How Los Rios Colleges Foundation Empowers Student Success

Paula Allison: [00:00:00] So last year we had a little over 600, I think it was like 650, 000 just basically about the same number of students, but we had thousands of applicants. And so man, if we just had more dollars to support students for two reasons, one, because they need it and it helps them stay in school and achieve, but also they always say the best part about the scholarship is that somebody believed in them.

And that to me is priceless.

Jeff Holden: I'm Jeff Holden. Welcome to the Nonprofit Podcast Network. Our purpose and passion is to highlight a nonprofit organization in each weekly episode, giving that organization an opportunity to tell their story in their words, to better inform and educate the respective communities they serve, as well as [00:01:00] provide one more tool for them to share their message to constituents and donors.

Our goal is to help build stronger communities through shared voices and to both encourage and support the growth of local non profit organizations through podcasting. Thanks to our founding partners for their foresight in helping us transform the way conversations start. CAP Trust, Fiduciary Advice for Endowments and Foundations, Runyon Saltzman Incorporated, RSE, Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations Creating Integrated Communications Committed to Improving Lives, and Western Health Advantage, a full service health care plan for individuals, employer groups, and families.

When students explore their options for higher education, The process can often feel overwhelming. Sound familiar? The decision of where to study, whether at a trade school, community college, or university, frequently comes down to cost. And for many academically capable students, additional [00:02:00] challenges such as language barriers, transportation, child care, and housing can complicate the path to success.

Fortunately, community colleges often serve as the perfect solution, like Goldilocks, finding what's just right. Yet many people don't realize that a robust support system exists to help students overcome these obstacles and successfully move on to the next chapter of their lives. As you'll hear in this episode, some of these challenges are really hard to imagine.

Joining me today is Paula Allison, Chief Advancement Officer of the Los Rios Community College District and President of the Los Rios Colleges Foundation. We'll explore how the foundation plays a vital role in supporting students within California's second largest community college district, which includes American River College, Consumers River College, Folsom Lake College and Sacramento City College.

Since joining Los Rios in 2016, Paula has witnessed significant growth and transformation, not only within the system itself, [00:03:00] but also in the evolving needs and demographics of its student body. Paula Allison, welcome to the Nonprofit Podcast Network. 

Paula Allison: Thank you, Jeff. I am thrilled to be here. This is such a great opportunity to spend time with you today.

Jeff Holden: Oh, and, and we're so excited to hear what's going on in our collegiate system for so many people who don't know. Really, what we're talking about until you explain it to them in a few minutes. Can't wait. Okay, so two things. We have to address this right up front. What is the Los Rios College system? Who is making up that community group of colleges?

Paula Allison: Yeah, great question because Los Rios doesn't really exactly say the name of the colleges, does it? When I started working here. People ask me if I worked for a river or an environmental organization. 

Jeff Holden: Oh my gosh. I can see that. Yeah, exactly. It's 

Paula Allison: not descriptive. So Los Rios is the name of the district, the community college district.

That is the umbrella for four community colleges in our region. And that is American River College, Consumnist River [00:04:00] College. Folsom Lake College and our oldest Sacramento City College. So in addition to the four campuses, we also have six centers. And so we serve a really large region over 2, 300 square miles in our service area.

Yeah, it's pretty big. So we actually go as far, let's see, as far East as Placerville and as far West as UC Davis. We're the only community college that has a campus on a UC. So that's pretty cool. 

Jeff Holden: And is that one of those? Additional six that you mentioned. That's one of those 

Paula Allison: centers. We call them. Tell us a little 

Jeff Holden: bit about that.

Because I'm not sure I know really what that looks like. Sure. 

Paula Allison: So a center really extends education deeper into the communities that we serve. We know that we want to be as convenient as possible. And so if we can go to the community, have classes for locals, there's a better chance that they'll come. So that was sort of the idea behind centers.

And so we also have some, we have one in Elk Grove. McGrove. We have one [00:05:00] in Natomas. And so we're really just spreading our footprint in a larger way. 

Jeff Holden: And you said it's on the UCD campus? It is. Yes. So the community college student is actually getting exposure to the four year university. 

Paula Allison: Yes. 

Jeff Holden: In tandem with their education.

Paula Allison: Absolutely. And so it's a really great opportunity, as you say, to expose them. If their goal is transfer, then how wonderful it is to actually get to be on that four year campus. And then we have some really great partnerships between our faculty at our center and the UC faculty. I'm like, there's a really cool program right now.

They're building on fermentation science. So that's pretty fun. You get to go learn how to brew beer and make. 

Jeff Holden: Yeah, 

Paula Allison: but I'll but learn science while doing those things. 

Jeff Holden: That's so neat. So now we've got the understanding of the colleges and what their names are and how they are attached to Los Rios. Yes.

Can you tell [00:06:00] us a little bit more about the community college itself? 

Paula Allison: Yes. You know, 

Jeff Holden: what is the distinction? Sure. Because we know we've got the universities in Sac State and UC Davis, but the distinction between the community colleges As a either a feeder and or a sole source and they go on to employment after that.

Paula Allison: Yes. Yes. I mean, when people ask me to describe who we are and what we do, I like to say we are the Statue of Liberty of higher ed. Because Bring us your Yes, because that is who we serve and we are an open access institution. Anybody that wants to take a class can come take a class at a community college.

