About the COD Foundation
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.
Your Impact
College of the Desert Foundation has gifted over $100 million to COD over the past 40 years to support Funds for Student Success classroom and faculty upgrades, and as of 2012, supported the EDGE program which helped institutionalize a free tuition component in 2017, plEDGE.
1,471 SCHOLARSHIPS
AWARDED
in the 2022/2023 Fiscal Year.
520 STUDENT EMERGENCY
GRANTS AWARDED
since 2020 Fund Inception.
$43.5M IN
ENDOWMENTS
held in perpetuity to support a variety of
scholarships and programs.
1,557 INDIVIDUAL GIFTS
AWARDED
in the 2022/2023 Fiscal Year,
Gifted from 498 donors including 206 new donor gifts.
83¢ SUPPORTS SCHOLARSHIPS
AND PROGRAMMING
of every dollar supports
Scholarships and Programming from 2022-2023.
$230K PURCHASED
GRADUATION REGALIA
for graduating seniors
from 2019-2023.
Over 40 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 Catherine Abbott, Executive Director at cabbott@collegeofthedesert.edu.
Philanthropy in Action
Derick Matthew Talay – Leading By Example
At the age of 15, Derick Matthew Talay and his mother immigrated from the Philippines with hopes of achieving the American dream and pursuing higher education. Derick’s enrollment at COD was a major turning point in his life. As an EDGE/plEDGE student, he received free tuition for two years [...]
Indio’s Child Development Center Nurtures Learning & Growth
In 2023, COD marked significant progress in its capital projects, aligning with the institution’s commitment to preparing students for the job markets of today and tomorrow. The culmination of these efforts is evident in the successful establishment of the 18,000 sf Indio Child Development Center (CDC), which commenced operations [...]
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 COD’s commitment to providing [...]
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 needs of the job market. A key focus [...]
Membership Privileges
– Why 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.
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.