College Futures Foundation
College Futures Foundation is a private foundation based in Oakland, California. Its mission is to increase postsecondary completion for underserved learners, with a focus on advancing equity and economic mobility in California.
College Futures Foundation at a glance
In short: College Futures Foundation gave $16.7M across 181 grants in 2024 (avg $92K), mostly in California. 32% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $16,683,989
- +4.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 181
- -2.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $92,177
- +6.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $561,628,794
- +4.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 32% first-time grantees (43 of 134, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (79% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to College Futures Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Review Cycle
- The filing lists board-grant deadlines of January 24, 2023, April 25, 2023, July 25, 2023, and October 10, 2022, and says delegated grants roll throughout the year. These listed board dates have passed. Separately, a multi-funder Innovative Postsecondary Models opportunity that includes College Futures Foundation states that applications are open through September 14, 2026; the fund is managed by Panorama Global and offers grants of $750,000 to $1,000,000.
- Deadline
- The filing lists board-grant deadlines of January 24, 2023, April 25, 2023, July 25, 2023, and October 10, 2022, and…
- Contact
Application contact: Grants Manager
Mailing address: 1999 Harrison Street Suite 1900, Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (415) 287-1800
Email: support@collegefutures.org
Website: https://collegefutures.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who College Futures Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Foundation for California Community Colleges ($1.8M across 10 grants). Together the top 10 received $6.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
940 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 531 grants of 940 (56%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
California received 79% of the foundation’s 2024 grant dollars. Other recipient-state shares were the District of Columbia, 7%; Maryland, 5%; New York, 4%; and Massachusetts, 3%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 181 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is College Futures Foundation open to new grantees?
32%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 43 of 134 grantees (32%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $73K; repeat grants $149K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $79K repeat.
- 56% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−17%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 94% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $16.0M (2023) to $21.1M (2022). In 2024 it made 181 grants totaling $16.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The RP Group Inc San Rafael, CA | Program Grant | $600,000 |
| Foundation for California Community Colleges Sacramento, CA | Program Grant | $550,000 |
| Calmatters Sacramento, CA | Program Grant | $500,000 |
| American Association of Community Colleges Washington, DC | Program Grant | $500,000 |
| California State University Fresno Foundation Fresno, CA | Program Grant | $500,000 |
| Foundation for California Community Colleges Sacramento, CA | Program Grant | $469,000 |
| Sova Solutions Rockvillle, MD | Program Grant | $407,000 |
| Accrediting Commission for Community & Junior Colleges Sacramento, CA | Program Grant | $400,000 |
| Public Agenda Brooklyn, NY | Program Grant | $365,000 |
| Jobs for the Future Boston, MA | Program Grant | $350,000 |
Ready to take the next step with College Futures Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The foundation files Form 990-PF.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $561,628,794 | $46,329,971 | $38,109,372 | $16,683,989 | 181 | $24,576,128 | $35,734,625 | $26,212,855 |
| 2023 | $536,160,774 | $35,356,300 | $40,940,966 | $16,019,913 | 185 | $24,358,952 | $21,687,297 | $24,905,904 |
| 2022 | $506,025,747 | $-3,753,028 | $29,852,744 | $21,135,893 | 204 | $29,573,015 | $785,237 | $26,028,253 |
| 2021 | $607,414,225 | $89,017,526 | $29,285,819 | $20,001,617 | 180 | $27,580,985 | $78,188,792 | $26,711,968 |
| 2020 | $555,943,268 | $18,920,371 | $41,558,863 | $16,493,461 | 190 | — | $4,425,463 | $23,884,453 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, College Futures Foundation reported a distributable amount of $26.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to increase postsecondary completion for learners who are underserved. It envisions a California where postsecondary education advances racial, social, and economic equity and unlocks upward mobility.
Its current initiatives include Golden Opportunities, which aims to redefine how postsecondary value is understood, measured, and communicated, and Unlocking Economic Mobility for Adult Learners, which supports more responsive, flexible, and inclusive postsecondary options for adult learners. Its stated charitable activities also include supporting research and partnerships on economic mobility, elevating innovative policies and practices, and backing policy research, advocacy, and community-based advocacy organizations.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of its grantmaking. The RP Group describes its work as equity-minded research, planning, and professional development to support equitable outcomes for marginalized students. CalMatters describes its mission as informing Californians about issues affecting their lives through journalism. Campaign for College Opportunity says it works to ensure the next generation of Californians has a chance to go to college and succeed. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own work.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation made 181 grants totaling $16,683,989. Grants ranged from $50 to $600,000, with a median grant of $20,000. Notable awards included $600,000 to The RP Group; $550,000 and $469,000 to the Foundation for California Community Colleges; $500,000 each to CalMatters, the American Association of Community Colleges, and California State University Fresno Foundation; and $400,000 to the Accrediting Commission for Community & Junior Colleges.