And we educate over two thirds of Californians. The California community college system is actually the largest system of higher ed across the country. So we educate a lot of people and that might be somebody who's wanting to, as we talked about earlier, transfer to a four year, [00:07:00] maybe save some money along the way, figure out what they want to do.

I mean, small class sizes with a lot of support. But another really important element of what we do is train the workforce. And that's why I think we're so critical to our region. We are able to be nimble and listen to what the needs are of our region and then make sure we have a certificate program so that if folks want to come and up skill, get a certificate in a year and leave with a high paying job.

And I think when I think about our mission, our mission is really just to really improve social and economic mobility. Again, whether you're going to join the workforce right away or you're going to transition to that four year and get your four year degree. 

Jeff Holden: We were talking earlier as we were prepping for the conversation and something that just blew me away, the system is 62, 000 students, 62, 000 students, that's almost double the size of Sac State.

Paula Allison: Oh, it is. Yes. 

Jeff Holden: It's a [00:08:00] massive number of people you're working to educate. And the perception I think so often is that we think of a college student, you know, college student is an 18 to 23, four or five year old student, but at the community college and even to some degree, I'm sure at the university level, that's not necessarily the case.

I mean, you could have students who are in their sixties, 30, 40, 50, all the way up to. And students may be single parents, students may be family members, meaning the parents of children. Tell me a little bit more about that. What is that complexion of the? look like today? 

Paula Allison: Yeah. Great question. And it's changing as it is even for our four year counterparts, but a couple of really exciting things I think that have happened.

So to your point, we, in that 18 to 24 year [00:09:00] old range, that's about 51 percent of our students. So again, about half are not. Traditional age, right? One area that has really grown in the pandemic and to now is actually are under 18 population, and that's at 6%. And that is because we've had a very distinct focus on dual enrollment.

And dual enrollment is enrolling students who are in high school so that they can start to get exposed to college and start to earn college credits. So you and I, we're probably familiar with advanced placement. That used to be what everyone did. 

Jeff Holden: Taking AP classes, mom. 

Paula Allison: Exactly. Let's boost that GPA. Let's, let's earn some credit.

Well, the problem with AP is that it costs money. And that is a barrier. And so we wanted to make sure everybody who wanted to earn college credit had that opportunity. So there's really been a movement even across the state and country because we also know that not only are we removing that financial barrier [00:10:00] for students, but we're exposing them to what they can do.

So if they have success as a freshman or a sophomore in a college class. All of a sudden they see themselves as college going material. And we've seen that. And we've also seen that their success rates are actually higher than our native students, our older students. So we've grown even see last fall. I think we've grown over 30%.

We've got 130 something percent, even in the pandemic. This is 

Jeff Holden: in the under 18 and 

Paula Allison: the under 18. So we're serving over 5, 000 students this fall in high school. Basically, 

Jeff Holden: and just the confidence they would have coming into the system with experience. Yes, 

Paula Allison: absolutely. Absolutely. And I mean, some of the ones that are gung ho and we are certainly working, we actually have a couple of middle college models, but that is that we really would love it.

If those students came out with their AA degree, wouldn't that be something? And then they can just transfer right to a four year when they get out 

Jeff Holden: and 

Paula Allison: think of the money they would save for their [00:11:00] families. That's where I was just going to go. And 

Jeff Holden: that's a perfect segue to. Money. 

Paula Allison: Yes. 

Jeff Holden: And the purpose of the foundation.

So we think about the school, we know there's tuition, we know there's, there's, there's costs, there's books and, and in some cases even a residency, depending on where you are and how you're doing it, it can get expensive. 

Paula Allison: Yes. 

Jeff Holden: And depending on the individual, you have somebody 50, 60 years old who's just looking to re enter the workforce for some reason because the job disappeared or whatever it may be and they need a new skill set.

Paula Allison: Yes. 

Jeff Holden: What does the foundation do? Why does the foundation exist? Yeah. Because, again, we think, oh, I give to my grammar school. 

Paula Allison: Right. You 

Jeff Holden: know, it's a private school, so we contribute. Maybe to the high school. Private school, we contribute. But when we get into the state system of colleges, you tend to that's taken care of, hence the foundation, 

Paula Allison: right?

Exactly. So, 

Jeff Holden: so [00:12:00] walk us through that. What is the purpose? Why does it exist? What does it do? 

Paula Allison: Sure. So our purpose is we have one purpose only, and that is to raise money for students in colleges. So we are the. 501c3 philanthropic arm for all of the four colleges as well as the Harris Center for the Arts.

So day in and day out, our goal is to raise funds. As well as the Harris 

Jeff Holden: Center for the Arts. 

Paula Allison: Yes, and I can't wait to share with you a little bit more about that. But the why is I don't think folks realize the need that our students have, and it goes back to the population of who we serve. Um, so, it's sort of crazy.

I always think of it as an upside down pyramid. But, to your point, tuition is definitely cheaper, tuition and fees, for community college students. In fact, for many of them, it's covered, thanks to the California Promise Grant that the state has in place for low income, first time, full time students. But, that's not true.

