Student Support Fund Application

$20 million has been placed into an endowment fund, $1 million has been allocated to the UndocuSuccess Fellowship, and the $5 million plus interest (approximately $5.5 million) has been allocated to the Student Support Fund, of which $2.7 million was awarded in 2025-26.

The Group is tasked with ensuring that the Student Support Fund gift from MacKenzie Scott is allocated in ways that directly supports students and creates a lasting impact.

The Group includes up to 8 faculty members, 8 classified staff, 8 managers, 8 students, the executive team, and two rotating Governing Board members. If you are interested in serving when a vacancy becomes available, please contact the ACADEMIC SENATE (for faculty), CLASSIFIED SENATE (for classified), or CCSG (for students) to request your name be considered for appointment.

Those serving for 2025-26 include: Troy Ament, Myra Andrade, Jessica Arreguin, Sophia Awad, Lisa Bailey, Lisa Bruchet, Matthew Caddell, Valeria Chavez-Ramirez, Jason Chevalier, Melissa Christian, Ethan Covarrubias, Heather Decauwer, Melissa Diaz, Liz Encarnacion, Donald Essex, Rhonda Frank, Yolanda Friday, Judy Garcia, Yuliana Garcia-Munoz, Phoebe Hong, Tamari Jenkins, Sonia Juarez, Norma Leon, Michael McClellan, Elaria Michael, Gloria Negrete-McLeod, RoseAnn Osmanian, Gary Ovitt, Albert Rodriguez, Alisha Rosas. Gabriel  San Diego, Juanda Scoggins, Henry Shannon, Bir Shoker, Alisha Serrano. Joshua Stapleton, Preethi Talwar, Isabel Trevino, Mark Vidal, Yvonne Vitt

The endowment advances equitable student access, retention, and success in perpetuity and serves as a lasting legacy that benefits students long-term.

The endowment and Student Support Fund will be invested following the college’s investment policies. During the first five years of the Student Support Fund (or until the Student Support Fund is spent), interest earnings will be reinvested.

After the investment period, the Governing Board will review the Advisory Group recommendations on future use.

The Advisory Group will create a 5-year plan to fund initiatives such as student scholarships, program development, training and placement programs, and emergency financial support. An application has been designed to apply for funding programs of innovative thinking and practices with a focus on best methods to support our students.

The application will open in August and close in October. Applications will be reviewed for recommendation to the Governing Board in October/November. The Governing Board will select those to be awarded in December. Notifications of award status will go out to project leads in January.

There are no set limits on how much funding one application can request; however, requests should be aligned with activities and outcomes that can be reasonably accomplished within a two‑year project window.

A project lead may submit only one application. However, departments may be involved in multiple applications, provided each has a different project lead.

Previously funded applicants may apply again in a subsequent funding cycle, provided their previously funded project is closed out and they continue to meet the program’s eligibility requirements.

The APPLICATION is available online. To assist you in completing the online application, an OUTLINE of the online application is also available.

Yes, a student can submit an application; however, a manager or faculty or classified employee must serve as the project advisor.

A project lead is not permitted to assign themselves a title or compensation, in order to avoid any conflict of interest. However, the project lead may recommend recognition, credit, or compensation for other participants involved in the project.

The project may not replace employee work time unless directed by the employee’s first-level manager. Employees may also be approved to work on the project on an overtime basis with approval from their Associate Superintendent.

A document defining supplies and equipment along with links to district standards is available.

A document listing current RESOURCES available to students is available.

Applicants should carefully review the board parameters and consider the following common pitfalls when developing their proposals:

• Serving as both the project lead and a compensated participant: Applicants cannot serve as the project lead and receive compensation from the funds awarded for the project. Consider identifying an alternate project lead, if you want to be considered for compensation when implementing the project.
• Proposing the creation of a new academic program: The Advisory Group cannot recommend funding for the creation of a new academic program or the development of curriculum.
• Proposing curriculum revisions for existing courses: The Advisory Group cannot recommend revising curriculum or developing alternate delivery of content for classes that are already being offered.
• Insufficient consideration of feasibility: Projects that involve partnerships or collaboration with other departments, programs, or external partners should demonstrate that they have consulted with the appropriate key stakeholders. Applicants engage key stakeholders early in the planning process and demonstrate that the proposed partnership has the capacity and framework necessary to support the project.

The Advisory Group will evaluate each application using a RUBRIC which is available online. Recommendations must be made through consensus of and only by members of the Advisory Group.

The Board reviews the Group’s recommendations, makes final decisions about the use of funds, and announces plans to the college community.

Award notifications will be emailed in December/January.

Funds will be available by end of February/early March.

Awardees will participate in an information session. At that time, information regarding budgets and work plans will be provided.

Yes, the project lead will submit an initial evaluation and a mid-term evaluation during project implementation. Upon completion of the project timeline, a final evaluation will be required.

Funding for MacKenzie Scott projects will not continue beyond the ending date approved by the Governing Board and projects should not assume that District funding will be allocated to continue beyond the initial funding period. If the Project Lead recommends ongoing unrestricted general funding, that request would need to be made through PSR. 

Further, if the Project Lead determines that it would take more than two years to adequately assess a project’s effectiveness and determine whether it should be institutionalized, it is recommended that the Project Lead apply for a second round of MacKenzie Scott funding. To be considered for a second round of MacKenzie Scott funding, projects would need to demonstrate strong outcomes and a clear record of success before consideration. Factors may include strong data demonstrating impact, measurable outcomes, demonstrated student benefit, effective use of funds, and evidence that the project can be sustained and integrated into the College’s ongoing operations. Continued funding would not be guaranteed and would be subject to the District’s budget priorities, available resources, and applicable budget approval processes.

For questions or assistance, the following individuals are available based on your needs: Ray Cuellar is available to support the development of the scope of work and initial budget planning. Heather Decauwer can assist with budget-related questions. For all other inquiries, or if you are unsure who to contact, Stephanie Moya is available to help and can direct your question to the appropriate resource as needed.