50 Years Strong: Empowering Latino Students

MAEGA, a San Diego-based, all-volunteer organization, has been changing lives for 54 years. Founded in 1970, we address the financial barriers faced by Latinx high school graduates seeking higher education.

Through dedicated donors and generations of volunteers, MAEGA has awarded over $3 million in scholarships, helping countless students achieve their educational dreams. 

Learn more and get involved today.

OUR HISTORY

All About MAEGA

Recent Events

Thank you to everyone that supported the Don Lapham Memorial Dinner, we raised over $3,000 🎉 We had a great turnout to celebrate our Founder, Don Lampham and his wife Mary who started MAEGA 55 years ago.  They set our mission to help build successful futures for low income latin students pursuing higher education! 🎉

Upcoming Events

  • February 8, 2026: Scholarship applications for 2026/2027 are due

  • June 1, 2026 (TBD) 7:00pm:
    MAEGA Awards Ceremony

  • June 6, 2026 4:00-7:00pm:
    Encinitas Rotary Wine and Food Festival

    Held at the Encinitas Ranch Golf Course.  Tickets can be purchased online at encinitaswinefestival.com.  Please remember to check MAEGA as the beneficiary.

  • September 1, 2026 5:00-8:00 pm:
    Don Lapham Memorial Dinner     (honoring our founder) Tickets can be bought at the door, online using Zeffy, or from any MAEGA board member.

  • December 7, 2026 6:00 pm:
    MAEGA's Holiday Get Together
     Please RSVP if you plan to attend.

Upcoming Board Meetings

February 9, 2026 at 6:00pm

  • 50 Years of Giving!

    MAEGA has helped deserving, motivated Latinx students, build successful futures for over 50 years! Join us in continuing the legacy.

    Donate now

  • MAEGA Scholarships

    MAEGA awards Scholarships to eligible Latinx seniors graduating from the San Dieguito Union High School District who plan to attend college or an accredited vocational/tech school.

    Apply Today

  • Alumni Success Stories

    We’re so proud of our MAEGA alumni, they’re our legacy!

    Meet our Alumni

  • Our Legacy

    Starting as a heartfelt encounter in 1970, has blossomed into a 50 year legacy of helping deserving Latinx students build amazing futures.

    Our Story

  • Are you a MAEGA Alumni?

    We’d love to hear from you! Share your story and inspire a future generation of MAEGA recipients

    I'm an alumni

Stories

  • “I'm so thankful for the impact my previous scholarship has had this year, making it possible for me to start my educational journey at this leading institution I worked so hard to get into. "

    Cal Poly, Slo Freshman

  • “Attending college, being educated and becoming the first in my family to graduate college are major aspirations of mine...For this reason, having the pleasure of receiving a renewal for this upcoming school year would be such a blessing. ”

    UC Merced Freshman

  • “I see how proud my parents are of me and for having the courage of leaving home to become a better version of myself. Seeing how hard my parents work only motivates me to continue striving for my goals...My family isn't able to help me as much as they would like due to their income. This scholarship gave me the opportunity to help with my college expenses.”

    CSU, Sonoma Freshman

Over 50 Years Strong:

empowering Latinx students

100%

of donations received are awarded as scholarships each year

Over $3 Million Awarded

in scholarships as of 2025