With Thanks

By: Stacey Holderbach, Development & Administrative Manager, The Campaign for College Opportunity

“When deciding which college I would attend, I did it based on the school I could graduate from without accumulating too much debt. I didn’t want to financially burden my mother, so I told myself that if I didn’t receive the aid I needed, I would attend community college and transfer later on.” –Izeah Garcia, student, UC Santa Barbara

At the Campaign for College Opportunity, we are fortunate to work with so many resilient students determined to get a college education. But at the same time, we also bear witness to the numerous struggles students face in attaining a college degree. Over the years we have covered through different lenses, issues of college access, completion, accountability, and affordability that affect our students and we have played a key role in finding solutions to these problems.

We believe it is our duty to advocate for these students, and encourage our community to shoulder some of their burden as our own – because it is. It is important to show California students that they are not alone in this journey. We also recognize that the Campaign for College Opportunity is not alone. Our community of generous funders have answered our calls and that of our students agreeing that we must ensure an environment where all students, regardless of race or ethnicity or zip code can equitably access and graduate from college.

This Thanksgiving holiday we would like to recognize the important role our funders play in ensuring California’s students have a bright future. From supporting our student engagement work, to sponsoring our research, to investing in our regional coalition building with business and community leaders, our funders enable us to have meaningful impact on student success in California. Annaly Medrano, a student leader with whom we work, put it quite simply when she said, “These investments help students reach their full potential, most of which are not just going to college to get a degree and fill the status quo, they want to build society.”

So to our funders big and small, to the foundations, the corporations, and all the individuals that continue to invest in California’s students through support of our mission, we thank you. Your philanthropy and commitment inspires us every day, and with your support, we will continue working to ensure all California students have someone in their corner helping them succeed in their college journey.

Thank you!

Would you like to help more California students reach their college dreams? Donate now and help us advocate for their future: