholarship Trust hosts a Comedy Show fundraiser where attendees can enjoy a glamorous evening of clean, professional comedy and heavy appetizers. All proceeds help send deserving local high school seniors to college.
Last Member Standing is a game that is played during our Main Membership Meeting where the proceeds benefit the Scholarship Program. There are 100 squares priced at $50 each, that will have 99 losers and ONE BIG WINNER of $1,000… hence the Last Member Standing. You purchase your desired amount of square(s), pick the numbers you want (1-100), place your business card in the number’s square, and wait to see if you’re the winner.
During that Main Meeting, we will take a moment to call the Names off until we have that Last member Standing and our WINNER!!
Scholarship Awards
Eugene L. Williams Scholarship – The highest of the six named awards and the first named scholarship created. This award honors the memory of Mr. Williams, who served as President of the then Sacramento Board of REALTORS®, in 1967.
Dale Morris Scholarship – Mr. Morris was a commercial REALTOR®. His sister, Neva Cimaroli, became the first woman President of the then Sacramento Board of REALTORS® in 1979 and was also one of the Trustees of the Scholarship Fund. Upon Mr. Morris’s passing she funded this award in her brother’s memory.
Mack Powell Scholarship – Mr. Powell was President of the then Sacramento Board of REALTORS® in 1983, as well as President of the California Association of REALTORS® in 1991. He was held in high regard for his efforts on behalf of the REALTOR® family. Upon his passing, both Associations honored his memory by funding a permanent tribute to Mr. Powell.
MetroList® Scholarship – This Scholarship was named to recognize the tens of thousands of dollars that have been donated by MetroList® to the Scholarship Foundation over the years.
Mike Messina Scholarship – Mr. Messina was a long-time REALTOR® with a strong belief in education and professional standards. Upon his passing, a permanent tribute was funded by the contributions from the Association and members.
Perry & Kay Georgallis Scholarship – Perry Georgallis was the godfather and a longtime trustee of SAR’s Scholarship Foundation. Upon the passing of his wife, Kay, the Association members funded the award in recognition of Kay and Perry’s devotion to and passion for the Sacramento Association of REALTORS Scholarship Foundation. In 2022, a scholarship was created in honor of Perry’s dedication to the Scholarship and upon his death, the two scholarships were combined to honor their memory.
Carl Carlson “Creative Genius” Award – This award was created by the Scholarship Foundation to honor Mr. Carlson for his creative ideas for fundraising. His efforts have raised thousands of dollars for the Foundation.
Steve Larson Award – This award was created to honor our dear friend and ardent supporter, Steve Larson. Steve was a proud Sac State Hornet, so this scholarship is awarded to Sac State-bound high school grads.
Trustee’s Award for Academic Excellence – Given to students who go above and beyond in their scholastic achievements.
Judy Schoer Scholarship: In honor of longtime Scholarship Trustee, Judy Schoer. Judy was President of SAR in 1989, a Trustee for over 26 years and Trustee Chair for the past six years. She has been a tireless fundraiser for the Scholarship Trust. She recently retired from the Foundation in 2024.
Dr. Nick LaPlaca Scholarship—Known as a consummate Real Estate professional, this Scholarship honors the decades long dedication to the Scholarship Foundation by Nick. Nick received his Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate from University of the Pacific and is a former Assistant Dean of the UOP McGeorge School of Law. He retired from the Foundation in 2025.