The Richard Deffenbaugh Memorial Scholarship Presented by Dana Point Chamber of Commerce

As the voice of business in Dana Point, the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce champions economic vitality and community engagement – all while promoting a high quality of life in and around destination Dana Point. This includes the necessity to promote and support the success of our future business leaders.

For more than 20 years, the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce has raised tens of thousands of dollars for its scholarship fund, now formally known as The Richard Deffenbaugh Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is named in memory of Richard Deffenbaugh, as he not only spearheaded the fundraising of this scholarship for the past decade, but his business, Dana Point Auto, is one of the longest standing businesses in Dana Point and is the most tenured Chamber member. Richard spent many years coaching and giving back to various nonprofits in South Orange County, and he believed passionately in supporting his local community, and investing in our future business leaders – whether they were attending four-year universities, junior college, master programs, or vocational schools.

Scholarships are comprised of donations from Chamber Member businesses and a donation from the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce.

The Dana Point Chamber is now accepting scholarship applications for Dana Hills High School Seniors in the 2024-25 graduating class. The deadline to submit applications is March 21, 2025.

Dana Hills High School seniors may also access the application from their academic advisors on campus.

Scholarship recipients will be notified in early April 2025. Recipients will also be invited to the Senior Awards Night at Dana Hills High School by the school administration.

Help us reach our goal of $5,000! Pledge a donation to the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce for the Dana Hills High School Awards Program.




Click the “Donate” button above to make a payment through PayPal or

Please make all donations to:

Dana Point Chamber of Commerce
Attn: Chamber Scholarship Program
34183 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite A
Dana Point, CA 92629

For more information contact the Chamber at info@danapointchamber.com or call 949-496-1555

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