Matt Severson: Scholarship Angel

A conversation with Matt Severson, founder of The School Fund nonprofit

by Lisa Van Dusen / Palo Alto Weekly

Matt Severson, a 2007 Palo Alto High School graduate, started The School Fund, a nonprofit that connects donors with students in developing countries who need help with their annual school fees of about $150 per year.

Severson launched The School Fund while a sophomore at Brown University. He joined Google upon graduation from Brown in 2011 and remains actively involved in expanding The School Fund. The School Fund is celebrating its 2nd anniversary at the Lucie Stern Community Center on Sunday (Oct. 9) from 2 to 4 p.m. The event is open to the public.

Severson was inspired to start the organization as a result of a particular personal interaction while on a trip to Tanzania. Now operating in 10 countries with a network of various NGO partners, The School Fund won the Clinton Global Initiative University Outstanding Commitment Award in 2010 and is being supported by other local nonprofit foundations. Two other Paly graduates -- Roxana Moussavian and Andrew Perrault -- are also founding members of The School Fund.

Host/interview, Lisa Van Dusen

Video, Rachel Hatch