Ventura College Foundation
Your Dreams. Our Mission.
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Students come to Ventura College (VC) with a variety of strengths, dreams, and needs. VC and the Ventura College Foundation (VCF) work hand in hand to address needs that can interfere with students achieving their potential. VC is every bit a college of the community that has a 98-year history of serving families generation after generation and have over the years increase enrollment of Hispanic students to 62% of the student population. VC students come from a wide range of backgrounds. Out of 10,825 students, notable barriers that some VC students experience include: • 40% are the first in their families to go to college • 52% are classified as extremely low-income to low-income Despite these barriers, over 2,000 students graduate annually and about 1,000 students successfully transfer to a UC or CSU. VCF supports VC students in breaking through individual barriers to achieve their academic dreams.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Ventura College Foundation Student Scholarships
Approximately 52% of Ventura College students each year are classified as low- to moderate-income students (e.g. students with a household income of $54,000 or less for a family of four). More than 425 scholarships are available to Ventura College students and are a great way to ease the financial burden many of our students carry as they pursue their education and/or career.
Donors may make a donation each year to award a scholarship to a qualified student who meets the donor criteria, including an area of study, merit, or interests. The minimum amount for an annual named scholarship is $1,200 or a scholarship endowment can be established with a minimum gift of $22,300 to fund a scholarship into perpetuity.
David P. Bianco Textbook Lending & Reserve Library
Textbooks are often the largest educational expense encountered by a Ventura College student.
Funded by donors and the Ventura College Foundation Marketplace, the following programs allow students to successfully complete their courses without the financial burden of buying textbooks.
RESERVE COLLECTION
The Reserve Collection allows students to check out their books for a two hour time period while at the Library. The collection has a copy of almost every textbook in use each semester.
LENDING LIBRARY
The Lending Library allows students to check out up to three textbooks for an entire semester at no cost.
The College and Foundation partner to host a priority day the week before the start of each semester to allow those that participate the chance to be the first to check out available textbooks
Ventura College Foundation Phoenix Scholarship Program
The Phoenix Scholarship Program was established in November 1999 by Ventura College Foundation board members who learned about the unique needs of Ventura College re-entry and veteran students. The Phoenix Scholarship is designed to assist these students who have minimal or no resources to fund the cost of their education. Re-entry students are individuals who must learn new skills and return to school to do so; or who have chosen to return to school after a break in education.
Jerry Arellano Veteran Resource Center Library
The Jerry Arellano Veteran Resource Center Library is funded by donors in Ventura County who are passionate about helping veterans excel academically.
This program provides textbook stipends to U.S. veteran students at Ventura College who are reserving their G.I. Bill® education benefits for four-year University education. Eligible students can benefit for a maximum of one academic year or two semesters at VC.
Students who receive these vouchers are required to donate one of their textbooks to the Jerry Arellano Veteran Resource Center Library located in the Veterans Resource Center each semester while receiving this funding. The goal is to build this lending library and support future VC veteran students.
VC Promise
Ventura College was the first community college in California to offer a tuition Promise Program with the support of public and private donors to the Ventura College Foundation.
Since its inception in 2007, more than $4 million in tuition costs have been covered.
VC Promise’s success served as a model for the creation of the statewide California College Promise Program in 2017. The state program aimed to enable Ventura College to cover tuition and fees for eligible incoming first-year, first-time, full-time students for up to two years at VC, until this academic year.
State budget cuts caused a shortfall in Promise funding in 2022 and future state funding is on shaky ground.
To ensure that our pioneering program meets its financial commitment for the 2022-23 academic year, the VC Foundation is fundraising again for the VC Promise.
Jordana Ybarra-Telias Emergency Grant Fund
Jordana Ybarra-Telias was the coordinator of the Ventura College Veteran Resource Center and president of the Ventura College Classified Senate until her passing in May 2022.
Ybarra-Telias was in the process of establishing an emergency grant program for veterans to receive “mini-grants” to help pay for emergency expenses. The Ventura College Foundation took on the fundraising efforts. The grant program was established and named in Ybarra-Telias’ honor.
The Jordana Ybarra-Telias Emergency Grant program will distribute more than $20,000 in emergency mini-grants to students until the funds are exhausted. Veterans can request emergency financial assistance to help pay for such expenses as medical bills, rent, utilities, and car repairs. The goal is to not let a financial emergency prevent students from focusing on their studies.
Where we work
Awards
Professional Fundraiser of the Year: Anne Paul King 2019
Association of Fundraising Professionals Santa Barbara/Ventura Chapter
2021 Poinsettia Award Hometown Hero: Esmeralda Juarez 2021
Ventura Chamber of Commerce
2022 Latino Business Awards: Esmeralda Juarez 2022
Pacific Coast Business Times
2022 Poinsettia Awards Young Professional of the Year: Gerry Pantoja 2022
Ventura Chamber of Commerce
Affiliations & memberships
Association of Fundraising Professionals Santa Barbara/Ventura Chapter 2023
Network of California Community College Foundations 2023
Cal Lutheran University Center for Nonprofit Leadership 2023
Association of Advancement Services Professionals 2023
External reviews
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Evaluation documents
Download evaluation reportsNumber of academic scholarships awarded
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Ethnic and racial groups, Economically disadvantaged people, Students, Immigrants and migrants, Veterans
Related Program
Ventura College Foundation Student Scholarships
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Number of scholarships that were awarded by the Ventura College Foundation to students in an academic year. *Year to year awards fluctuate based on the number of eligible applicants.
