Sierra College Foundation Raises More Than $3 Million for Local Students

July 22, 2025

Student Scholarships, Endow-a-Bed Program, Career Technical Programs, Basic Needs Center All Receive Funding

Sierra College Foundation (SCF) closes out Academic Year 2024-25 by awarding nearly $350,000 in scholarships to more than 200 local students to help pay for school, as well as living costs such as rent, utilities, gas and food. As an organization, SCF serves as the advancement office for Sierra College and is committed to aligning with Sierra College’s mission: Student success for all while closing equity and achievement gaps. Students often struggle, and financial limitation is the biggest hurdle to student success.

Founded in 1973, SCF raises money to support students, college programs, and the future of Sierra College. SCF does this through individual donations, corporate funding, grants and events such as the President’s Circle Gala, which raised over $400,000 for the Foundation’s Endow-A-Bed Program in early May.

SCF announced that it had raised more than $2 million for its Endow-A-Bed program for the College’s new affordable housing facility that broke ground in April of 2023. The facility will house 354 students paying below market rate, approximately $550 a month. The Endow-A-Bed Program ensures 10 beds remain gratis for students in dire need. The President’s Circle Gala in May raised enough funds to ensure one of those 10 beds remain reserved for a Veteran in perpetuity.

“We’ve had an absolutely exceptional year,” said Sonbol Aliabadi, SCF Executive Director. “In addition to the generous gifts we’ve received from donors, we also launched our Sierra College Alumni Association and the prestigious President’s Circle. The community, our partners and Sierra College alum have mobilized quickly to support both efforts with a deep passion to support our students. The Foundation, and our Board, end this academic year with a deep sense of gratitude.”

This year SCF received many additional notable gifts including:

$400,000 to establish the Joshua Cohen Memorial Endowment Fund to support Sierra College students pursuing degrees in computer science and related fields, as well as faculty in the specified areas of study. Cohen, a former Sierra College student, passed away in a plane crash 20 years ago, Feb. 22, 2005, at the age of 27. The gift was received from Cohen’s cousin, Noah Youngs.
$198,000 from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology designed to increase opportunities for local students to break into the field of cybersecurity.
$100,000 from the Bosch Community Fund to the Career and Technical Education Support Fund.
$50,000 from Sutter Health for the Basic Needs Center.
$30,000 from U.S. Bank to support Work Force Development Construction Boot Camp and the Basic Needs Center.
$15,000 from the Sacramento Chapter of the American Public Works Association for a GPS Surveying System.

Tri-Counties Bank and South Placer Rotary gave diapers, formula, and other goods for the Basic Needs Center.

Sierra College Foundation is independently audited and governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, most of whom live and work in the communities served by the Sierra Joint Community College District of Placer, Nevada, and parts of Sacramento and El Dorado Counties. Join us online for the SCF Back to Basics Auction supporting our Basic Needs Center from Aug. 18 – Sep. 3, 2025. Learn more about SCF, by viewing the 2025 Annual Impact Report. For more information about Sierra College Foundation and how to give, visit: www.sierracollege.edu/foundation.