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College Futures Foundation

Annual Giving
$18.0M
Grant Range
$2K - $1.1M

College Futures Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $16-20 million
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $2,000 - $1,100,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily California, with some national organizations funded
  • Total Assets/Endowment: Approximately $500 million
  • Application Method: Invitation only

Contact Details

Address: 1999 Harrison St Ste 1900, Oakland, CA 94612-4732

Phone: (415) 287-1800

Email: info@collegefutures.org

Website: collegefutures.org

Overview

Established in 2005 from the sale of Chela Education Financing and transitioning to an independent private foundation in 2010, College Futures Foundation operates with an endowment of approximately $500 million and awards nearly $20 million in grants annually. With 180 awards made in 2023, the foundation's mission is "to increase postsecondary completion for learners who are underserved" with a vision of "a California where postsecondary education advances racial, social, and economic equity, unlocking upward mobility now and for generations to come." The foundation has set a priority goal to ensure that, by 2035, at least 70% of underserved California learners will complete a postsecondary degree or credential that increases opportunity for economic mobility. Under the leadership of President & CEO Eloy Ortiz Oakley (appointed August 2022), the foundation acts as both funder and strategic partner, focusing the field by elevating ideas, innovations, and changemakers inside and outside public higher education.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

College Futures Foundation operates through three main strategic focus areas with grants ranging from $2,000 to $1.1 million:

Unlocking Economic Mobility for Adult Learners Initiative: Supports innovative solutions that make postsecondary education more responsive, flexible, and inclusive for California's six million adults under 65 who have some college but no credential. This initiative includes a competitive grant opportunity launched in partnership with Jobs for the Future (JFF).

Aligning Postsecondary Education for Economic Mobility: Advances deeper understanding and a new narrative regarding the future of postsecondary education as a driver of economic mobility through research and convening.

Reimagining Education for the Future of Work: Redesigns policies, narratives, and financing mechanisms to support lifelong upskilling and reskilling and increasing equitable opportunity.

Priority Areas

  • Student-Centric Practices: Helping K-12 and public higher education institutions implement and scale effective student-centered practices to ensure equitable student outcomes
  • Leadership Development: Supporting institutional leaders of color with the opportunity and capacity to successfully champion equitable postsecondary completion within and across systems
  • Finance & Affordability: Partnering with innovators, advocates, and policymakers working to transform the way higher education is structured and resourced
  • Systemic Change: Removing systemic and institutional barriers to college success
  • Equity Focus: Increasing bachelor's degree completion rates for California students who are low-income and historically underrepresented in higher education

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly documented, the foundation focuses exclusively on postsecondary education and economic mobility issues primarily within California. Grants outside of California are limited to national organizations involved in equitable higher education.

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Eloy Ortiz Oakley - President & CEO (appointed August 1, 2022)

  • Former Chancellor of the California Community Colleges for six years
  • Considered a leading voice on improving equity in higher education
  • Background includes serving in the U.S. Army and attending community college before earning degrees from UC Irvine
  • Key perspective: "Because my community college welcomed the top 100 percent of students, I was welcomed"
  • On racial equity: "Let me be clear: Learning and obtaining credentials are not enough for learners of color"

Elizabeth González - Chief Program & Strategy Officer

Phillippe Wallace - Chief Financial and Operating Officer & Corporate Secretary

Board of Directors

The board includes experienced leaders across education, technology, business, and philanthropy:

  • Ashley Swearengin - Board Vice Chair; President and CEO of the Central Valley Community Foundation
  • Martha M. Escutia - Former state senator
  • Arnoldo Avalos - Former manager at several multinational corporations; recently served on the California Community College Board of Governors
  • Aneesh Raman - Brings significant experience across government, technology, and journalism

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

College Futures Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, with the program team conducting its own research to identify promising leaders and organizations, then inviting potential partners to submit proposals.

