Witnessing the Power of Opportunity: A Night with the Fulfillment Fund

Photos from the Fulfillment Fund's 2025 Sundown Social, including Sami Clark on the bottom right

By Sami Clark, Greenfield Foundation Secretary

Recently, I had the privilege of attending the Fulfillment Fund’s Sundown Social—an inspiring evening that brought together alumni, supporters, and students connected by a shared mission: expanding access to higher education.

The Fulfillment Fund’s work centers around four key pillars—creating pathways to college, helping students overcome educational barriers, establishing strong support networks, and empowering the next generation of leaders. These aren’t just guiding principles; they’re lived experiences for thousands of students whose lives have been shaped by this incredible organization.

My journey with the Fulfillment Fund began back in 2019, when I was working at the Los Angeles Lakers. During a game night celebrating the Comerica Bank Women’s Business Awards, I met a Fulfillment Fund board member—an incredible advocate for strong women, always nominating the amazing women in her life. Our conversation quickly turned to the Fund’s mission, and the more I learned, the more inspired I became. Right away, I thought of the Greenfield Foundation and its alignment with the Fund’s values. We stayed in touch, and in time, I had the opportunity to witness firsthand the impact this organization makes—an experience that confirmed I wanted to help bring them into the Foundation's network of support.

At the Social, I met alumni of all ages—from recent college grads to professionals well into their careers. Hearing firsthand how the Fulfillment Fund not only supported them through college applications and campus life, but continued to be a resource years later, was truly moving.

One conversation in particular has stayed with me. I spoke with a woman who went through the program back in the 1990s. She shared how the Fulfillment Fund helped guide her to college, then law school, and ultimately into her current career as an immigration attorney. Listening to her describe the role the Fund played in helping her build the life she has today was powerful—and a reminder of how essential this kind of support is for students navigating their educational journeys.

I left the evening with a deep sense of pride that the Greenfield Foundation has had the opportunity to support the Fulfillment Fund’s mission. Stories like hers are the reason we continue to invest in organizations that make long-term, transformative impact.