According to the foundation, the awarding of Point scholarships is intended to prevent BGLT students, who often find themselves disowned by their families, from failing to pursue their educations due to a lack of financial and emotional support.

The foundation also provides its scholars with mentors who are already leaders in their fields.

“There aren’t necessarily many role models for young [BGLT] folks who are looking for ways to integrate who they are with what they want to do,” Wright said.

“This way they have people who have had that experience and can share that. It’s really important,” he added.

The foundation will begin its next round of applications online on Feb. 15.

—Staff writer Tamara L. Somasundaran can be reached at

somasund@fas.harvard.edu.