Founded in 1966, the San Mateo County Community Colleges Foundation raises funds for scholarships as well as educational programs at Cañada College in Redwood City, College of San Mateo and Skyline College in San Bruno. Last year the Foundation awarded scholarships to 471 students for fall 2006. $1,564,416 was granted in 2005-06 to support college programs and services, the highest number in the 40-year history of the Foundation.

The mission of the Foundation is to promote student success and nourish program innovation and excellence by providing special financial support for the District's colleges. The task of the Foundation has become even more critical as funding for public education continues to be cut by the State of California. Scholarships are especially needed to help defray the rapidly rising cost of tuition, fees and books.

Over the years generous donors have made possible many scholarships, child care for student-parents, special programs for disadvantaged high school students seeking help to succeed in college, and a variety of programs and services for students and community members. Donors support these needs through gifts of cash, securities, vehicle donations, non-cash items, real estate, life insurance and gift annuities.

The Board of Directors of the Foundation is made up of 24 community leaders who lead the advancement effort and are committed to building long term relationships between the colleges and community residents, alumni and local business and industry. The San Mateo County Community Colleges Foundation is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

The staff and Board of Directors strive to keep fund raising costs low and to communicate with our donors with prompt thank you letters and biannual newsletters. Meetings are open to the public and are held on the third Tuesday of each odd-numbered month, usually at 3401 CSM Drive in San Mateo.

We invite your participation in supporting San Mateo County's valuable community resources: Cañada College, College of San Mateo, and Skyline College. For additional information, please call Georgi LaBerge, Executive Director. You can reach her by phone at (650) 574-6229, fax at (650) 574-6566 or send an e-mail to laberge@smccd.net