The whole cost. So when [00:13:00] you look at the cost of transportation and books and supplies and housing, there was just a report done by the Institute for College Access and Success, TCAS. And they looked at our region in particular, so compared a Los Rios campus with Sac State and UC Davis. And the problem in the community college world is our students are eligible for the least amount of financial aid.

It's kind of crazy. So. Our students receive the least amount. So that means their net is higher. So the differences are pretty significant. So for Los Rios, when you look at what the net costs are for one of our students, it's 20, 500. And that is 4, 600 in financial aid. For a Sac State student, it's 17, 100.

And that is 4, 600. 14, 000 in financial aid and for a UC student, it's only 12, 000 net cost with 28, 000 in financial aid. So [00:14:00] it doesn't make a lot of sense logically. It feels backwards. So the 

Jeff Holden: most. Sophisticated university, medical university, let's say UC Davis, has the most support 

Paula Allison: for 

Jeff Holden: the student.

Whereas the student who probably needs the most support at the community college, which is why they're going to the community college in the first place, gets the least. 

Paula Allison: Exactly. And you know, we always bemoan, well, why do our students work so much? They really need to focus. focus. They need to get through here in two years 

Jeff Holden: because they have to.

Paula Allison: They have to. When you look at the statistics, the average community college student working over 36 hours a week, 47 percent of our students versus a SAC state or UC student. It's 22%. That 

Jeff Holden: was my next question. I was just going to say, I hope you have that stat. I do. 

Paula Allison: Yeah. So from 

Jeff Holden: virtually half, half of the students are working to support themselves.

Whereas in the four year universities locally. A quarter. 

Paula Allison: Right. And when you also look at our student profile, about 47 percent are low income, a quarter are [00:15:00] below the poverty line, 27 percent are the first in their family to go to college, so many of them are taking care of siblings or parents or to your point earlier, their own children.

So it is a sacrifice to come and get a job. And so we want to do whatever we can to support them, to get them through and to achieve their dreams, whether that be, again, to go to the workforce right away or to transfer. So we exist to raise money to support them. And I can share with you some of the ways we do that.

Jeff Holden: You can keep going. Just keep going Paula because you are on track and spot on. That was the next question. What does that look like? 

Paula Allison: Yes, so for us, I mean our bread and butter is still scholarships. We know that 500 or 1, 000 scholarship It just means the world of difference to a, to a student and it removes some barriers so they can pay for that rent or they can buy their books and be prepared.

So that [00:16:00] is a big focus of ours is just to raise money for scholarships. We also have some focus areas where we know there's certain populations of students that could use some extra assistance. So, for example, our athletes, our student athletes. It used to be that our athletics programs were, well, still is.

Our athletics programs are funded on bookstore revenues. Well, you can imagine how well our bookstore revenues are doing. So they just continue to dwindle. So we're continuing to find new ways. to support those students because they have to travel to conferences and, or games, and they need money to eat.

And we need to raise money for their uniforms and all those things. So, so that's an active group that we support. We also know student athletes do really well. Compared to the general population, because there's a lot of support services for them. So we want to continue to invest. And it also, a lot of times our athletes are most disproportionately impacted students.

So we want to continue to help them to succeed. [00:17:00] Another area of emphasis for us has been basic needs. And when I started eight years ago, it really wasn't as significant. 

Jeff Holden: That's a key, key statement right there. Only eight years ago, it wasn't as significant. And I hear this from everywhere, whether we're talking to the food banks, whether we're talking to the support systems or legal, the basic needs at this point.

It's just overwhelming. It 

Paula Allison: is. It really is. And 

Jeff Holden: you've seen that in just your eight years. I 

Paula Allison: have. And you know, in the beginning you would hear, Oh, well, we're, we're about education. We're not a social service institution or blah, blah, blah. 

Jeff Holden: Right. 

Paula Allison: Everyone is embraced that, you know what, if you are hungry or you don't have a place to lay your head at night, How are you supposed to study and do well in school?

And it just takes all of us together to help our students. So I've been really proud of our district at every single one of our campuses through the pandemic. We created what is called a Basic Needs Center. So it's a one stop shop for [00:18:00] a student to go to the food pantry, to visit the clothing closet, to get an outfit so they can go interview.

We created an emergency hotel voucher program in the pandemic. So if you Really just needed a place to stay for a week or so until you get your everything together. Maybe you're just saving money for a rental deposit. You have a safe place to go. And then of course that's where our Student Emergency Fund comes in for students facing a critical need.

So so much. We also don't want students to feel embarrassed about their situation. So we've made these centers really lovely places to visit so they're not ashamed and we can show them how to sign up for CalFresh and all kinds of resources that we connect them to through these centers. So that's definitely been a big focus of the foundation.

Jeff Holden: We'll be right back to learn more about the value of our community college foundations after a few words about the wonderful businesses that make this program possible. I was in the media business for over 35 years and had the great privilege of working with Runyon Saltzman, RSE, [00:19:00] Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations.

We collaborated on many different campaigns, but their commitment to the nonprofit sector hasn't changed since their founder Gene Runyon started the agency. Over many years and many campaigns, Runyon Saltzman has been committed to improving lives by tackling California's most challenging issues. Guided by research informed strategies and insightful, creative solutions, RSE develops innovative communications campaigns that raise awareness, Educate and reduce stigma in diverse communities throughout our state and beyond.

