Support L.A. Students 

through the

Russell J. Hammer 

Scholarship Fund

Named in honor of Rusty Hammer, the former President & CEO of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, the Fund strives to continue his legacy of increasing access to college, thereby strengthening the local workforce.  The driving force behind the Chamber’s focus on this issue, Rusty believed that higher education was fundamental in pursuing high-wage, high-skill careers.

In accordance with Rusty’s legacy, the fund was established to achieve his vision for a healthy, vibrant regional economy in the 21st Century by encouraging low-income, disadvantaged and high-risk students to believe that a post-secondary education is attainable and affordable and that all students need to complete high school, some post-secondary education, and transition to the workforce with both academic knowledge and the understanding of how to apply it to a career.

Scholarships will be awarded annually to graduating high school students entering college, thereby supporting deserving students in Los Angeles to become future leaders.