Sierra College Foundation Started New Semester with Impactful Gifts

February 23, 2026

Sierra College Foundation (SCF) started a new semester after an impressive Year End Giving campaign, private gift and corporate grant program that closed out 2025. In addition to individual gifts, Placer companies and non-profits such as Bosch, Kaiser Permanente, U.S. Bank, AT&T, South Placer Rotary and more helped SCF raise nearly $800,000 to support Sierra College students. 

“Sierra College is training our region’s future police officers, firefighters, nurses and health care workers,” said Sonbol Aliabadi, Executive Director of the Sierra College Foundation. “By supporting Sierra College students, we’re investing in the future of our region by saying we believe in you. Our students go on to make significant contributions to our local economy, demonstrating the powerful impact of education.”

Gifts received for the 2025 fall semester include: 

  • $450,000 from the Butts Family Trust to benefit the Housing Endowment, the Butts Environmental Studies & Sustainability Scholarship Endowment, the Mike Price Sierra College Press Endowment Fund and the New Legacy CommUnity Scholarship Endowment 
  • $90,000 for nine complete housing scholarships for one year 
  • $45,000 from the Bosch Community Fund to the Career Technical Education Support Fund 
  • $30,000 from U.S. Bank to support Work Force Development Construction Boot Camps, the Basic Needs Center and Welding Technology 
  • Nearly $30,000 in individual private gifts for the SCF End of Year Giving campaign 
  • $25,000 from Kaiser Permanente for basic needs including food security and mental health support 
  • $20,000 from AT&T to provide virtual labs for students 
  • South Placer Rotary donated 4,200 diapers, 8,000 packages of baby wipes, formula, and other goods for the Basic Needs Center 

“People assume Sierra College students don’t need assistance because community college is nearly free,” said Ed Bonner, SCF President. “Over 60 percent of Sierra College students are eligible for some sort of financial assistance. While registration fees might be affordable, cost of living as we know is not. Students need help with supplies, program fees, food, housing, transportation – the basic needs. The Foundation can even help support new programs to meet our region’s workforce demands.”

Additionally, the Sierra College Foundation held its annual golf tournament to raise money for Wolverine Athletics. The 2025 Sierra College Golf Classic raised nearly $100,000 for the Sierra College Athletics program.

There are several ways to support our students. If you are interested in donating to SCF, please visit www.sierracollege.edu/giving or learning more, view the SCF Annual Impact Report.

About Sierra College Foundation

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 College Joint Community College District of Placer, Nevada and parts of Sacramento and El Dorado Counties. For more information about Sierra College Foundation and how to give or volunteer, visit https://www.sierracollege.edu/foundation.

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