San Bernardino Valley College and the CSU Fresno Foundation receive funding from the Foundation for California Community Colleges to innovate nursing programs

SACRAMENTO, CA — The Foundation for California Community Colleges (FoundationCCC) today announced $486,300 in Nursing Education Investment Grants to help prepare more nurses for California’s growing healthcare needs. Following a competitive application process, San Bernardino Valley College and the California State University, Fresno Foundation (CSU Fresno Foundation) were selected to receive funding during the 2026 grant cycle. 

Funded by the Nursing Education Investment Fund (NEIF) and administered by the FoundationCCC, the grants support innovative projects that improve nursing education through faculty development, expanded clinical training, and accelerated pathways to registered nursing.

San Bernardino Valley College received funding for “Strengthening Clinical Skills Training for Future Nurses at San Bernardino Valley College.” The project will equip expanded nursing skills and simulation laboratories in the college’s new Health Sciences building with practice-ready clinical equipment. By increasing access to realistic training environments, the initiative will strengthen clinical skills development, enhance licensure readiness, and prepare more nurses to serve the Inland Empire.

The CSU Fresno Foundation received funding for “Strengthening Community College Nursing Faculty Capacity through Regional Collaboration.” Supporting five community colleges, 11 additional nursing programs, and 10 clinical partners, the initiative will strengthen faculty, director, and clinical preceptor preparation across the Central San Joaquin Valley. Through regional governance, clinical placement data alignment, and a hybrid faculty development model, the project will better prepare nursing students to deliver high-quality, culturally responsive care in rural and underserved communities.

The 2026 awards build on more than two decades of investment in California’s nursing workforce. Established in 2005 through an agreement between the FoundationCCC, WellPoint, Inc., and the Insurance Commissioner for the State of California, NEIF celebrated its 20th anniversary last year. Since its inception, the fund has awarded 37 projects more than $8 million. 

With tuition set at just $46 per unit, California Community Colleges offer one of the nation’s most affordable pathways to becoming a registered nurse through Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) to Registered Nurse (RN) programs. NEIF grants enhance these programs by investing in innovative learning opportunities in rural and underserved communities. 

For a full list of awarded projects and grantees, visit FoundationCCC’s program page.

The Foundation for California Community Colleges works to benefit students, colleges, and communities by accelerating paths to economic and social mobility, strengthening communities, and reducing barriers to opportunities for all Californians. FoundationCCC is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization founded in 1998. It serves as the official statewide nonprofit organization supporting the California Community Colleges, the largest system of higher education in the nation. For more information, visit www.foundationccc.org.