Ventura College Foundation

Over the past four decades, the VC Foundation has raised over $48 million to benefit Ventura College students and programs. This support has taken many forms, from scholarships to textbook and equipment lending, Basic Needs and emergency grants, to numerous campus programs. We are proud to have pioneered the VC Promise, California's first community college Promise program, providing a tuition-free education for full-time, first-time students served as a model in the creation of the California College Promise Grant program.

Generous donor support for the past 40 years has empowered tens of thousands of Ventura College students to achieve their educational goals and to fulfill their dreams of a rewarding career, higher income, and a better quality of life for generations.

Our students come to Ventura College with a passion and drive to better their lives, yet many face challenges that interfere with their ability to achieve their potential. Among our 10,000 students:
64% are Latinx
72% are part-time students, many working multiple jobs
40% are first in their families to go to college
52% are low or extremely low income
50% are food insecure

Yet, in 2022-23:
2,158 Associates degrees were awarded
687 Associates degrees for transfer were awarded
1,785 certificates were awarded
Approx. 1,000 students transferred to 4-year universities

The VC Foundation's mission is to open doors to opportunity by breaking down financial barriers so VC students are empowered to succeed. With continued philanthropic support and our collective determination, we can achieve even greater milestones TOGETHER by investing in VC students!

GOAL 1: Expand Support to Students
A. Increase number and size of scholarships dispersed and student support services received.
B. Address current and future needs across the whole spectrum of the student populations
C. Make it easier for students to get aid even when going to multiple schools
D. Remove barriers for students (textbooks & tools, support food & housing efforts, etc.)
E. Focus our funding to address gaps not addressed by other dollars
F. Enable more part-time students to move to full-time and/or complete in 6 years
G. Collaborate with community entities to expand range of opportunities for students
GOAL 2: GROW REVENUE and ENSURE SUSTAINABLE FINANCIAL STRUCTURE
A. Increase amount of revenue available to support student success
B. Maintain on-going financial commitments and direct marketing efforts
C. Add giving populations: Alumni Giving, Parent Giving, and Student Giving.
D. Add additional Specific Campus Program and Services Support
E. Balance revenue and expenses in order to meet activity goal
F. Increase Marketplace revenue on Saturdays and maintain revenue on Sundays
G. Expand ongoing internal partnerships between VCF staff and campus partners (administration, faculty, classified professionals, counseling, financial aid, registrar, tutoring, library, basic needs.
H. Expand ongoing external partnerships between VCF staff, campus partners, and community partners
GOAL 3: ENHANCE PROFILE OF COLLEGE AND FOUNDATION AS VITAL PARTNER IN COMMUNITY
A. Highlight the impact of community support on student accomplishments that provide clear benefits for Ventura County
B. Increase communication with past, current, future students and their families
C. Engage community donors in stories of support for student success
D. Engage VCF board members as spokespeople for VCF accomplishments and goals
E. Work with businesses and organizations to incorporate their support for VC students as part of their identities.
F. Collaborate with government entities to enhance messaging in support of students and campus programs
GOAL 4: IMPROVE INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN COLLEGE AND FOUNDATION
A. Ensure clarity and reconciliation of policies and processes between college and foundation
B. Find ways to further support each other to effectively and efficiently to meet college and foundations goals
C. Clarify roles and responsibilities between foundation and college staff to ensure that policies and procedures are followed.
D. Ensure that all employees take the necessary trainings that enable the college and foundation to work together smoothly
GOAL 5: ENSURE A SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONAL STRUCTURE
A. As the college grows and student needs grow, the Ventura College Foundation adapts to address changing priorities.
B. Support board member recruitment, mentorship and promote robust participation.
C. Make sure there is an adequate number of Foundation staff with the requisite skills and have adequate systems to carry out functions.

Established in 1983, the Ventura College Foundation is one of the most successful community college foundations in California, having raised over $48 million for Ventura College and its students. Through this support, the Foundation assists the College in facilitating student success and grows the impact and legacy of the College as a vital community asset.

The Ventura College Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) charitable organization led by a 21-member board of directors. The foundation is an auxiliary organization of the Ventura County Community College District. With a $3.1 million budget and $29.6 million in assets, this foundation is one of the larger foundations in the California community college system. Through the power of education and the strength of this organization, VCF is uniquely positioned to drive additional and critical resources to close persistent equity gaps and solve educated workforce shortages in our county.

VC FOUNDATION PROGRAMS
VC Promise Tuition & Enrollment Fee Assistance Program for 1st & 2nd Year Students
VC Basic Needs
General Scholarships
Phoenix Scholarships for Re-entry & Veteran students
Textbook & Equipment Lending Library
Foster Youth Support
Weekend Marketplace
Ventura College Campus Programs & Corporate Partnership Support

Our community colleges drive social and economic mobility in Ventura County and beyond. We know that if our students achieve their academic goals at VC, they can fulfill their dreams of a rewarding career, higher income, and better quality of life.

What We Accomplished in 2022-23:

An important component in assisting student success involves removing barriers to their goals and dreams. One of the most commonly cited such barriers is finances.

During the 2022-23 academic year, the unwavering support of our donors enabled us to provide $809,995 in direct assistance to over 5,000 students. Additionally, we facilitated an impressive $1.17 million for 68 unique programs across 16 different departments/divisions at Ventura College.

While these achievements are commendable, the need to remove financial barriers and expand educational access is more pressing than ever. Community colleges are the least funded educational system in the state; K-12, UC and Cal State schools all receive significantly more funding per student.

A striking 55 percent of VC students face food insecurity. Yet our determined students preserve. Previously serving 250 students weekly, this semester, they assist 250 students daily and the VC Foundation Board has escalated our financial commitment to the VC Basic Needs Office going forward.