To learn more about RSE, visit rs e. com. 

Scott Thomas: Hello, this is Scott Thomas with CAP Trust in our Sacramento office. I specialize in working with local nonprofits and associations. Annually, we survey private and public nonprofit organizations across the country to better understand challenges they see in today's environment.

In our more recent survey, we heard concerns about proper board governance, mission aligned investment, [00:20:00] and how to implement alternative investments. If you would like a copy of the survey or to discuss your organization, look me up, scottthomasatcaptrust. com. 

Jeff Holden: I'm thrilled to have Western Health Advantage partnering with us as they do so much to support so many non profit agencies in our community.

As a truly local health plan, you'll find individual and family options, employer options, plans for CalPERS and Medicare Advantage. From medical services to pharmacy, health and wellness support, as well as behavioral health care, Western Health Advantage has a plan that fits what you need. As an employer, for profit or non profit business, individual or family.

You can find more at WesternHealth. com. As we go through the progression of services that are offered, you also have some other programs, the Dream Center and DACA. What does, what does that look like from the foundation's perspective to the student perspective? 

Paula Allison: Absolutely. I mean, that is such a timely.

question. [00:21:00] 

Jeff Holden: Well, yes, today 

Paula Allison: it is. It is today. And I mentioned earlier that we have the basic needs centers. Every campus also has some call it their undocumented resource center. Some call it the dream center, but essentially it's a place for students who are immigrants or undocumented or under documented to come and feel safe.

And to feel like they have people that understand their situation and again, to be connected to resources. So in the last month, the foundation, thanks to undesignated dollars, we really appreciate those because when needs arise, like the one I'm going to describe to you, we are so thankful we're able to meet the moment.

Jeff Holden: By undesignated, those are like unrestricted. Yes. Unrestricted funds. Exactly. 

Paula Allison: So we have, we call it the. Los Rios Colleges Foundation Fund, American River College Fund, CRC Fund, FLC Fund, SCC Fund. So it just allows us flexibility to serve wherever the greatest need is. So in this case, [00:22:00] given the uncertainty that that population is experiencing and really some fear, we have created what we're calling Dream Center Funds.

And it's an opportunity for the staff at those locations just to work with the students and understand their needs. It might be docker renewal. It might be legal fees. It might be they need a laptop, whatever it is. But we've now established these four Dream Center funds on each campus. And it's just a wonderful way, again, to be able to meet the moment and to meet a really significant need right now.

Jeff Holden: And with the influx of Immigrants into the community. Yes. From so many different areas. 

Paula Allison: Yes. And we have a wonderful another thing that we do is grants in my shop. And we just found out that we received a little over 900, 000 for the next three years for 900, 000. Just a little 900, 000. And that's for the district.

But yes, and I will support. We have a wonderful program. [00:23:00] called Refugee Career Pathways, and this, this grant in particular will be helping our Ukrainian students just be connected to do some ESL training, learn, be connected to, to jobs. Yeah, it's just, it's an incredible opportunity. 

Jeff Holden: Yeah, that's, I'm, I'm 

Paula Allison: thinking, 

Jeff Holden: I have people sit in that chair.

Paula Allison: Yes. 

Jeff Holden: If, if they heard 900, that's, that's three times my annual budget. Yes, yes. 

Paula Allison: And believe me, it is very significant to us too. And it's over three years, it's over four campuses, but super grateful to hear that news this fall. 

Jeff Holden: Who would be some of the Collaborative partners that you work with. Sure. Do you see as instrumental in supporting the foundation?

Paula Allison: Yeah, great question because we certainly could not do this alone. Right. So our, our number one partners are our donors. And we are so grateful to them. Every gift, no matter the size, is so meaningful to us. I also want to give a shout out to the Los Rios Colleges Foundation Board. And that is a [00:24:00] group of business and community leaders.

You know, I, I have three jobs for them, as I tell them, they're ambassadors, they're advocates and they're askers, and they do all three with just such skill and grace and joy, and so I'm really grateful to that, but, you know, when I think about some big collaborations in the last few years, I just have to thank some corporate partners that have really come alongside us, one that pops into my head is Kaiser Permanente, right?

Mm hmm. And early on in COVID, they had gone through a process, believe it or not, it had to do with construction. They couldn't get their medical buildings built. 

Jeff Holden: Oh, sure. Yeah. And that's a I can appreciate 

Paula Allison: that. Right? And we know construction is a, is a sore spot for a lot of Places in the, in our region, having enough skilled construction workers.

So they brought together their subcontractors and then somebody on my board from capital impact, Alex Tagavin, or my past board chair, incredible person. He brought us [00:25:00] all together so that we could understand what their needs were, like what specific skills they needed. to have the construction workers to have, and then we were able to work with our wonderful faculty at Consumers River College to, to really be nimble and understand like what tweaks to the curriculum were needed.

But also we were able to use scholarship money from Kaiser Permanente to attract new people into the field. So, we Women, people who were disproportionately impacted, formerly incarcerated, because they want diverse workers, too, and help to lift folks out of poverty and into social mobility. So it's been an incredible partnership, and we are lucky, so we have the apprenticeship The pre apprenticeship and construction programs that consume this river, but then you drive across Sacramento over to American River College and we house the apprenticeship programs for, um, the trades industry.

