About The Foundation

The College of the Canyons (COC) Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit auxiliary organization formed to generate philanthropic support for College of the Canyons.. The Foundation's mission is to provide access to an affordable and accessible college education for all, to improve lives, and to empower success. This allows College of the Canyons to perform beyond the achievement level that tax dollars alone can support and to strive for the highest levels of excellence in teaching, scholarship, vocational training, and innovation. With the support of a dedicated Foundation Board and committed volunteers, we fulfill this mission through fundraising and grant making.

Established in 1987, the Foundation is designated to receive gifts for the college from individuals, corporations and foundations. Just as it is with other educational institutions, our college needs charitable gifts to endow scholarships and support educational programs and capital improvements that can mean the difference between ordinary and extraordinary programs and services for student success.

Who are our students? They are former foster youth, veterans, and uniquely abled individuals who need specialized support to thrive. They are adults returning to school—some displaced by technology, others ready to pursue new dreams. They are the first responders who will one day save lives: 50% of whom are educated at California Community Colleges. Our students are smart, tech-savvy future engineers, researchers, and medical professionals. They are artists, designers, coders and even environmental stewards—performing on stage, bringing creativity to life, and saving indigenous bees and plants. They are our future.

Why do we care? Because education changed our lives, and we know it can change the lives of others. We are committed to ensuring every student has that same opportunity. We’ve donated, endowed, and pledged to give more. But today, our students face growing challenges. Federal and state budget cuts, changes to grants and student loans, and rising consumer costs are threatening the support systems our students rely on. Nearly half of COC students — 43% — experience food insecurity. More than a third — 35% — do not have a stable place to call home. These are not abstract statistics. They are the realities behind the faces you see on this campus every day, students who are fully capable of changing the trajectory of their lives and contributing meaningfully to our workforce and our community.

Since its founding, the Foundation has worked tirelessly to:

• Raise more than $36.6 million cumulatively to assist programs and students.
• Establish more than 240 scholarships that are awarded annually.
• Generate more than $5 million toward the University Center and Culinary Arts Capital Campaigns.
• Raise more than $1 million for endowed scholarships through the Osher initiative.
• Grant more than $255,000 over the last five years in mini grants to fund innovative projects and academic programs.
• Provide funding to build the Cougar Den outdoor meeting area adjacent to the stadium.
• Co-found the Santa Clarita Valley Nonprofit Leadership Network that serves more than 100 local nonprofit organizations and agencies.