For Immediate Release
The deadline for college-access nonprofit partners to apply is April 8
The San Diego Foundation announced today that it has $300,000 in grants available for local nonprofit college access and success organizations to support students’ basic needs, including food, housing, transportation, healthcare and education.
“Students shouldn’t have to worry about being able to afford their next meal,” said Michelle Jaramillo, Director of Education Initiatives for The San Diego Foundation. “Investing in the basic needs of college students is an investment in strong academic performance, degree attainment and a solid regional economy where we can all prosper.”
Research shows that college students cannot adequately focus on learning if they’re struggling with meeting their basic needs, which results in lower GPAs, continuation rates and graduation rates. To better support San Diego college students, the Basic Needs & College Success Grant Program hopes to support nonprofit programs that will:
College-access nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply for the Basic Needs & College Success Grant Program by 2 p.m., Friday, April 8. The Foundation anticipates funding seven to 10 nonprofit organizations at a range of $30,000 to $50,000 per grant.
California’s high cost of living, the COVID-19 pandemic and recent inflation have left college students increasingly experiencing food and housing insecurity, and depression and anxiety. According to a new report from the California Policy Lab at University of California Berkeley, about 230,000 California community college students and more than 30,000 UC undergraduate and graduate students receive food stamps and are enrolled in the CalFresh Program.
CalFresh enrollment was higher among UC and community college students identifying as Black compared to the overall student population, higher among community college students identifying as American Indian/Alaska Native and higher among UC undergraduate students identifying as Hispanic/Latino/Chicano. In addition, according to a report from the Office of the California State University system, more than 40% of students reported food insecurity, including nearly 70% of Black, first-generation students reporting food insecurity and 18% experiencing homelessness. More than 52,000 CSU students overall said they experienced homelessness.
On August 9, 2022, we awarded $838,704 in Opening the Outdoors grants to 24 nonprofit organizations that offer equitable access to outdoor spaces in San Diego County.
“San Diego Foundation is proud to once again support its partners committed to increasing community-driven efforts to enhance accessible outdoor space, encourage youth to learn more through hands-on education and create the next generation of environmental stewards in the San Diego region,” said Christiana DeBenedict, SDF Director of Environment Initiatives.
This year’s grantees will help address these inequities and enhance access to the outdoors throughout San Diego County.
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