And that is really what Kaiser is looking for, is looking for. students to join [00:26:00] the professional trades. And so we have a scholarship for students who transition from the pre apprenticeship over to apprenticeship and we're removing barriers. So the construction students, they have to take a test and we pay for the tests through that scholarship.

We give them this enrollment scholarship. They finish, they get a scout like a milestone scholarship. So we've really seen the impact Kaiser Permanente has made through that scholarship. They also just recently signed up. For another scholarship and we call these programs are promised a career because we realize that a lot of our scholarships were focused on the students who are transferring to four years.

We didn't have as much support for our career ed students and we wanted to support them. And so, they just gave us, so the first one was 225, 000 for construction. They just gave us a 50, 000 grant, which we are so grateful for, for our allied health students. And that is, our allied health students have lots of barriers when they graduate.

These are such competitive programs, they're so hard, they finally get [00:27:00] through to the finish line. And that's why we call these finish line scholarships. And they have to pay for state licensing and testing, 

Jeff Holden: which is very expensive, perfectly qualified and competent. They're ready to go to work to go to work and pay the fees.

Paula Allison: And they've done all this hard work to get there, but then it's their last barrier. So Kaiser Permanente has helped us. So we've started a campaign to raise the money for finish line scholarships. Another partner is schools first federal credit union. They've been a longtime partner of Los Rios. We're about ready to announce a 380, 000.

Partnership over the next three years, super excited about that. They are doing a myriad of things with their dollars. They're doing a really incredible event at American River College, where we bring in high school counselors. So that's wonderful outreach to the community professionals to bring them on campus, to make sure we're all in alignment to do what's best for our students as they transition from high school to college, they really have been incredibly supportive of our classified professionals, which are.

Campuses [00:28:00] just run because of the classified professionals. So some professional development and appreciation there. They're supporting our wonderful faculty by sponsoring our annual tenure reception. And they've established a scholarship endowment. So, some wonderful things. And one last collaboration I'm just so excited about, it's got to squeeze in, is with Sutter Health.

Sutter Health has just, I mean, literally given us millions of dollars in grants and philanthropy over the years. But, I mentioned the centers earlier. Yes. We are going to be outfitting the Rancho Cordova Center. We're naming it the Folsom Lake College Rancho Cordova Center Empowered by Sutter Health. And what we're doing is with a 2.

5 million investment, our largest gift ever, they are completely Outfitting the center to train students for specific allied health jobs. We're creating a brand new program to Los Rios radiology tech certificate. We are partnering with the local high school, Cordova High, because [00:29:00] they have a healthcare pathway.

And so we're all connecting and partnering together. So it's just incredible. And we are so excited and thankful for that investment. 

Jeff Holden: And we hear so much about the Sutters and the Kaisers contributing to the community and their contributions create the workforce. 

Paula Allison: Absolutely true. This isn't 

Jeff Holden: just, you know, here's some money for your organization to prevent or support.

They are creating a revenue stream. By education, it allows those students then to become employed back in the community. It's what a beautiful 360. Oh, it's 

Paula Allison: wonderful. It is. And like the equipment that will be going in at Rancho Cordova is top notch, top of the line. We never would have been able to afford that.

But it's exactly what students need to be trained on so that they're marketable when they go out to get jobs. 

Jeff Holden: You shared a little bit just through that discussion in terms of your collaborative partners. It's contribution. It's coming through. the foundation. [00:30:00] How else do you raise money? Where is the rest of your budget come from?

Paula Allison: Sure, absolutely. So again, it's pretty much individuals, corporations, some private support from foundations for grants. So we do have a piece of, of grants. You know, we over the last four years gave away 10. 6 million right back to our, our students and our colleges. We are so lucky. Our district has really valued the role the foundation plays.

And so they pick up our overhead, they pick up our salaries and our benefits. 

Jeff Holden: It's amazing. It just goes 

Paula Allison: 91 cents of every dollar goes right back out to students and to the colleges. So that is incredible. We also have. really focused in the last, you know, the last five years on plan giving and really working with donors who want to leave a legacy through a bequest or an IRA charitable rollover, a gift of real estate, their donor advised fund, I've been [00:31:00] really grateful.

And we actually launched our Los Rios Legacy Society three years ago. We're having a lot of fun with that. We're bringing all these folks. together. Yes. And I mean, they're just so incredible. Great. There's tax advantages to giving this way, but really they give because of the joy of giving back and thinking about leaving a legacy.

So we get together once a year just to thank them. And we have students there and we expose them to like this last time we went to the hair center and got to hear about all the arts programs across the district. So it's a lot of fun, but then thinking of legacy, you know, something that is really important to us is continuing to build our endowment.

Because we want to make sure that long after I'm gone, and my team is gone, that there's money in perpetuity. And so when I got here eight years ago, our portfolio was worth 10 million, and today it's worth 29 million. Oh, that's 

Jeff Holden: amazing. 

Paula Allison: So we have really focused on growing our endowment. We have an incredible, um, Finance committee of incredible investment manager, but [00:32:00] really it's it's because of folks stepping up and deciding to create these endowments that last forever.

