Foundation for California Community Colleges

Get ready to be inspired—C3CONVERGE 2024's agenda is now live! Join us to connect educators, industry experts, and policymakers as we dive into cutting-edge insights and collaborative strategies for a sustainable future. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this transformative movement!
Agenda: https://bit.ly/3MirXAU

Get ready to be inspired—C3CONVERGE 2024's agenda is now live! This pivotal summit is designed to inspire innovation, build resilience, and propel climate action through education. Join us to connect educators, industry experts, and policymakers as we dive into cutting-edge insights and collaborative strategies for a sustainable future. Explore the agenda for workshops and discussions aimed at driving actionable outcomes. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this transformative movement—start your journey towards climate action with us today!

Agenda: https://bit.ly/3MirXAU

Foundation for California Community Colleges

Registration is now open! https://bit.ly/4dQHrHS.

Registration is now open for the inaugural Futures Summit 2024: AI: Powering Tomorrow's Workforce: https://bit.ly/4dQHrHS.

This landmark event will bring together visionaries, educators and industry leaders to explore how emerging technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence, are transforming our workforce and reshaping education. Led by the California Community College Chancellor's Office in partnership with Foothill-De Anza Community College District, this summit offers a unique opportunity to engage with the future of work and learning.

As the largest higher education system in the nation, we're uniquely positioned to address the challenges and opportunities of our AI-informed future. The summit supports the goals of Vision 2030, Chancellor Sonya Christian's collaborative action plan to respond to the technological and environmental changes facing our communities and society.

Opening Reception:
Join us the evening before the Summit for an opportunity to connect and network with other attendees, enjoy passed appetizers and refreshments, and explore the beautiful De Anza College campus.

Date: September 9, 2024
Time: 4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Location: De Anza College, Cupertino, California

Summit:
Date: September 10, 2024
Time: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: De Anza College, Visual & Performing Arts Center, Cupertino, California

Register today at https://bit.ly/4dQHrHS.

College

Join us for a Restaurant Fundraiser benefiting the Foundation for California Community Colleges's Student Ambassador Program. 10% of all food sales will be donated back to the organization. Stop by Farmers Brewing Restaurant and Taproom at 1950 Market Place on August 22nd from 6 PM-9 PM. See you there!

With the urgent need to address climate change, community colleges have a critical role to play. Jeffrey Clary, our Senior Director of Climate Strategies, recently participated in a crucial webinar hosted by the Community College Research Center at Teachers College, Columbia University. This critical conversation between leaders in the green jobs space included climate justice author Bill McKibben, Kristen Westover from Mountain Empire Community College, and Chris McNally from Hudson Valley Community College. They explored how community colleges are uniquely positioned to equip students with the skills needed for the emerging green job market.

Jeffrey shared valuable insights on the partnerships that have allowed the California Community Colleges to make headway in preparing students for the green economy. This timely conversation highlights the critical intersection of education, workforce development, and environmental sustainability. Watch the full webinar recording here: bit.ly/3Mcl83x

Video: The Role of Community Colleges in Preparing Students for the Green Economy An August webinar focused on the role community colleges can play in preparing for the significant workforce transitions that are occurring as colleges, governments, and industries work to limit, adapt to, and mitigate the effects of climate change.

🌟 Happy National Nonprofit Day! 🌟

Today, we’re celebrating the incredible work of nonprofit organizations. As the official nonprofit partner to California Community Colleges, the largest system of higher education in the nation, FoundationCCC is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of students and communities across California.

Led by Keetha Mills, our President and CEO—and a proud community college alumna—FoundationCCC has grown its impact through over 70 programs and services that support California Community Colleges and the students and communities they serve.

This year, we’re excited to partner with Tri Counties Bank to raise funds for the California Community Colleges Student Ambassador Program in celebration of the bank’s 50th Anniversary.

🎓 Join us in making a difference! Visit the link in their post to learn how you can contribute.

National Nonprofit Day celebrates the valuable contributions of nonprofit organizations to local communities. This year, we're shining a light on the Foundation for California Community Colleges (FoundationCCC), the nonprofit partner to the largest system of higher education in the nation. Keetha Mills, the President and CEO of FoundationCCC and a community college alumna herself, understands the transformative power of education. Under her leadership, FoundationCCC has expanded its impact in new and innovative ways, offering over 70 programs and services that support the California Community Colleges and its students. We are proud to partner with FoundationCCC to raise funds for their California Community Colleges Student Ambassador Program in celebration of Tri Counties Bank's 50th Anniversary. To find out how you can contribute, visit https://brnw.ch/21wLUdX. :

Join us in providing critical relief for those affected.
bit.ly/wildfiredisasterrelief

