FoundationCCC President and CEO Advocates for Philanthropy
FoundationCCC is proud to announce that our President and CEO, Keetha Mills, has recently penned an op-ed published in Inside Philanthropy, a leading publication in the philanthropic sector. The article, titled ‘Community Colleges Making the Most of Philanthropic Dollars to Bring Equity to Higher Education,’ showcases FoundationCCC’s commitment to advancing equity in higher education through strategic philanthropy. In the piece, Keetha emphasizes the unique role of community colleges in transforming diverse students’ lives through accessible education and inclusive environments, positioning these institutions as ideal partners for philanthropic investments aimed at creating meaningful, sustainable change.
“Community colleges are not just educational institutions; they are engines of opportunity and catalysts for upward mobility,” She stated in the article. “Through strategic partnerships with philanthropic organizations and individuals, we can significantly enhance opportunities for all students and create lasting impact in our communities.”
The op-ed discusses several key points:
- The critical role of community colleges in providing accessible education
- How targeted donations can directly support equity-advancing programs and services
- Examples of recent significant philanthropic investments in community colleges, including:
- The Finish Line Scholars Program, funded by a $100 million gift from the Jay Pritzker Foundation and operated by FoundationCCC
- MacKenzie Scott’s $155 million unrestricted donation to seven California community colleges
The article serves as a call to action for increased philanthropic support of community colleges.
“These examples represent a growing understanding of the transformative power of community colleges, and I’m deeply thankful to donors who have already stepped up. But it can’t stop here — these gifts must not be anomalies, but rather the beginning of a transformative shift and movement.”
We encourage our partners to read the full article on Inside Philanthropy’s website to learn how community colleges are uniquely positioned to strategically collaborate with philanthropic partners to support students and communities.
FoundationCCC remains committed to supporting California’s community colleges, students, and communities through innovative programs, partnerships, and advocacy.
Latest News
Student Ambassadors Celebrate Eight Years of Community Impact
On June 12, FoundationCCC hosted the California Community Colleges Community Resource Student Ambassador End-of-Year Celebration, an inspiring virtual event honoring the passion, commitment, and achievements of student ambassadors statewide. The event recording is now available.
Impactful Regional Convenings to Support AANHPI Students
This spring, the CCC Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Student Achievement Program (AANHPI SAP) made significant strides in supporting California community colleges through a three-part series of impactful regional convenings. Find out more about these gatherings.
Building a Statewide Movement Around Work-Based Learning
Work-based learning has seen growing interest and investment across the system. This webinar series builds on that momentum. Register for the upcoming sessions.