July 2026 Newsletter
Dear Friends of U-GO:
As we start the second half of a fast-moving 2026, our leadership team is thrilled (and a bit trepidatious) to announce the boldest goal in our short but proud history. Please click below to hear it directly and succinctly from the founder.
Yes, you heard that right. Our team is committing to grow the number of U-GO scholars to 10,001 by the end of this year. It’s a bold goal, but I’ve always believed that bold goals attract bold people. With the current number of U-GO scholars at 6,715, this means we to raise the funding required to award roughly 3,300 long-term U-GO scholarships over the next six months.
Together, we are working toward a milestone that will be truly historic. There has never been a non-profit organization that has awarded this many long-term university scholarships in such a short period of time. We are so grateful that you are with us on this journey, since we could not pursue this BHAG — what one of my favorite authors, Jim Collins, calls a big, hairy, audacious goal — without you on our team.
We make this commitment for three reasons:
(a) our U-GO scholars continue to advance at a rate of over 98%, proving that we have recruited the best and the brightest and that they value this opportunity.
(b) we have thousands of ambitious and promising young women on the waiting list, and every one of them to whom we can give the green light allows her to move towards her dreams.
(c) we are ambitious by nature. We don’t yet have the funding we need to get to 10,001, but we’ll continue to work doggedly to close the funding gap.
In closing, please imagine lining up 74 Boeing 737’s and filling every single seat. That is the number of U-GO scholars we hope to have in the program by EOY 2026. If there are ways you can help us hit this moonshot goal, please hit Reply. Together, we can make history!
Onward and upward!
John and the U-GO team
Stay tuned for monthly updates as we climb to the summit of 10,001 scholars. Please reach out to our team at [email protected] if you, your friends or company would like to be part of this monumental journey.
scholar spotlight
Sophea Sok, Cambodia
Sophea Sok bears the weight of the world. After the death of her father and decline of her mother, Sophea was raised by grandparents in a poor neighbourhood in Phnom Penh, getting by on a meager income selling coffee and working construction. Daily life for their small family was about survival. With the help of U-GO partner IndoChina Starfish Foundation, Sophea was able to attend primary school, where she excelled at math and discovered a passion for numbers. With the U-GO scholarship she now attends the Institute of Finance and Accounting in Phnom Penh. She works part time to support her grandparents and siblings while dreaming of one day owning her own business. She is determined to achieve her dream. "I have come halfway. I must keep going. I can't turn back now." Watch Sophea’s journey at the link below.
New brand video
On the road to 10,001 scholars, a new video to inspire us all to BE THE ONE!
Coming soon to a
city Near You…
On June 10th, 100 guests joined the U-GO UK Board, wine writer Jancis Robinson, and U-GO founders John Wood and Amy Powell at the London offices of the Financial Times for an evening in conversation with renowned novelist William Boyd.
Denver
U-GO is coming to the Mile High City!
Saturday, August 15th, 4 - 6pm
Wildflower at Gravity Haus, 3638 Navajo St.
💫 Doing good is magic! Join us for our first ever Denver event featuring live music and world class illusionist Jordan Shank. Space is limited. Reserve your ticket here.
Hong Kong
U-GO Wine Dinner
Saturday, September 19th, 6:30pm - 10:30pm
The Rosewood Hotel
🧧 We are back for the year’s most exciting and generous night of fundraising in Hong Kong! To inquire about table purchases or corporate sponsorship, please email [email protected]
San Francisco
U-GO Wine Dinner
Saturday, September 26th, 5:30pm - 9:30pm
China Live
🍷 The San Francisco annual wine dinner takes the wine experience to new heights this year. Start with winemaker tasting sessions in China Live’s speakeasy before moving the the 3rd floor banquet room for a delicious modern Chinese menu paired with more of California’s finest wines. To book at ticket, click here. To inquire about table purchases or corporate sponsorship, please email [email protected]
Sydney
U-GO Spring Gala in the Garden
Saturday, November 7, 2026
The Calyx at Royal Botanic Garden, 6pm - 10pm
🇦🇺 Join the U-GO Australia Board for it’s annual spring gala fundraiser to be held with the stunning backdrop of the Sydney Botanic Gardens. It will be an evening of delicious food, great wines and good people, all in support of U-GO. Cocktails followed by dinner, live auction and entertainment.
RSVP to [email protected]