While they do not accept unsolicited applications, the foundation welcomes opportunities to learn from those doing work that resonates with their mission and values. Organizations interested in connecting with the foundation can reach out via email at info@collegefutures.org to introduce their work.

Getting on Their Radar

The College Futures Foundation program team actively identifies potential grantee partners through their own research in the field. To potentially come to their attention:

  • Participate in Foundation Initiatives: The foundation hosts summits and convenings (such as the Golden Opportunities Summit) where they engage with field leaders
  • Partner with Current Grantees: Organizations already working with established partners like the Foundation for California Community Colleges, Campaign for College Opportunity, or Jobs for the Future may increase visibility
  • Engage with Foundation Leadership: Foundation staff value reciprocal relationships and frequent interactions with partners in the field
  • Align with Current Priorities: Organizations working on adult learner support, economic mobility, or equity in California postsecondary education are most aligned with current strategy

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Interested organizations should contact the foundation directly at info@collegefutures.org for information about current grant opportunities and timelines.

Success Rates

With 180 awards made in 2023 (200 in 2022, 179 in 2021), the foundation maintains active grantmaking, but specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly available given their invitation-only process.

Reapplication Policy

Given the invitation-only nature of the foundation's grantmaking, there is no formal reapplication process for organizations that were not previously funded. The foundation's program team continues to monitor the field for promising work aligned with their strategic priorities.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented priorities and approaches, successful partnerships demonstrate these characteristics:

Strategic Alignment: The foundation activates strategic focus areas by defining what they aim to change, who they support, and how they invest grant funding. Organizations should demonstrate clear alignment with one or more of the three strategic initiatives (adult learners, aligning education for economic mobility, or reimagining education for future of work).

Student-Centered Approach: President & CEO Eloy Ortiz Oakley emphasizes "looking at educational success from the perspectives of students and their families, and measuring impact by more underrepresented students achieving college success." Successful initiatives center lived experience and equity.

Systems Change Orientation: The foundation values partners working to transform campus cultures, institutional practices, and policy frameworks—not just individual programs. As stated in their materials, they seek to "catalyze systemic change, increase college degree completion, and close equity gaps."

California Focus on Underserved Learners: Priority is given to work that directly impacts California students who are low-income and historically underrepresented, with particular attention to adult learners with some college but no credential.

Transparency and Reciprocal Relationships: The 2020 Grantee Perception Report revealed that "grantees value their relationships with College Futures staff—they report high quality, frequent, and reciprocal interactions." The foundation seeks true partnerships with frequent communication.

Recent Grant Examples:

  • $275,000 to USC's Pullias Center, UCLA SEIS, and UC Davis to create a racial equity framework for California Community College Baccalaureate programs
  • $200,000 to the California College Data and Policy Project to improve take-up of CalFresh benefits by students
  • $750,000 through the Foundation for California Community Colleges to address college affordability and connect students to financial aid

Foundation's Own Learnings: Following their 2020 Grantee Perception Report, the foundation committed to increasing longer, unrestricted grants; streamlining reporting processes; and affirming that funding relationships support partners' strategic visions. This suggests they value flexible funding approaches and reduced administrative burden.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-only process means relationship building is essential - Organizations cannot submit unsolicited proposals, so becoming known in California higher education equity circles is critical
  • California focus with emphasis on equity - Nearly all funding goes to California-based work serving low-income and historically underrepresented students, particularly adult learners
  • Systems change over programs - The foundation invests in transforming policies, institutional practices, and statewide systems rather than individual service programs
  • Adult learners are a current priority - With 6 million Californians having some college but no credential, solutions for working adults juggling multiple responsibilities are particularly valued
  • Grantee relationships matter - The foundation values reciprocal, frequent interactions and sees grantees as true partners in systems change
  • Unrestricted and longer-term grants increasing - Following grantee feedback, the foundation is working to provide more flexible, stable support
  • Contact the foundation to introduce your work - While they don't accept proposals, they welcome learning about aligned work via info@collegefutures.org

References

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