Ivan Gonsalez’s routine is anything but routine. Each day, there’s work to be done – driving to CSU Monterey Bay from Soledad – some 50 miles each way – while holding down a job as shift leader at the local McDonald’s.
“Yeah, I’m busy, but’s it’s going to be worth it. I’m a working student so everything I pay out of pocket. I have to follow through with my education,” said Gonsalez, the first in his family to attend college.
Enter his boss, McDonald’s franchisee and Salinas Valley businessman Raymond H. Costa.
Costa knows the character-building that comes with struggle. He was a tenacious United Parcel Service driver twice rejected by the McDonald’s Corporation for a shot at a franchise. Costa now owns 10 McDonald’s located in King City, Soledad, Greenfield, Gonzalez and Salinas.
The lesson is you don’t ever give up,” – Raymond Costa, Raymond H. Costa Family Scholarship FundÂ
The Raymond H. Costa Family Scholarship Fund is one of nearly 70 scholarships funds managed by the Community Foundation for Monterey County awarding more than $1.4 million annually. For more information about scholarships please call (831) 375-9712 or visit cfmco.org/Scholarships.
The mission of the Community Foundation for Monterey County is “to inspire philanthropy and be a catalyst for strengthening communities throughout Monterey County.”
Employee Scholorships
Costa has awarded more than $420,000 in 157 scholarships through his Raymond H. Costa Family Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation for Monterey County since it launched in 2017.
Past recipients included Gonsalez, whose experience at McDonald’s led him to study business management.
Other recipients, Gabriela Jorge Maldonado wants to study engineering. Ana Landin, also at CSUMB, plans on working for a nonprofit organization. Their aspirations are now closer to reality thanks to Costa’s generosity.Â
I think it is great what Mr. Costa is doing and motivating not only myself but other employees to pursue higher education.
The Raymond H. Costa Family Scholarship Fund is one of nearly 70 scholarships funds managed by the Community Foundation for Monterey County awarding more than $1.4 million annually. For more information about scholarships please call (831) 375-9712 or visit cfmco.org/Scholarships.
The mission of the Community Foundation for Monterey County is “to inspire philanthropy and be a catalyst for strengthening communities throughout Monterey County.”
