College of the Desert Foundation

CHANGING THE WORLD ONE STUDENT AT A TIME

The mission of the College of the Desert Foundation is to act as an advocate for the college and to secure financial support, enhancing the educational opportunities for all students. Over 38 years, the COD Foundation has raised more than $100 million to support student services and now manages endowments and other assets of more than $55 million. Endowment funds raised by the Foundation provide financial support for scholarships, textbooks, classroom technology upgrades, faculty positions, equipment and other programs. Yet even with the Foundation’s fundraising efforts, combined with the interest from the endowment providing this critical financial support, there still are unmet needs for thousands of students each year. A portion of all restricted donations will be used to further advance efforts on behalf of College of the Desert.

For information about College of the Desert and to learn how you can support student success, contact the COD Foundation at 760.773.2561 or email Matthew Durkan at mdurkan@collegeofthedesert.edu.

The College of the Desert Foundation is an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) corporation.

The mission of the College of the Desert Foundation is to act as advocates for the College and to secure financial support enhancing the educational opportunities for all students.

To positively impact the lives of students who are striving to achieve a purposeful education and to enhance the communities of the Coachella Valley and the region.

Accountability

Integrity

Service Excellence

Trust

About College of the Desert

College of the Desert is the largest institution of higher learning in the Coachella Valley, serving more than 400,000 residents of eight local cities.

The College was founded in 1958 and has steadily grown both in physical size and in the number of programs offered in the years since.  Now with five campuses and numerous satellite locations, the College focuses on student success by offering unparalleled academic instruction and career technical education tailored to the workforce needs of community partners.

Most college of the Desert alumni continue to live and work in the area, contributing more than $243 million a year in economic benefits each year based in large part on the skills they learned at College.

A majority of College of the Desert students qualify for financial aid, making the Foundation’s support critical to their success.  Donor support allows the College to offer the plEDGE and EDGE programs, which provide two years of free tuition to graduates of Coachella Valley high schools, preparation for college-level math and English, and ongoing support.


YOUR PHILANTHROPIC DOLLARS AT WORK

2019-2020

$1,300.000 | Scholarships given

$200,000 | Student Emergency Fund disbursements (COVID-19)

$80 Million | Provided to College of the Desert since 1983

Your support is a testament to our shared belief in the power of higher education to change the lives of our students, advance our workforce and economy, and provide for a brighter future.