Foundation for the LA Community Colleges Invests $1 Million in Scholarships and Programmatic Resources in 2023 to Empower Students for Success

LOS ANGELES: With contributions and grants from community members, corporations, and funders, the Foundation for the Los Angeles Community Colleges granted more than $1 million in scholarships and programmatic resources in 2022-2023. These funds assisted students across all nine colleges throughout LACCD through direct aid, immigration fee assistance, experiential learning opportunities, and more. This significant contribution reaffirms the Foundation’s commitment to fostering academic opportunity, supporting students, and advancing community development. 

“The Foundation recognizes the pivotal role that education plays in shaping the future of individuals and communities, and this investment reflects a dedicated effort to eliminate financial barriers and enhance educational opportunities,” said Chief Advancement Officer Kelly King. “This one-million-dollar amount demonstrates a commitment to the communities we serve by ensuring basic needs, mentorship programs, career counseling services, and workshops focused on skills development open up the door of possibilities to our students.”

Here are a few highlights:

Addressing Housing Insecurity:
• GATEWAYS Housing Program at Los Angeles Southwest College (LASC)provides critical resources and support for unhoused, food-insecure, and homeless students within the LASC community. 

Corporate Partnerships:
• Grants from Apple ensured the continuation of education programming by leveraging Everyone Can Code, Everyone Can Create, and Apple’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative Challenge for Change. 
• PepsiCo Foundation supported the Uplift Scholars Program, a significant investment supporting workforce development programs, including scholarships, emergency aid, advising, and access to internships and jobs. 
• AT&T Connected Learning Initiative supported Student Support Hubs at multiple campuses. These programs provide critical resources needed to persist and succeed through academic enrichment, tutoring, and increased access to books, program supplies, food, transportation, scholarships, and housing.  

Experiential Education:
• The Mayor's Young Ambassador Initiative ("MaYA") connects young Angelenos with the international community. LACCD’s College Promise students have the opportunity for short-term international travel and learning opportunities, with all costs covered. Recent trips included Costa Rica, France, Ecuador, and Armenia.  

Dual Enrollment:
• Supported by the California Community Foundation’s LASIF BROADEN Initiative, Los Angeles Valley College launched the Men of Color High Achieving (MOCHA) learning community to help transition high school men of color from Los Angeles Unified School District through their first year at LA Valley College.

Health Career Pathways:
• Gifts from generous community members paid for every nursing graduate to take the NCLEX licensing exam at no cost as well as emergency and persistence grants for current students.  

STEM Scholarships:
• Grants from Southern California Edison and Robert R. Sprague Foundation Fund at the California Community Foundation sponsored dozens of scholarships for students studying Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) at West Los Angeles, Los Angeles Southwest College and Los Angeles Trade Tech College. 

Resources for Dreamers and First-Time College Students:
• Support from the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles assisted LACCD’s nine Dream Resource Centers in building capacity and helped students across the District to access fee waivers for legal application fees. 
• Community-driven fundraisers supported scholarships for undocumented studentsand students pursuing in-language classes. 
• In partnership with UnidosUS, students participated in the culturally relevant Avanzando Through College college-retention program. 

These scholarships and program support grants are dedicated to initiatives that directly benefit students and the community at large.

About the Foundation  

The Foundation for the Los Angeles Community Colleges supports giving and partnerships that advance postsecondary access and success for the diverse students and communities served by the Los Angeles Community College District. We envision a future where all individuals seeking to broaden their knowledge and skills have access to affordable, high-quality education and career training, regardless of their background. The Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. 

Interested in investing in providing hope and opportunity for an LACCD student? Your gift during this Season of Giving provides critical assistance to our students. Please join us in making a tax-deductive contribution. 
Give here:  https://tinyurl.com/seasonofgiving23 or contact Kelly King for more information.