Thousands of California Community Colleges students, faculty and staff have been impacted by fires burning across our state. Many of you have asked how to help. The has a wildfire relief fund for those in need. https://ow.ly/pfON50SXegP

Thousands of students, faculty and staff have been impacted by fires burning across our state. Many of you have asked how to help. has a wildfire and disaster relief fund for those in need. Join us in providing critical relief for those affected. bit.ly/wildfiredisasterrelief
Repost from

Vote today and help FoundationCCC be a part of ! We’ve submitted several session proposals to be considered for the 2025 conference, which you can vote for now through the platform:

1. Holistic Student Support: Bridging Gaps in Higher Education https://bit.ly/HolisticStudentSupport
2. Unified Approaches to Transform Education Delivery https://bit.ly/UnifiedApproaches

Community voting will remain open until August 18. Help influence our opportunity to raise up the transformative impact of the California Community Colleges and share best practices to support students, communities, and our planet!

The Inmate Advisory Committee at Folsom State Prison has generously donated $18,000, their second donation to the Educating for Change Scholarship. The funds will support students at the California Community Colleges who have a parent incarcerated in a state prison. The scholarship aims to interrupt the intergenerational effects of incarceration, and this donation is a powerful example of breaking cycles of incarceration through education and community support. We're deeply moved by this demonstration of belief in education's transformative power.

Read more about the donation and the Educating for Change Scholarship: bit.ly/4dipiT1

Folsom State Prison inmates donate to scholarship fund Folsom State Prison inmates donate to scholarship fund

"Community colleges are not just educational institutions; they are engines of opportunity and catalysts for upward mobility. The importance of these roles cannot be overstated or ignored. Donors must demonstrate bold leadership and reassess their philanthropic priorities to ensure they emphasize impact, scalability, and sustainability,” writes FoundationCCC President and CEO, Keetha Mills, in an article for Inside Philanthropy.

We’re proud to showcase examples of gifts over the years to California Community Colleges, including the $100 million pledge from the Jay Pritzker Foundation made in 2020. The generosity and leadership of the Pritzkers created the Finish Line Scholars Program that has already impacted the lives of over 14,000 students, and we’re deeply thankful to donors like them who have shown recognition of the value of our system. It is our hope that these gifts are not anomalies, but rather the beginning of a transformative shift and movement to empower more individuals to pursue their academic and career goals regardless of their socioeconomic status.

Community Colleges: Making the Most of Philanthropic Dollars to Bring Equity to Higher Education | Inside Philanthropy Only a minuscule fraction of higher ed funding goes to community colleges. Guest author Keetha Mills argues donors can get a lot more impact for their buck by giving the community institutions another look.

Many thanks to U.S. Bank for its support of the California Community Colleges Student Ambassador Program! We recently received a $50,000 grant from the U.S. Bank Foundation, which will help support foster youth ambassadors to spread information and resources on available basic needs programs to their peers on campus.

To learn more about the Ambassador Program, show support by donating, or express interest in becoming an ambassador yourself, visit the link below!
https://foundationccc.org/our-work/equity/supporting-students-basic-needs/community-college-student-ambassador-program/

We are thrilled to announce that both CA AfterSchool Network (CAN) and LAUNCH Apprenticeship Network have been awarded CA Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship Grants (COYA)! This funding will empower them to significantly expand high-quality apprenticeship and career opportunities for California's youth.
CAN and LAUNCH are valued partners in our Collaborative Impact Program. Through this innovative program, we incubate, scale, and sustain creative endeavors like CAN and LAUNCH, by providing comprehensive support to help them achieve their missions and maximize their impact on educational opportunities across California.
CAN- https://www.afterschoolnetwork.org/
LAUNCH- https://launchapprenticeship.org/

DAS is pleased to announce the grantees of the first round of the CA Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship Grant (COYA), dedicated to developing and expanding youth apprenticeships for opportunity youth in CA.

Through partnerships with COYA grantees, we are paving the way for CA opportunity youth to thrive through earn-and-learn registered pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeship opportunities in top-paying careers such as healthcare, transportation, advanced manufacturing, information technology, education, and more.

Congratulations to all the COYA grantees!

Read DIR’s COYA press release below.
Press Release: https://www.dir.ca.gov/DIRNews/2024/2024-56.html

We're excited to share that the 2023 LGBTQ+ Summit, "Fiercer Together," earned a Silver 2024 Circle of Excellence Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. The summit brought over 1,000 participants from 105 colleges to uplift LGBTQ+ students on our campuses.

This recognition celebrates the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and the Foundation for California Community Colleges' commitment to building programming and support services to ensure LGBTQ+ students thrive on every campus. It's a win for every student, educator, and ally who's working to create more inclusive community college campuses across California.