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Applications are invitation-only and must be submitted through its online grant portal. Required materials include organization information, requested amount, proposal narrative and budget, organizational budget, most recent IRS Form 990 and audited financial statement, board list, and a list of grants received over the prior year. The foundation does not award grants for scholarships or to individuals. It accepts applications from tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofits or fiscal sponsors, California state public agencies or government entities, and mission-aligned for-profit organizations subject to expenditure responsibility.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists the following board members: Arnoldo Avalos, Martha Escutia, Kailesh Karavadra, Lenny Mendonca, Linda Oubre, Willa Seldon, Ashley Swearengin, Richard Whitmore, and Timothy Yamauchi. Donna Lucas is listed as a board member and chair through December 2024; Ashley Swearengin is listed as vice chair.
College Futures Foundation is led by Ortiz-Oakley Eloy, President, CEO & Board Member Ex-Officio since 2023 (on filings since 2022); 12 of 13 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Ortiz-Oakley Eloy
President, CEO & Board Member Ex-Officio
Board Member, President, CEO & Board Member Ex-Officio → President, CEO & Board Member Ex-Officio, 2023
On filings since 2022
37.5 hrs/week
$193K (2022) → $562K (2024)
Lucas Donna
Board Member & Chair
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
$30K (2022) → $30K (2024)
Avalos Arnoldo
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1.5 hrs/week
$16K (2022) → $16K (2024)
Escutia Martha
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1.5 hrs/week
$16K (2022) → $16K (2024)
Mendonca Lenny
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1.5 hrs/week
$16K (2022) → $16K (2024)
Oubre Linda
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1.5 hrs/week
$16K (2022) → $16K (2024)
Seldon Willa
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1.5 hrs/week
$16K (2022) → $16K (2024)
Swearengin Ashley
Board Member & Vice Chair
Vice Chair → Board Member & Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
1.5 hrs/week
$16K (2022) → $16K (2024)
Wallace Phillippe
CFO & COO
CFO & Secretary → COO & Secretary, 2023
COO & Secretary → CFO & COO, 2024
On filings since 2022
37.5 hrs/week
$398K (2022) → $459K (2024)
Whitmore Richard
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1.5 hrs/week
$16K (2022) → $16K (2024)
Yee Betty
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1.5 hrs/week
$12K (2023) → $4K (2024)
Yamauchi Timothy
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1.5 hrs/week
$16K (2024)
Karavadra Kailesh
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (18)
- Former: Taylor Peter (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Davis-Taylor Linda (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Lozano Monica (2022) — President, CEO & Board Member Ex-Officio
- Former: Milligan Gretchen (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Ashley Swearengin (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Donna Lucas (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Eloy O. Oakley (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Gretchen H. Milligan (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Lenny Mendonca (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Linda Davis Taylor (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Linda Oubre (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Monica Lozano (2020–2021) — President, CEO & Board Member Ex-Officio
- Former: Peter Taylor (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Phillippe Wallace (2020–2021) — CFO & Treasurer
- Former: Richard Whitmore (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Russell Gould (2020–2021) — Board Member & Chair
- Former: Toby Rosenblatt (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Willa Seldon (2020–2021) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $562K, to Ortiz-Oakley Eloy (President/CEO, Board Member Ex-Officio). 12 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about College Futures Foundation
How much does College Futures Foundation give each year?
College Futures Foundation gave $16.7M across 181 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $16.0M across 185 grants.
What is College Futures Foundation's typical grant size?
College Futures Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $92,177, across 181 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from College Futures Foundation that year got $73K on average.
Where does College Futures Foundation give grants?
College Futures Foundation gives mostly in California: 79% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were District of Columbia (7%) and Maryland (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Sacramento, CA (26 grants), Los Angeles, CA (19 grants), Oakland, CA (18 grants) and San Francisco, CA (16 grants).
Does College Futures Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 181 grants with a stated purpose on College Futures Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Grant" (77 grants), "Employee Matching Gifts" (40 grants) and "Director Donations" (36 grants).
Who are College Futures Foundation's largest grantees?
College Futures Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Foundation for California Community Colleges ($1,757,000 across 10 grants), Sova Solutions ($857,000 across 3 grants) and The RP Group Inc ($850,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 21% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is College Futures Foundation?
College Futures Foundation reported $561.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $24.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $26.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does College Futures Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to increase postsecondary completion for learners who are underserved. It envisions a California where postsecondary education advances racial, social, and economic equity and unlocks upward mobility. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from College Futures Foundation?
College Futures Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, according to Grantable's research on its published guidelines. Check collegefutures.org for any change to that policy.
What is College Futures Foundation's EIN?
College Futures Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-2618667. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does College Futures Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work College Futures Foundation funds
Public, Societal Benefit Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in College Futures Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). College Futures Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/college-futures-foundation-morg_5137745c9893484ea7cf6d08bffc8408
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_942618667_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{College Futures Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/college-futures-foundation-morg_5137745c9893484ea7cf6d08bffc8408},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from College Futures Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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