Basic Needs & College Success Grant Program

Geographic Scope: San Diego region

Total Funding Available: $300,000

Focus Areas: College access and student basic needs support

Program Goals

The program seeks to support college-access nonprofit partners who are bridging the gap between students' basic needs and college success. Research shows that college students cannot adequately focus on learning if they're struggling with meeting their basic needs, which results in lower GPAs, continuation rates and graduation rates.

Eligible Activities

Nonprofit programs should:

• Increase student access to nutritious and sufficient food
• Connect students to safe, secure and adequate housing (to sleep, study, cook and shower)
• Promote sustained mental and physical well-being and social-emotional support
• Provide connections to affordable transportation assistance
• Supply resources for personal hygiene care
• Offer emergency funds
• Deliver access to affordable and reliable internet access as well as technology devices

Eligibility

• Applicants: College-access nonprofit organizations
• Geographic Focus: Local nonprofit college access and success organizations in San Diego

Award Information

• Expected Grant Range: $30,000 to $50,000 per grant
• Number of Grants: Foundation anticipates funding 7 to 10 nonprofit organizations

Context

California's high cost of living, the COVID-19 pandemic and recent inflation have left college students increasingly experiencing food and housing insecurity, depression and anxiety. According to reports:

• About 230,000 California community college students and more than 30,000 UC undergraduate and graduate students receive food stamps and are enrolled in CalFresh
• More than 40% of CSU students reported food insecurity
• Nearly 70% of Black, first-generation students reporting food insecurity
• 18% of CSU students experiencing homelessness
• More than 52,000 CSU students overall said they experienced homelessness