Another cool thing we did about a year and a half ago, we received a wonderful current million dollar current use gift again. That was the largest gift at the time from a retiring faculty who wanted to do something with the art department at Sac City College. But we talked to him and together we established a separate.

Endowment Portfolio and ESG Portfolio. So now we offer two and it's been really nice to have donors have that choice to decide how their dollars are invested and we've seen a lot of donors excited about that. 

Jeff Holden: Well, that gives everybody the confidence, the sustainability of the organization. 

Paula Allison: Yes. Yeah, 

Jeff Holden: the sustainability.

The ability to contribute to support the students. 

Paula Allison: Absolutely, and you know, I'll share a personal story if I may. So my mom passed a few years ago and she was a lifelong, she was a public school principal for 30 something years. But single mom, raised by a just [00:33:00] incredible single mom. And when she passed, my family decided to start an endowment in her name.

You know, for, for the community, our endowment starts at 10, 000, which is actually a bargain compared to some of my higher ed sisters. And so we just worked on what was called an emerging endowment. And so we just started to give until we hit that 10, 000. Mark and now we have this incredible $500 scholarship that goes out to students who were raised by a single parent.

Perfect. And we had our scholarship report. Of course I'm not involved in selecting it, but my sister and I had so much joy in my girls reading about who we got to support, who went off to uc, Berkeley to do great things. 

Jeff Holden: And now you can follow that student, follow that you're responsible for. Absolutely.

Who is out? Yes, in the world doing 

Paula Allison: their thing, yeah, and thanks to my mom, yeah, it's neat. Thanks. 

Jeff Holden: Foundation Budget, what is the size of your budget? I was gonna do the math on that over the four years But I don't want to be incorrect on that. 

Paula Allison: [00:34:00] Sure. Well, so my overall my portfolio is 29 And then we end up spending about 2 million a year.

Jeff Holden: Okay, 

Paula Allison: but again, that's that's mainly I mean It's less than, it's like a, I don't know, 150 to 300 in, in like administrative, like, you know, my Razor's Edge platform. But it's all, it's over 2 million is going back out to the campuses. 

Jeff Holden: And that really is not inclusive of what Sutter's doing with the center or what Kaiser's doing with some of the programs, correct?

Or is that inclusive? 

Paula Allison: Well, it's inclusive in that that's part of the money that I would give back. So we're basically like a pass through in a way, if you think about it. But we're a pass through, but we're the stewards of it. I mean, that's why we exist, to make sure that when a donor gives us dollars, that it's used properly.

And that's our role. 

Jeff Holden: Yes. And where the distinction may come is if it's restricted for a particular situation. 

Paula Allison: Absolutely. Yes. And most of our [00:35:00] dollars are restricted, you know, either for scholarships or a program like you just shared. Right. 

Jeff Holden: Okay. 

Paula Allison: Exactly. 

Jeff Holden: Oh, you've got a lot going on. 

Paula Allison: It's all, it's so fun. I have never had a boring day at work.

I love it. 

Jeff Holden: Let's take a minute for our own dream center here. 

Paula Allison: Yes. Oh, yes. 

Jeff Holden: If budget wasn't an issue. If you didn't have these constraints of, you only have so much money, what if you had all the money in the world, what would it look like? 

Paula Allison: Oh my gosh, well, I always say I'm in the dream business because I get to help donors realize their dreams and students realize their dreams and I'm the matchmaker and put them together.

And now I get to dream, that's very exciting. Money, I mean, you heard me say that, you know, we gave out the 10 million. Well, I think a good example is scholarships. So last year we had, you know, a little over 600, I think it was like 650, 000 just. But basically about the same number of students. Uh huh. But we had thousands of applicants and so, man, if we just had more dollars to support students and, [00:36:00] you know, I say it for two reasons.

One, because they need it and it helps them stay in school and achieve. But also, I think, You mean time and time again when we get because we have our scholarship recipients always send in a thank you And we always send a report out to every donor But they always say the best part about the scholarship is that somebody believed in 

Jeff Holden: them 

Paula Allison: And that to me is priceless And so I would want that for as many students as we possibly could have you know the other thing that is like Total blue sky, but, um, yeah, but this is it, you said Dream Center, right?

Who knows, somebody listens 

Jeff Holden: and says, I like that idea. 

Paula Allison: Really? Well, this is a big idea, but there's elements of it. So the big idea is student housing, you know, just like everywhere else across. It's the, the region housing is a problem for, for our students. And it's the number one reason why they ask for help in the student emergency fund.

We were so blessed, CRC, Consumeness River, received 44 million from the state to build student housing. So it's [00:37:00] going to be our first college that will have student housing. It won't be ready until, I think it's 2028 and it'll be for low income students, 147 beds. And so we will end up doing a fundraising campaign around that to try to raise some money to help.

Make that that rent even cheaper for students, but aside from somebody coming forward and being willing to build a student housing, you know, I do think there are things that we can do collectively to take that burden away from students. I would love to start like a rental deposit fund so that a student who just needed 1000.

Jeff Holden: For the deposit. For that 

Paula Allison: deposit. That is the biggest barrier. 

