Your Support Opens Doors
Our Mission
Whether you are a parent, student, alumni, faculty member, business partner, philanthropist or investor, foundation or organization, part- or full-time resident, or just a fan of College of the Desert, when you step up for College of the Desert with a membership or donation you make a significant difference in higher education, career advancement and lifelong learning.
The Foundation allocated more than $1.5 million to College of the Desert last year. We depend on the private and public sectors to help underwrite underfunded programs, services and facilities that cannot be financed through other means.
In addition to assisting the College of the Desert fulfill its commitment to student success, the Foundation offers opportunities for donors fulfill their philanthropic goals.
Ways To Give
Whether you are a parent, student, alumni, faculty member, business partner, philanthropist or investor, foundation or organization, part- or full-time resident, or just a fan of College of the Desert, when you step up for College of the Desert with a membership or donation you make a significant difference in higher education, career advancement and lifelong learning.
President's Circle
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President's Business Circle
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Scholarships
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EDGE/plEDGE
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ACADEMIC ANGELS
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PLANNED GIVING
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Your Impact
College of the Desert Foundation has raised over $125 million over the past 40 years to support student success via program and scholarship support. In 2012, the Foundation supported the innovative EDGE program which helped institutionalize plEDGE, a program which provides free tuition and wrap around services for students attending College of the Desert.
SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TOTALING $898,812
in the 2023/2024 Fiscal Year.
STUDENT EMERGENCY GRANTS AWARDED
since 2020 Fund Inception.
MILLION IN ENDOWMENTS
held in perpetuity to support a variety of scholarships and programs.
(Incl. Payroll Gifts) INDIVIDUAL GIFTS RECEIVED
in the 2023/2024 Fiscal Year, Gifted from 498 donors including 206 new donor gifts.
SUPPORTS SCHOLARSHIPS AND PROGRAMMING
of every dollar supports Scholarships and Programming from 2023-2024.
PURCHASED GRADUATION REGALIA
for graduating seniors from 2019-2024.
News & Events
Roadrunner Motors is Accelerating Student Success
Construction of College of the Desert’s new Roadrunner Motors is on track to begin in the summer of 2024, with the first classes scheduled to start in early 2026, marking a new era for the Roadrunner Automotive program. The cutting-edge facility is a testament to...
Breaking New Ground: COD’s Palm Springs Campus Revolutionizes Education & Hospitality
The long-awaited groundbreaking for COD’s Palm Springs Campus is set to take place in 2024, marking the end of nearly two decades of anticipation. This milestone is accompanied by a visionary plan aimed at revolutionizing education and meeting the increasingly complex...
COD’s Innovative Approach to Nursing Education
The Coachella Valley is renowned for its impressive healthcare facilities. However, with recent healthcare shortages, community leaders have joined forces to support the future scope of healthcare professionals. Over the past 56 years, COD has been a key player,...
Christina Taboada Rediscovering One’s Purpose at COD
Christina Taboada’s return to COD for the third time became a pivotal chapter in her life, bringing newfound purpose. She first attended COD to get her associate degree in Business Administration, then transferred to California State University, San Bernardino to earn...
NASA’s M-Star Grants COD $900,000 for Mars Exploration Research
Collaborative Partner Exquadrum Furthers Learning and Resource Opportunities The future of space exploration continues to reach astronomical new heights at College of the Desert with the recent announcement of a landmark $900,000 grant from NASA. The M-Star Grant...
Grecia Paola Siono Gutierrez From COD to Blue Origin
Over the past two years, an extraordinary journey has been unfolding for Grecia Paola Siono Gutierrez. She relentlessly pursued her dream of going to school in the U.S. to study engineering with her sights set on eventually working for NASA. These goals were achieved...
Heeding the Call for Care: COD’s New Paramedics Training Initiative Poised to Save Lives
A vital need for paramedics across the state of California has affected the treatment that patients receive when they suddenly find themselves thrust into the most dire of situations. With the workforce suffering from a serious shortage of qualified medic leaders,...
COD Foundation’s Great Alumni Hunt Awards $15,000 in Scholarships
When the COD Foundation announced The Great Alumni Hunt last fall, 20 students competed to win valuable scholarships. Neither these students nor the Foundation expected the passionate sponsors, who believe in COD’s contributions to the community, to step up and award...
Empowering Students to Thrive
When we fund College of the Desert students’ basic needs, we empower them to overcome obstacles and pursue their dreams. By investing in their education and well-being, we are not only transforming individual lives but also enriching our communities and creating a...
Hurricane: Support COD Foundation’s Student Emergency Fund
Support COD Foundation's Student Emergency Fund in Response to Hurricane Hilary's Impact on the Valley The Coachella Valley has just experienced an unprecedented storm! With the most significant rainfall over a 60-minute period in the history of the Valley, our...