The Foundation for Los Angeles Community Colleges Innovation in Education Workforce Advancement Generous DonorsMaking a Difference Student Achievement
Supporting Students. Shaping Systems. Strengthening LA.
Join us in building a brighter future for all Angelenos.
Community colleges are engines of economic mobility and opportunity. And the students that they serve are as diverse as Los Angeles - from high school students getting an early taste of college, to students preparing to transfer to a university, to adults seeking a new skillset that will provide a more vibrant future for themselves and their family.
Through innovative programs, strong partnerships, and the generosity of donors, funders and sponsors, the Foundation is proud to support the students and communities served by the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD). Help us to ensure that all Angelenos have access to affordable, high-quality postsecondary education and career training, regardless of their background.
Our Impact Areas
Open Access to Higher Education
Everyone deserves the opportunity to pursue their dreams. Community colleges offer a wide range of programs designed to meet the unique needs and interests of the diverse students and communities that they serve. The Foundation works to enable colleges to provide not only academic training but also support services—such as tutoring, expanded financial assistance, and career preparation—that help students navigate their college journeys and career pathways.
What the Numbers Say
20,000
Number of high school students who take LACCD college classes each year through dual enrollment.
+237%
Average increase of in-state tuition and fees at public colleges since 2007.
$1 Million
Thanks to generous donors, the Foundation provides more than $1 million in direct aid and support to students each year.
Strong Workforce Development
Los Angeles County must accelerate educational attainment and career training to meet the region’s needs and provide for a high quality of life for all its residents. The Foundation empowers individuals and invests in the vitality of our region through expanding access to workforce development and economic mobility.
What the Numbers Say
+33%
How much more an LACCD graduate with an associate’s degree earn compared to persons who only have a high school diploma.
35,000
Number of certificates and degrees awarded by LACCD each year including specialized training programs, associates degrees, and select bachelor’s degrees.
72%
Percentage of U.S. jobs that will require postsecondary education and/or training by 2031, increasing workforce inequity and skill gaps for those without that education level.
Addressing Students’ Basic Needs
With low tuition rates and public financial aid programs, community colleges in California are designed to be radically affordable. However, the cost of education goes well beyond tuition to include childcare, textbooks, transportation, tools, food, housing, and much more. With more than half of LACCD’s students living at or below the poverty line , many struggle to afford the cost of living and studying in Los Angeles. The Foundation works to address student basic needs through direct aid programs and expanded services.
What the Numbers Say
75%
Percentage of community college students working part-time or full-time jobs to support their education.
-$9,233
Average annual unmet need of CA community college students, even with financial aid.
62%
Percentage of LACCD students who reported experiencing some form of food insecurity due to lack of funds.
Scholarship Funds
Empowering our Students
Explore Scholarship Opportunities
Thanks to generous donors and sponsors, every year the Foundation for the Los Angeles Community Colleges provides more than $1 million in scholarship funds, grants, and other resources to help students start, continue, and complete their educations.
Students can explore open opportunities through the LACCD Scholarship Portal, linked below. Students will need to use their Single Sign On (SSO) to see a scholarship list that is specific to their college and/or area of study.
36 Communities and Cities
How over 200,000 students learn together
Spanning nearly 900 square miles of LA County, the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) is the largest community college district in the U.S. Collectively, LACCD’s nine colleges educate nearly twice as many Latinx and African-American students as the entire University of California system.
About the Foundation
Who We Are
Finding ways forward for LA County’s next generations
The Foundation for the Los Angeles Community Colleges (The Foundation) is the nonprofit and philanthropic partner to the largest community college district in the nation. The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) serves nearly 200,000 students across nine colleges each year, educating nearly twice as many Latinx and African American students as the entire University of California system.
We work to ensure every student, regardless of income, background, or life circumstance, has the real support they need to persist, complete, and thrive. That means addressing the full picture of student success: removing non-academic barriers like housing insecurity, childcare costs, and technology gaps; investing in college infrastructure that supports long-term change; and aligning philanthropic support with high-impact strategies that scale.
The Foundation manages philanthropic giving, multi-agency partnerships, and districtwide initiatives that leverage the scale of LACCD to drive educational access and economic mobility throughout Los Angeles. Every dollar we steward is managed with transparency, urgency, and efficiency, ensuring the greatest return for students and for Los Angeles.