Jeff Holden: I hear it all the time. Yes. I hear it. They can 

Paula Allison: pay the rent. They just can't. It's almost, you know, it's equivalent to that down payment on your house, right? Yeah. So, and, and then when they don't have a place to stay, then everything spirals downward.

Right. And so if we could just raise some money for that, boy, that would just, just make me thrilled because I know what an impact that would make. 

Jeff Holden: [00:38:00] And this is kind of going hand in hand because you blended that conversation. Yeah. Greatest need. for the foundation. What do you see is the greatest need?

Paula Allison: Yeah, it is very much connected. Yeah, I mean, so we have an incredible fund called the Student Emergency Fund, and it is a fund that we started before COVID. And we were starting to really raise money separately just for that. And the idea behind it is a student in crisis can come. They fill out an application saying what their crisis is and then we would give them a 500 check and we found that that really was all the difference.

And, and we're talking, you know, some of them just needed 200 because the tire blew on their car. But if they don't have the money to fix the car, they can't make it to school, they can't go to work. Yeah. So it's just, again, it's that spiraling down thing. And then COVID hit and then our district, I'm just so proud of and so grateful, [00:39:00] you know, so many of us got Herff dollars, state emergency dollars.

Our district decided to give the foundation an allotment of it for the student emergency fund. So we went, we went from giving out, we were so proud right before COVID, we gave out the most amount of student emergency funds, which was 79, seven, nine. In COVID, we gave out 17 million worth of student emergency funds.

We were able to up it to 1, 000. So we were able to support 17, 000 students instead. And that has just been incredible. We have so much data now. We know that a student who receives a student emergency fund persists better. So it goes from one semester to the next. And their success rate is better. So their grades are better again, because that emergency situation is off their plate.

They're not stressed. They're able to focus on that burden 

Jeff Holden: of worry for just basic living [00:40:00] skills, basic living needs versus yes, I have to go to school. 

Paula Allison: Exactly. So. We've, we, you know, we, we had to spend all the money this December. So we are, we're out of that money. And so it's just breaking my heart to go back to the 500, but you know, I have a hundred thousand dollars to give out.

I mean, I'm being very careful with my dollars and I have a budget so I can give out for the next three years, a hundred thousand, if I could raise more for that and help more students. So going from 17, 000 to 100 is heartbreaking, you know, it's the most I can do. And again, I was so grateful we could impact that many students, but that's certainly weighing on my heart.

Jeff Holden: One again, for somebody who's listening who might know every contribution, every contribution helps here. Absolutely. Because that's going to move right back into the student population. That is so true. To benefit a student. 

Paula Allison: Yes. 

Jeff Holden: What's the best way to learn about the college? How does one find out? I, I, not the college.

[00:41:00] No, college is. That's okay. I have to say the foundation. Sure, you bet. I'm so wrapped up in the students and the college part of it. But the foundation is what's supporting those students. So, so how do we find out? Sure. And get the information if we want to either contribute or just learn a little bit more about it.

Paula Allison: Sure. Well, I definitely would invite someone to go to our website, which is foundation. losrios. edu. 

Jeff Holden: Okay. So, L O S R I S 

Paula Allison: E D U. Yeah. You'll put that in? I'll put that in the show notes. I absolutely put that in the 

Jeff Holden: show notes. 

Paula Allison: And then same thing with our email. It's just foundation at losrios. edu. Do you have a minute?

Can I tell you? Please, absolutely, yes. The one thing we didn't touch on was the Harris Center, and it's so unique. And it is something that we support. We kind of consider it a program, but the Harris Center is an incredible performing arts facility located at the Folsom Lake Campus. And it's, let's see, it's February, I think we're at, it's celebrating its 12th year.

Jeff Holden: Can't miss it off of East Big Low. You can't miss it I love the performances there. Yes, 

Paula Allison: it's [00:42:00] right on the hill. It really is a gem. It's a gem for our students to have, first and foremost, the instructional ability to perform on those stages. There's three stages, whether it be our small 100 seat recital hall or our 800 seat large theater, stage one.

And then we have a small 200, mid size, the city theater. But it's an incredible opportunity. We have a really great technical theater program, and the students are building sets. And they're getting hired by Broadway Sacramento and Music Circus and it's been a great 

Jeff Holden: TEDx Talks and on and on and on.

Exactly, absolutely. 

Paula Allison: So, yes, as a matter of fact, tonight I'm going to go see Hadestown. So we have an incredible Broadway series right now. So we have the instruction, we have Broadway. We also have really great community partnerships. We have, we're the home of the Folsom Lake Symphony, Eldorado Musical Theater, the Pops Chorale.

So we partner with our nonprofit partners. So they have an incredible place to come. But what my role in [00:43:00] the, in the role of the foundation is just like any other performing arts venue, ticket sales do not. cover the cost of running an incredible performing arts center like that. So philanthropy plays a really big role in closing that operations gap.

So we have a really exciting membership program. We've really, we've revamped it in the last couple years. We have over 30 percent growth this year. amount of members. Last night was the opening night for Hadestown. We did a beautiful art of wine reception. We invited in our local wineries to come pour. We get to hear about them.

