How We Drive Change
At College Futures Foundation, our initiatives are how we activate our strategic focus areas—by defining what we aim to change, who we support, and how we invest grant funding, use our voice and staff capacity.
We partner with learners, experts, and leaders across education technology, postsecondary innovation (within and outside of public education), policy, advocacy, and workforce systems to drive meaningful change.
Each initiative represents a targeted investment in ideas, partners, and strategies that support systems change and expand opportunity for learners who are underserved. While our initiatives differ in scope and approach, all are grounded in our commitment to ensuring that postsecondary education leads to greater economic mobility and advances equity for today’s diverse learners. Across all our efforts, we support policy and advocacy to help drive lasting, systemic change and sustainable solutions at scale.
Our Current Initiatives
Golden Opportunities
Launched: 2024
Higher education has long been seen as a path to a better life—but for too many low- and moderate-income learners, that promise remains out of reach. The Golden Opportunities Initiative seeks to change that by redefining how we understand, measure, and communicate the value of postsecondary education in California.
The first phase of this initiative examined federal data to assess how long it takes underserved students to recoup the costs of college. Building on these insights, the next phase will:
Support Research
We will continue to support research that illuminates where and for whom disparities in post-college economic mobility outcomes persist.
Shift Narratives
Through strategic communications, we will shift narratives around value to center the lived experiences and aspirations of underserved learners.
Activate Networks
We will activate networks to influence policy, institutional practice, and public discourse.
By advancing a more inclusive and evidence-based understanding of value, this initiative aims to make higher education a more reliable and equitable vehicle for economic mobility for all Californians.
Unlocking Economic Mobility for Adult Learners
Launching: 2025
California is home to 4 million adults between the ages of 25 and 64 with some college education, but no degree. These learners are often working adults juggling multiple priorities – jobs, caregiving responsibilities, and family obligations – while navigating complex learning environments that are not designed with their needs in mind. As a result, many are often unable to realize the full return on their educational investment.
The Unlocking Economic Mobility for Adult Learners Initiative aims to change that. We seek to invest in solutions that create more flexible, inclusive, and responsive postsecondary experiences for California’s working adults.
Over the next three years, we will pursue a dual grantmaking strategy that amplifies learner-centered solutions both within and beyond our state’s public postsecondary systems:
Supporting Change Within California’s Public Institutions
We will invest in efforts to identify and dismantle structural barriers so institutions can scale what is working for adult learners.
Learning from Beyond Traditional Systems
We will explore and support the adoption of promising models from outside the public system that demonstrate success in serving adult learners.
Grantmaking Approach
College Futures Foundation’s grantmaking is by invitation only and reflects strategic alignment with our current initiatives. We work closely with organizations and institutions that are advancing ideas and solutions in service of economic mobility and educational equity. While we do not accept unsolicited proposals, we welcome opportunities to learn from those doing work that resonates with our mission and values.