The 'Reach for the Stars' Foundation

The 'Reach for the Stars' Foundation The Alan Epstein 'Reach for the Stars' Scholarship is one of the largest scholarships in South Florida. Visit our website at RFTSF.ORG to learn more.

The 'Reach for the Stars' Scholarship provides annual scholarships to deserving high school seniors. The fundraisers also raise funds for causes such as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Susan G. Komen for the Cure, in loving memories of our parents, Murray and Cheryl. We are currently in the process for applying for 501(c)(3) status for the Reach For The Stars Foundation, a new venture dedicate

d to supporting cancer related organizations as well as other select foundations supporting people suffering from life's burdens.

What an honor to come back to our alma mater, Palmetto Senior High School, to share the Reach for the Stars scholarship ...
02/23/2026

What an honor to come back to our alma mater, Palmetto Senior High School, to share the Reach for the Stars scholarship with the graduating seniors.

Standing in those halls again brought back so many memories. We shared with the students what it was like when Alan walked these same halls, his zest for life, his endless enthusiasm, the star of the lacrosse team, head of the pep squad, the friend everyone wanted to be around, and the student every teacher admired. A light that dimmed far too soon.

As we looked out at the students in that room, we saw a little bit of Alan in each of them. This scholarship is what keeps his light shining and keeps our parents’ legacy alive, helping young people pursue their dreams and know that someone believes in them.

We were so moved by the energy, the turnout, and the excitement in the room. We are incredibly excited for Palmetto seniors and all Miami-Dade graduating seniors to apply for this year’s scholarship cycle.

A huge thank you to the Palmetto CAP advisor, Linda Dwyer, for inviting us to speak and share about RFTS, and to Stephanie and the Miami Foundation for your continued support.

The application deadline is March 15th. The time to apply is now for all graduating seniors in Miami-Dade County. Link in bio. 💫

Thanks to you, our incredible RFTS community, we raised more than $90,000 between Give Miami Day and our annual fundrais...
11/23/2025

Thanks to you, our incredible RFTS community, we raised more than $90,000 between Give Miami Day and our annual fundraising event. We are so grateful to every single person who showed up, donated, shared, supported, and believed in our mission.

Your generosity helps us uplift the next generation and keeps our families legacy shining bright. Our work is only possible because of you.

Here’s to the future and here’s to you. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Venue
Catering by Oz
Dessert
Swag .merch
Photobooth
Decor

Gold Sponsors and Mandel Family

Silver Sponsors and The Nacron Family

Loyalty Sponsors

Matteo’s words remind us how powerful this legacy is and how far one act of generosity can go. It is the final day to do...
11/20/2025

Matteo’s words remind us how powerful this legacy is and how far one act of generosity can go. It is the final day to donate for Give Miami Day.

Every gift of $25 or more will be matched by the until midnight. Thank you for helping us support more students just like Matteo! 💫

Meet Matteo Marques, 2025 Recipient who will be attending Pomona College of the fall:“Coming from a single-parent househ...
11/20/2025

Meet Matteo Marques, 2025 Recipient who will be attending Pomona College of the fall:

“Coming from a single-parent household, the Reach for the Stars Scholarship has been more than just financial support; it’s been a reminder that people genuinely care and want to see me succeed. The kindness and warmth of Jamie Kolnick and Mike Epstein make this scholarship feel like a family, not just a foundation. When I was feeling worried about living up to the scholarship and making everyone proud, another member of the community, David Puyanic, invited me to go lobstering. That small moment made me feel seen, supported, and reassured that they don’t just believe in my accomplishments, but in me as a person.
Their belief in me has kept me motivated to keep striving towards my goals in environmental science at Pomona College.

Knowing that there is a community cheering me on has changed the way I think about my future. Reach for the Stars is not just helping fund my education; it is investing in the version of me I am still becoming. I am proud to say that I am part of such a loving and supportive scholarship, and I carry their faith with me as both a responsibility and a source of strength. Because of Reach for the Stars, I feel more confident stepping into the future I once only hoped was possible.”

Thank you Matteo for sharing your words with us and being such a vibrant part of this community! We certainly are a family as you said and aim to support all recipients for the long term!

Help more students like Matteo reach for the stars by donating to our Give Miami Day Campaign. Only 24 hours left to give! Any donation of $25 or more will be matched by the Miami Foundation until 11/20 at 11:59 PM EST. Thanks for your support! 💜

Tonight we are featuring one of our 2025 recipients, Saidel Gonzalez, who is now studying at Duke University.“The Reach ...
11/19/2025

Tonight we are featuring one of our 2025 recipients, Saidel Gonzalez, who is now studying at Duke University.

“The Reach for the Stars Scholarship has made a great impact on my academic life. It helped my family with the financial burden that going out-of-state represents. In the same way, it gave me a sense of security as I could freely buy school materials and acquire the necessary technology to succeed. Lastly, getting together with so many successful people as well as connecting with the Epstein siblings is my most important takeaway from the scholarships.”

