The Initiative for Diversity in Education and Leadership (IDEAL) Scholars Fund, a program of the Level Playing Field Institute, was founded in 2001 by a group of University of California, Berkeley alumni, including Freada Klein. Its mission is to "invest in high-caliber, underrepresented students by providing resources and support to maximize their educational experiences and leadership opportunities during college and beyond. IDEAL works with African American, Hispanic, and Native American undergraduates at the University of California, Berkeley." Past IDEAL scholarships have ranged from $2,000 to $8,500 for an academic year. In addition to the scholarship, IDEAL provides enrichment services:
- Summer internships (examples include U.S. Representative Barbara Lee's office, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco General Hospital/UCSF, Centro Legal de la Raza)
- Annual leadership retreat
- Bi-monthly meetings
- Computer loan program
- Tutors (if needed)
As part of the IDEAL community, students have ready access to IDEAL staff and other scholars for support issues. Scholars are also encouraged to work with U.C. Berkeley staff and faculty partners who help students navigate through campus challenges.