Total dollar amount of scholarship awarded
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Ethnic and racial groups, Economically disadvantaged people, Students, Veterans
Related Program
Ventura College Foundation Student Scholarships
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Total dollar amount of scholarships awarded from Endowed Scholarship Funds* & Annual Scholarship Funds each year. *Scholarship funds fluctuate due to effects investment earnings year over year.
Number of students who had their first year of college paid
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Ethnic and racial groups, Economically disadvantaged people, Students
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Total number of 1st & 2nd-year students who had their tuition & enrollment fees paid by the VC Foundation. In 2020-21 & 2021-22, the California Promise Program provided funding for the VC Promise.
Number of new scholarships awarded
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Ethnic and racial groups, Economically disadvantaged people, Students
Related Program
Ventura College Foundation Student Scholarships
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Total number of new scholarships (both Endowed Scholarship Funds & Annual Scholarships) created and awarded in an academic year.
Number of students receiving textbook support
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Ethnic and racial groups, Economically disadvantaged people, Students
Related Program
David P. Bianco Textbook Lending & Reserve Library
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Number of Ventura College students that used the free semester lending library or that accessed their class textbook through the reserve library. In 2020-21, campus library closed due to COVID.
Number of campus programs supported
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Students
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Number of Ventura College campus programs that received donor support that was facilitated by the Ventura College Foundation.
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The Ventura College Foundation was initially established for the purpose of raising funds for student scholarships. While our focus has expanded over the years, we continue to support our students through our scholarship program. Our student support programs promoting student success by:
Removing Barriers to Educational Progress and Success
Textbook Lending Programs: The Textbook Lending Library has been in existence since 2007 and was known on campus as the Faith George Lending Library. In 2010, it expanded to include the college’s East Campus in Santa Paula. It is now known to the foundation as the David P. Bianco Textbook Lending Library in memory of one of the board’s most ardent champions of the program, and Jerry Arellano Veterans Lending Library to meet the needs of veterans.
Scholarships for Continuing Students: Annually, over $650,000 in funding through 400+ scholarships are available to about 250 Ventura College students who are ready and able to benefit from the financial support, via a single Ventura College Foundation Scholarship Application. Our scholarships are designed to enable and encourage students to achieve their goals.
Supporting Transition to New Opportunities
Scholarships for Transfer Students: From our $650,000 in annual scholarship funding, one in four applicants who are transferring to a 4-year university are awarded $3,000+ packages through their student business account at their transfer institution.
Public-Private Partnerships Create Career Pathways: The college supports 25 career education programs. The foundation staff work with a number of these programs annually to attract and support industry partners through grants from outside foundations and from the industry partners themselves. In addition to providing feedback on curriculum, tools and resources, industry partners are encouraged to provide apprenticeships and internships so that more and more of our students have industry experience before they graduate.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
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.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Established in 1983, the Ventura College Foundation is one of the most successful community college foundations in California, having raised nearly $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 $2.3 million budget and $27.1 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.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
What We Accomplished in 2021-21:
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. Thanks to the support of our generous Ventura community and the hard-working people at the Foundation, during the 2021-2021 school year, 446 scholarships were awarded to 240 Ventura College students amounting to $756,908 in support, 1,171 students benefitted textbook support with 1,150 benefitting from the David P. Bianco Textbook Lending and Reserve Library, and 21 veterans benefitting from the Jerry Arellano Veteran Resource Center Library. The VC Foundation also facilitated another $1,245,049 in academic and campus program support. The total support the VC Foundation provided to the students and programs of Ventura College during 2021-22 was over $2.5 million dollars.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, Verifying data with the College is difficult due to FERPA laws.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Ventura College Foundation
Board of directorsas of 07/10/2023
Nicole Kreutz
Montecito Bank & Trust
Term: 2023 - 2025
Amy Cherot
Retired, Amgen
Anne Paul King
Executive Director, Ventura College Foundation
Eleanor Tillquist
Retired
Rob van Nieuwburg
Business Relations Director,Ventura Toyota
Nicole Kreutz
VP/Senior Portfolio Manager
J. Boomer Butler
C.P.A.
Ken Collin
Retired
Dr. Kimberly Hoffmans
President, Ventura College
Matt LaVere
Principal, LaVere Huff LLP
Michael Orman
Market President, Bank of the Sierra
Catherine Bojorquez
Vice President of Business & Administrative Services, Ventura College
Abra Flores
Costume Designer & Faculty, Ventura College
Harald Wulff
Retired Chemical Industry Executive
Ed Summers
Former Banker, CEO/President of Ventura County Chamber of Commerce, and Former Ventura City Council member
Dr. Robert Beilin
Licensed Marital Family Therapist
Mark Huff
ASVC President
Debe Bylo
Retired Educator
Mark Dufresne
Banker, Wells Fargo
Liz Kraus
Adjunct professor of English, Emirita at Ventura College
Dr. Jill Muraoka Lim
Veterinarian & Co-Founder of Ohana Pet Hospital
Lydia Matthews-Morales
Retired Faculty Member
Ellyn Dembowski
Realtor
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
Equity strategies
Last updated: 05/09/2023GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured.
- We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.