The City College Foundation
By Hannah Clark-Nixon
hannahclarknixon@gmail.com
The Foundation of City College is an independent organization whose mission is to provide financial support for the students and programs of City College of San Francisco.
Founded in January 2002, The Foundation began with six inaugural members and has since grown to over 130 members. While the Foundation boasts a 50-year legacy, it has not updated its media accounts since 2019. For the latest and most accurate information, the CCSF official website remains the primary resource.
The Foundation is led by President Kat Anderson, an attorney and graduate of Stanford and U.C. Hastings Law School. Anderson is also a commissioner for Recreation and Parks, among other civic commitments. She assumed her role during a seamless transition from former Foundation president, Ed Eschbach, who now serves as treasurer on the Board.
The Foundation’s mission is to provide volunteer services and financial assistance to CCSF, as well as to create outreach into the community to increase public knowledge and support of City College. The only membership requirement is to purchase a ticket to the annual luncheon or to make a comparable donation to the Basic Skills scholarship fund. The luncheon in 2019 raised close to $300,000 in a single day.
Over $3 million has been raised for scholarships through income from its annual Basic Skills Luncheon. The luncheon brings together over 300 people to support Basic Skills students and listen to inspiring community speakers. A student speaker, usually a Guardian Scholar, is always featured on the program.
In 2019, The Foundation launched the Promise Scholarship Program at CCSF. This program aims to help qualified high school seniors complete their degree in five semesters. Each matriculated, transfer-bound student receives a $10,000 scholarship over two years, allowing the student to finish and move on to a four-year college or university, especially the CSU and UC systems.
The Foundation Promise Program partners with the very successful Metro Transfer Program, which helps students stay on track at CCSF and finish their transfer requirements. Students receive academic counseling, access to a student resource room, tutoring, peer mentoring, and a grounding in social justice while developing strong academic skills. Metro students also receive priority registration.
The Foundation of CCSF accepts stock donations, Which may offer significant tax benefits, especially if transferred directly to the Foundation rather than sold first. The easiest way to donate stock is through DTC (Depository Trust Company). The Foundation also offers scholarships for the following opportunities: Annual Fund, Chinatown Initiative, City Dream, Culinary Arts and Hospitality Studies, Diego Rivera Mural Restoration Fund, Friends of the CCSF Library, Guardian Scholars, Veterans Resource Center Fun, and a multitude of sports team programs. If you are interested in applying or donating to any of these opportunities, you can visit The Foundation’s ‘What to Give to’ page for more details.
In a 2019 update, Foundation President Kat Anderson states “The members of the CCSF Foundation Board are unsung heroes, quietly working to make a difference in the lives of our students with meaningful financial support. They humbly eschew the limelight or praise, yet their commitment to our mission to keep the American Dream alive for our students is inspiring.”