We are so grateful to be connected with you Saidel and beyond excited for you and your bright future!!

Help more students like Saidel reach for their stars. From now until Thursday November 20th at 11:59 PM EST, the will be matching a percentage of all donations over $25. Thank you for your support! ⭐️

Today we are featuring one of our 2025 recipients, Sebastian Salcedo, who is now studying at Boston University: “The Rea...
11/18/2025

Today we are featuring one of our 2025 recipients, Sebastian Salcedo, who is now studying at Boston University:

“The Reach for the Stars Scholarship is, to me, more than just a scholarship. It is a vibrant community of people who have all persevered through immense challenges and setbacks, learning from them to become better people and community members. Personally, this scholarship has enabled me to pursue my dream of attending college and becoming a
biomedical engineer. Despite the responsibilities and challenges I have experienced in my life, I have overcome them with the help of my support groups and communities. Ones just like the Reach for the Stars Scholarship foundation”.

Thank you Sebastian for sharing your words with us! We are proud to call you a 2025 recipient and know the world has so much in store for you.

Help more students like Sebastian reach for their stars. From now until Thursday November 20th at 11:59 PM EST, the will be matching a percentage of all donations over $25. Thank you for your support! ⭐️

Best time at the inaugural Give Miami Day 5k for team ⭐️ To be together is all we can ask for, and in support of the cau...
11/16/2025

Best time at the inaugural Give Miami Day 5k for team ⭐️

To be together is all we can ask for, and in support of the cause that is nearest to our hearts makes it all that more sweet. Our family was certainly with us to the finish line today! Scroll to see the kids dash 🏃

Thank you to the for supporting us every step of the way on this two decade + journey of giving back. We are so grateful for everything you do to help us and this incredible South Florida charitable community!

From now until Thursday November 20th a donation of $25 or more will be matched by the Miami Foundation. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year. Link in bio to donate. Thanks for your support!

So much time has passed without the three most important people in our lives. Our brother Alan and our parents Murray an...
11/15/2025

So much time has passed without the three most important people in our lives. Our brother Alan and our parents Murray and Cheryl. Their love, light, and spirit continue to guide everything we do.

After Alan passed away at just 18, our parents poured their hearts into creating the Reach for the Stars Foundation to honor his memory and help the next generation of dreamers follow their own paths.

Since 1998, Reach for the Stars has supported more than 275 graduating seniors in Miami Dade County. Each student has been able to take the next step toward their goals through financial support made possible by our community.

We now carry forward what our parents built, keeping their legacy alive by helping deserving students rise and keeping their light shining.

Early Giving for Give Miami Day starts now and runs through Thursday November 20th at 11:59 PM EST. The Miami Foundation will match a percentage of all donations of $25 dollars or more made during this time.

Please help us make this our best year yet. Your support means the world to us and to the incredible students whose futures you help shape! Link in bio to donate.

Thank you for being part of this community that keeps their spirit alive. 💫

Join us under the stars for our favorite night of the year ✨Thursday November 20th at the Elser HotelWe are so excited t...
11/13/2025

Join us under the stars for our favorite night of the year ✨

Thursday November 20th at the Elser Hotel

We are so excited to celebrate 26 years of Reach for the Stars with live music, great food, cocktails, and community.

Your support helps us lift up incredible South Florida students and keep Alan’s legacy shining bright!

Tickets are in our bio. We can’t wait to see you there 🤍

Save the Date ✨ Join us for an unforgettable night as we celebrate 26 years of the Reach for the Stars Foundation at The...
09/27/2025

Save the Date ✨ Join us for an unforgettable night as we celebrate 26 years of the Reach for the Stars Foundation at The Elser Hotel 💫

November 20, 2025 · 7PM

Link to purchase tickets coming soon!

We are excited to share that the Alan Epstein ‘Reach for the Stars’ Scholarship raised over $85,000 between Give Miami D...
12/10/2024

We are excited to share that the Alan Epstein ‘Reach for the Stars’ Scholarship raised over $85,000 between Give Miami Day and our annual fundraising event!

We blew past our annual goal of $50,000 thanks to your unwavering support.

The 25th Annual event was a big success. Aside from the fundraising which will allow us to make an even bigger impact on our community, we were overwhelmed by the support we received from our friends and family that attended our event, or donated online. We know that Alan and our parents would be so proud of what we have built. Community above all was always at the center of importance in everything they did. We felt that last night. We have an incredible community that always shows up for us, and keeps Alan’s and our parents’ memories shining bright. We thank you from the bottom of hearts for allowing us to continue to connect with them and carry on their legacies with the scholarship. A special thank you once again to our sponsors, all of our donors, and our partners in life, Carly and Shaun, for filling this next chapter with so much love and joy.

Jamie and Mike

Address

Miami, FL
33156

Website

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