Thank you to our dedicated CCC LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee, partners, and participants. Together, we're building a brighter, more inclusive future for California's community colleges.

“We are transforming the way we think about workforce development to create a skilled workforce that meets regional demand and uplifts California’s most diverse communities.” - Sonya Christian, California Community Colleges Chancellor

With its accessibility and expansive 116 campuses, the California Community Colleges system is not just uniquely positioned, but proudly leading efforts in building a greener economy and advancing climate action. A recent California Chamber of Commerce article features how the colleges are driving sustainability and innovation with private-public partnerships for workforce development. Initiatives like Blue Economy and Climate Action Pathways (BECAP) are a cornerstone of the Foundation for California Community Colleges' efforts on Climate Action.

Read the CalChamber article: bit.ly/3y4U6aO

Learn more about our Climate Action efforts here: foundationccc.org/our-work/climate-action/

Local Workforce Development and Economic Mobility Have Extensive Community College Underpinnings Through diverse and innovative workforce development programs and initiatives, California Community Colleges are directly shaping the future of the

With the real estate industry constantly on the rise, the Real Estate Pathways Endowment’s endowment model ensures a sustainable availability of funds to support pathways to a real estate career for California Community Colleges students and campuses statewide. Excess earnings after scholarships and grants are invested to grow the program’s impact and expand ongoing support for years to come. Be a part of that investment; donate today: bit.ly/realestateendowment

The future of our forests is being shaped today. The Foundation for California Community Colleges is excited to be in attendance at the 26th International Union of Forest Research Organizations - IUFRO World Congress in Stockholm, Sweden. This global gathering of forest stakeholders brings together science and policy to shape a sustainable future for forests and society.

Our video, “Regrowing Communities: California Resilient Careers in Forestry,” is showcased at this global event. It highlights our efforts in workforce training for green jobs through California Community Colleges and our commitment to building a sustainable future for our forests and communities.

Watch the video and learn more about our Resilient Careers in Forestry program: bit.ly/IUFRO2024

Our President and CEO, Keetha Mills, represented the Foundation for California Community Colleges at the SelectUSA Investment Summit in D.C. this week. On the Workforce Development Panel, she discussed crucial topics such as labor market challenges and regional talent development.

Keetha highlighted how FoundationCCC works closely with our partners at the California Community Colleges to open up better pathways to employment for workers in key industries and areas of growth. This includes through projects like our Resilient Careers in Forestry Project, funded by a Good Jobs Challenge grant, where we're helping to scale a system for training and placing qualified Californians into high-quality, well-paying jobs in fire and forestry. The panel also explored state partnerships and innovative recruitment strategies that are essential for economic growth and development, including how community colleges are key to building a skilled workforce and fostering economic mobility.

We extend our gratitude to SelectUSA for hosting this important event and to fellow participants Patrick Bourke, Jessica Borza, and Christopher Chung for their valuable contributions.

Four innovative projects are poised to transform nursing education in California. The 2024 Nursing Education Investment Grants Program is awarding a total of $452,000 to nursing initiatives led by California Community Colleges. Cuesta College is addressing the Central Coast’s nursing shortage with accelerated 12-month pathways for licensed vocational nurses (LVN). Río Hondo College is utilizing virtual reality simulations to support Hispanic nursing students. Butte-Glenn Community College District and Butte are expanding the Butte College LVN program and providing essential mental health and basic needs services. Taft College is introducing a new Associate Degree in Nursing program to meet Kern County’s nursing needs. Discover how the colleges are empowering the next generation of nurses: bit.ly/NEIF24

Transform lives with real estate scholarships. The California Community Colleges offer classes approved by the California Department of Real Estate and the California Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers that prepare students for a successful real estate career. Scholarships from the Real Estate Pathways Endowment remove financial barriers and pave the way for all students to achieve their real estate dreams. Support future real estate professionals by donating today: bit.ly/realestateendowment

As May concludes, let's continue nurturing our mental wellness beyond . Should you or someone you know need understanding or support, reach out to connect to your community through the Crisis Text Line—just send "COURAGE" to 741741. In connecting with others and checking in on our mental wellness, we create a culture of support and understanding at the California Community Colleges. Learn more: bit.ly/4aFEGHO

🎉 We are excited to celebrate Yvette Garcia, Melissa Jauregui, Amanda Mellett, and Anissa Mitchell, who have been honored with the Classified Employee of the Year Award by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors. The award honors outstanding classified professionals and their unwavering commitment to equitable student outcomes. This year, the awardees represented Barstow Community College, Sierra College, Coast Community College District, and Mt. SAC. The Foundation for California Community Colleges proudly supports this award and celebrates the significant contributions of our classified staff.