We invited in the Folsom Lake Choir to sing for us. It was so fun. Nice place to just mingle and get to know each other before going to the show. So we have some great membership benefits, but we also do some really cool things for the community. And so we have a It's what's called the Arts Opportunity Fund, and that is to support emerging artists.

So we have an Emerging Artists Grants Program. And then we also have our class acts program, which is school matinees. [00:44:00] And for example, last year we relaunched and had over 1, 200 title one elementary school children come. And we were able to provide the tickets and the transportation for free. So many kids had never been to a theater before.

Jeff Holden: I was just going to say, I wonder how many of those kids even had a clue what they were walking into when they got there. 

Paula Allison: They were so excited. Sure. So, so I just love the hair center. I feel like it's a privilege that the foundation gets to play a role in helping to have it thrive and continue to serve the community.

Jeff Holden: Well, and what a great community asset it is. 

Paula Allison: It is. You know, 

Jeff Holden: for anybody in that, that. greater region. Yes. From a proximity standpoint. Yes. We hadn't had that prior. No, 

Paula Allison: we hadn't. 

Jeff Holden: There's nothing like it. And 

Paula Allison: it's a quick drive up 50 if you're in Sacramento. Easy access. Easy access. Parking is so cheap. Two dollars.

And great shows. And it's safe. And that's why I invite anybody to come and see a show. 

Jeff Holden: Well, you know, just as an aside, Do we have the, the website for the Harris Center? 

Paula Allison: Yes, it's harriscenter. [00:45:00] net. 

Jeff Holden: Okay. Yes. So harriscenter. net. Yes. I'll put that in the show notes as well. Oh, that'd be 

Paula Allison: great. Thank 

Jeff Holden: you.

Because so much happens there. And so much good happens there in terms of not only the performances, but the educational series that go on. Exactly. Yes. And, uh, I'm not even sure of all the other pieces, but I know 

Paula Allison: Yes, another, yeah, I was thinking of, because I have, I'm a theater mama, and my daughter did it in high school, and so the Linnea Festival, which any, any parent who's had a theater kid, it brings in 1, 400 high school theater kids to have three days at the Harris Center and get to Oh, it's wonderful.

So again, it's a, it really is a regional gem, I would say. Yes. With a 

Jeff Holden: lot of access. Yes, absolutely. For a lot of different organizations. A lot of different 

Paula Allison: organizations. Yes. 

Jeff Holden: Well, Paula, this has been so enlightening. Thank you. And I think it's educated a lot of people to these resources they have right in our backyard over a course of those four schools.

Yes. Like you said, what, 2, 300 miles? 

Paula Allison: Yes. 

Jeff Holden: That's, that's And an unbelievable envelopment, not to mention the fact that there's 62, 000 [00:46:00] students. 

Paula Allison: Yes, and I invite any community member, come take a class. The one thing we didn't talk about was really the transition to online. And how, you know, I'm so proud of our faculty for pivoting so quickly.

But we are about 50 50. Depends on the campus, but virtual to in person. And we don't really know if that's going to change. We were able to meet the market demand. And I would say, you know, there's lots of philosophical debate what's better, to be in a classroom or online, but the reality is we know students want to do it online.

So now you can take a class if you live in Tennessee. Get back to your basic needs. If you don't have a car, what are you going to do? Absolutely. You 

Jeff Holden: can still get the education. Keep the job to get to the car. 

Paula Allison: Exactly. Right. So we have this incredible inventory now of classes open to anybody in the community.

Jeff Holden: Oh, I'm glad you offered that because people need to know that's so important. Yes, we see the changing face of our community. We see the difference in the people who are now putting the expectation [00:47:00] on the services and the opportunities and education that we offer. And What the foundation is doing is allowing so many more people access to that education.

And we all know that education is the pathway to success. It doesn't necessarily have to be that four year education. It can be to a trade and trades today, they pay so well. They do. So just getting through and understanding and having an opportunity and know that you've got the security. 

Paula Allison: Yes. 

Jeff Holden: That you will likely get to a graduation because you're You're supported in some way, shape, or form.

Back to your point. You gave the confidence. You gave me the confidence. Somebody believed in me. Yes, 

Paula Allison: somebody cares about me. 

Jeff Holden: I'm gonna go through it and the foundation provides that. So for you and your team and the people that are making that happen, that dream of getting through school with an education that's a college education to get them on to the next best job and or the next best education through a four year university, Thank you for what you do.

Paula Allison: You're welcome. And we're just grateful to our community for partnering with us in our work. [00:48:00] 

Jeff Holden: And what a wonderful steward, enthusiastic steward you are. One of the most enthusiastic people I've had in the chair. Well, you can 

Paula Allison: tell. I'm very passionate about my students. It's 

Jeff Holden: that energy and that expressiveness.

And I can only imagine what that does when you're presenting to somebody for either a grant or a donor or whatever. However, how. Absorb they are in your story. 

Paula Allison: Well, we can get excited together about the difference we can make together. Absolutely. Well, Thank you, Jeff.

Jeff Holden: Thank you for listening to the Nonprofit Podcast Network. I hope you enjoyed the episode. If what you heard moved you, please reach out to that organization and do what you can to help. If you like and appreciate what we're doing to support local nonprofits, please give us a positive review, subscribe, and share.

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