The JASPS Foundation

Who We Are

The James A. Smith Postmaster Scholarship Foundation, a 501(c) (3) non-profit under Internal Revenue Code, was founded in 2009 by James A. Smith, former Postmaster for the City of Los Angeles.

James, along with his wife Tamara, had an unquenchable desire to make a difference in the lives of any student who desired to further their education. By creating the James A. Smith Postmaster Scholarship Foundation, dreams have been ignited over the past ten years through this non-profit’s vision and commitment to serve a community and demographic that may otherwise get overlooked.

To date, The JASPS Foundation has contributed to and given over $225,000 in scholarships from 2009 to 2019

Our Mission

JASPSF is dedicated to investing in our community by empowering college bound students of color to reach their potential to solve global problems that will change the world.

Why We Do What We Do

We believe that regardless of a student’s academic standing or economic status that he or she only needs one thing to apply for a James A. Smith Postmaster Scholarship and that is desire to continue their education, to rise above their circumstances, and to be the future game-changers we know them to be. We want to be the difference that helps some student contribute to making the world a better place whether it is through entrepreneurship, leadership, lawmaking, healthcare, medical science, technology, filmmaking, storytelling, performance arts, visual arts or digital media outlets. The path to changing lives is unlimited! And perhaps our helping hands will help our scholarship recipients pay it forward.

“Studies have found that lightening the financial load of college is key for many black students seeking success.”

-Brian Bridges, Ph. D., VP Member Engagement and Research for UNCF

The rate of college enrollment from 2000 to 2016 for Black young adults surpassed that of white young adults by 3%. Enrollment rates of Hispanic young adults surpassed both black and white young adults for the same period.*

Though economic outcomes lag, African American graduation rates hit an all-time high.*

*nces.ed.gov