Okay, I’ll admit it… this campaign is a little personal 😊
For the second year, our team has created a friendly “Beat Mary” fundraising challenge and while I love a little healthy competition, what matters most is what we can make possible for our students together.
I didn’t grow up thinking I would one day be a CEO or that I’d have a seat at the table in the rooms I’m in today. Like many of the students we serve, I had moments of doubt. I didn’t always see people who looked like me in those spaces, and I wasn’t always sure I belonged. What changed my life was having people who believed in me, sometimes before I believed in myself.
If you think about it, most of us have had someone like that.
That’s why this work means so much to me. Every day at EXP, I see students who are incredibly capable, destined for greatness, but still have unrealized potential because they haven’t yet had the opportunity or access. Through mentorship, real-world experiences, and exposure to careers they never imagined, we help them build confidence and step into spaces where they do belong.
Today, I’m raising $5,000 in support of EXP to help us reach our $50,000 goal. Every dollar you give helps open doors and create opportunities for students.
If someone once believed in you, I hope you’ll consider making a donation today to help a student see what’s possible.
Thank you for being part of this with me. It truly means more than you know. 💛
Mary
Unlocking Tomorrow’s Workforce. Helping Students Discover Their Future.
Join EXP – The Opportunity Engine for The Future is Working Giving Day, a 24-hour campaign bringing together 13 Orange County organizations to develop a stronger workforce for Orange County.
In today’s climate of economic uncertainty and rapid change, preparing the next generation for the future of work has never been more important.
At EXP, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to discover their future.
Yet many young people lack access to the experiences, mentorship, and professional networks that help them navigate what comes next. Through career exploration, industry mentorship, and paid internships, EXP connects students to real-world opportunities that build confidence, skills, and pathways to meaningful careers.
Because when students can see what’s possible, they begin to build a future for themselves — and for our community.
Double Your Impact
Thanks to the generosity of the Sharon D. Lund Foundation and the Sun Family Foundation, every dollar donated will be matched up to $20,000.
Your gift today will go twice as far in opening doors for students.
Your Gift Creates Opportunity
Your support helps students:
• Explore careers and industries
• Connect with mentors and professionals
• Gain hands-on learning experiences
• Access paid internships that launch careers
Your gift today opens doors that can shape a student’s future for a lifetime.
Together, we are helping ensure Orange County’s workforce remains strong, resilient, and prepared for the future.