¡No te pierdas las palabras inspiradoras de Aimee en nuestro último video! Aimee nos asegura que los colegios están aquí para servir a todos los estudiantes, sin importar su estatus migratorio. Escucha sus consejos para las mujeres inmigrantes que buscan utilizar todos los recursos disponibles en los California Community Colleges. bit.ly/4dCG9B1

La campaña Determinad Voices, financiada por Michelson Philanthropies, comparte las historias triunfantes de mujeres inmigrantes en los California Community Colleges. Sus triunfos y consejos pueden empoderar e inspirar a otros estudiantes inmigrantes en su recorrido por la educación superior. ¡Sigue para descubrir más historias de mujeres inmigrantes poderosas!

¡Imperdible! Aimee comparte su experiencia como inmigrante indocumentada y como los California Community Colleges le dió tiempo y apoyo para planificar sus estudios. Ahora, Aimee se dedica a ayudar a otros estudiantes a conocer las oportunidades y derechos disponibles para los estudiantes indocumentados. Su mensaje es claro: cada estudiante tiene el poder de hacerse escuchar y derechos que aportan su suenos educativos. Mira ahora: bit.ly/4bDWSSu

Estén atentos mientras compartimos la parte final de la historia de Aimee y sus consejos para otras mujeres inmigrantes esta semana. La campaña Determinad Voices, financiada por Michelson Philanthropies, comparte las historias triunfantes de mujeres inmigrantes en los California Community Colleges. Sus triunfos y consejos pueden empoderar e inspirar a otros estudiantes inmigrantes en su recorrido por la educación superior. ¡Sigue para descubrir más historias de mujeres inmigrantes poderosas!

Finals season can turn up life’s volume. If it gets too loud, text "COURAGE" to 741741 for a listening ear and a comforting chat. Connect to comfort when life gets loud. When you check in with yourself and those around you, we cultivate a supportive community for students at California Community Colleges. You're not in this alone.

Cuando se preparaba para ingresar a la universidad, Aimee descubrió que era una inmigrante indocumentada. Aun así, ella no se rindió. Escúchala compartir cómo superó los desafíos de su estatus migratorio mientras asistía a Long Beach City College: bit.ly/3WEI81w

Estén atentos mientras compartimos más sobre la historia de Aimee y sus consejos para otras mujeres inmigrantes esta semana. La campaña Determinad Voices, financiada por Michelson Philanthropies, comparte las historias triunfantes de mujeres inmigrantes en los California Community Colleges. Sus triunfos y consejos pueden empoderar e inspirar a otros estudiantes inmigrantes en su recorrido por la educación superior. ¡Sigue para descubrir más historias de mujeres inmigrantes poderosas!

Achieving ambitious state and federal climate goals requires the proactive engagement of our nation’s community and technical colleges. Here’s why: Community colleges are trusted fixtures within their communities and can help society mitigate and adapt to climate change through scalable technology and workforce development training, fostering diverse perspectives in climate solutions, and sustainable modeling.

Read more on the scale, speed, and community engagement opportunities offered by community and technical colleges in today’s opinion piece for Inside Higher Ed written by Foundation for California Community Colleges Senior Director for Climate Strategies, Jeffrey Clary, alongside University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Cameron Sublett.

Community colleges are critical to climate action (opinion) Community colleges are an underutilized resource in meeting climate goals, Cameron Sublett and Jeff Clary write.

The Real Estate Pathways Endowment works to break down exclusivity barriers to real estate careers by funding student success and supporting the enhancement of real estate education that aligns with industry best practices and priorities. By making a diverse range of real estate programs at California Community Colleges statewide possible and providing students the resources they need to pursue and excel in them, the Real Estate Pathways Endowment creates a more diverse real estate workforce and ensures that paths to economic and social mobility are accessible to all. Donate today:

Powerful advice from Ariana to immigrant women who are thinking about starting their journey. See her shine a light on support systems available to undocumented students and how she navigated Santa Rosa Junior College as an undocumented student: bit.ly/44pZfpE



The Determined Voices campaign, funded by Michelson Philanthropies, gives us the opportunity to share the amazing experiences of powerful immigrant California Community Colleges alumna like Ariana to empower and inspire other immigrant women to find success through . Follow to discover more stories from powerful immigrant women!

Shaping Tomorrow's Workforce: Breaking Barriers to Employment Initiative is announcing $4.2 million in grants to 11 groundbreaking workforce projects. By creating innovative pipelines to quality jobs, upward mobility, and income security, these organizations are transforming the landscape of workforce development.
Explore the impactful work of the awardees: bit.ly/49XXv8x

Programs supported by the initiative are awarded through grants funded by SB 101, approved by California Governor Gavin Newsom, and administered by the Foundation on behalf of the California Workforce Development Board.