Introducing the Little Bird Scholarship for Undocumented LGBTQI Immigrants

Last winter, Stonewall’s Program Manager sat down for a call with Anna Rosenthal, the first-ever recipient of the Levin-Goffe Scholarship for Undocumented LGBTQI Immigrants. Offered from 2014-2019, the Levin-Goffe Scholarship at Stonewall made an immeasurable difference in the lives of a dozen immigrant and refugee students. Removing barriers in access to higher education for some of our community’s most vulnerable students, the scholarship was the largest of its kind in the nation, having made over $200,000 in grants as of August 2020. More than just financial support, it let students who lacked resources and support know that there were people who cared about their education and well-being. Over five years, the scholarship created a close-knit community of amazing students and gave us lasting connections to their incredible lives. Many of the recipients participate in annual alumni events and have stayed in touch with Stonewall over the years, including speaking at Stonewall's Vision Awards.

Anna came back to Stonewall with interest in creating her own scholarship. Seven years after receiving her own life-changing scholarship, she is now in a financial position to give back and help others. When we let her know that the Levin-Goffe scholarship had ended she immediately offered to step in and fund the scholarship for the next five years. We're thrilled to re-launch our scholarship for undocumented LGBTQI immigrants as the Little Bird Scholarship, named in honor of Anna's late friend Evelin. The scholarship continues to be the largest scholarship fund of its kind in the country, now awarding recipients $18,000 for up to two years of study.

We are deeply grateful to Jeff Levin and Andrew Goffe for enabling and inspiring a new generation of philanthropists. We champion Anna’s vision and her commitment to paying forward the support she herself received just a few years ago.