What a difference a dollar can make, especially if that dollar is coming from Boyett Petroleum. 

Since the inception of Boyett Petroleum's Make Dreams Real Endowment Fund in 2009, more than $280,000 in grant funding has been awarded to organizations throughout the Stanislaus County.

The endowment is made possible through the annual Make Dreams Real golf tournament which raised $306,000 for the fund this May. With a balance of nearly $1.1 million in the endowment, each year Boyett distributes 10 percent of the balance as grant funding throughout the county. 

Numerous local organizations have benefitted from the Boyett family's desire to support local children's programs. Just ask Estrella Garcia, vice president of community impact and program development at the United Way of Stanislaus County, a nonprofit that partners with other organizations to strengthen the community in the areas of education, health, and financial independence.

Over the past few years funds from the Make Dreams Real Endowment has afforded the United Way to found and grow a student engagement program targeted at working with students that show signs of being on track to drop out of school. Made possible in partnership with the Center for Human Services, the United Way's Graduation Coach Program allows the United Way to place graduation coaches at several middle school sites in the County to work with students in identifying barriers to graduation and solutions to overcome those struggles.

"Seventh grade is a critical transitional year for students not just in the change in school site but in the structure of their day," explained Garcia. "There is a need for support during that age."

The Graduation Coach Program is currently implemented at two Modesto middle schools and one Patterson middle school and is growing to Salida and Waterford. Funds from Boyett's endowment go towards school supplies and graduation coach salaries, making the petroleum company's contribution a significant factor in keeping kids in school.

"This is a new venture for us doing initiatives and developing a program so we're really excited it’s expanding and schools are interested in adopting the program," said Garcia. "We appreciate our partnership with the Center for Human Services and support from the community, like Boyett, who support the work we're doing. We couldn't do it without them, really."

Other local organizations that have benefitted from Boyett Petroleum's Make Dreams Real Endowment include Girl Scouts Heart of Central California, Oakdale Education Foundation, Modesto Symphony Orchestra, Tuolumne River Adventure Club, and more.