A new philanthropic initiative supports local leaders collaborating across public and private sectors to create career pathways for young people, strengthen civic engagement, and reduce political polarization.
Palm Desert, CA – March 26, 2024 – Today, Carnegie Corporation of New York announced OneFuture Coachella Valley as one of 10 winners of a new initiative to support outstanding local partnerships that educate youth, bolster the workforce, and demonstrate the power of working together.
Profiles in Collective Leadership provides $200,000 grants for nonpartisan collaborations that serve as education and economic bridges in a range of communities across the country. The philanthropic initiative draws on the strengths of local government, education, nonprofit, business, and health care professionals to create career opportunities for young people and encourage civic participation. The 10 recognized partnerships in 8 states will act as exemplars, sharing what they have learned with each other and with the public.
By funding these collaborations in urban, suburban, and rural areas, the Corporation seeks to reduce political polarization and support civic engagement, community cohesion, and trust in public
institutions. The Corporation aims to help young people from all backgrounds move from the classroom to meaningful careers, spurring the socioeconomic mobility necessary to create a thriving economy and sustain a healthy democracy.
The Corporation, in partnership with the education nonprofit Transcend, identified candidates through a competitive national process. The winners were selected by a panel of jurors comprised of a broad range of leaders in business, higher education, and philanthropy.
OneFuture Coachella Valley works with regional K–12 school districts, local colleges, nonprofits, city government, and businesses in Riverside County, California, to address low-educational attainment and career readiness and to build a strong local workforce that can meet the needs of the regional economy.
The partnership develops local solutions to remove barriers and provide support at critical stages, from K–12 education to transitioning into college, pursuing higher education, planning college and career paths, completing degrees, and successfully transitioning into the workforce and community leadership roles. It has developed strategies for key student populations facing the greatest barriers, including low-income students, migrant students, and black and African American students who have historically lagged behind national and state standards in college enrollment, persistence, and completion; and migrant students who are the children of or are themselves migrant or seasonal farm workers.
Key to their approach is involvement from the region’s employers, ensuring student preparation is aligned with local workforce needs. The work began in 2005 to address a community challenge: employers reported 80 percent of hires for high-level positions were recruited from outside the area and key institutions were disconnected and poorly aligned.
The partnership has yielded significant results, contributing to an 18 percent increase in local college enrollment since 2010 and a 27 percent increase in completion of the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA). Additionally, 36 percent of high school students in the region now participate in one of 65 job training programs and $17 million in scholarships have gone to nearly 3,000 students from low-income communities who have earned 1,165 bachelor’s degrees, 488 associate’s degrees, 171 master’s degrees, 17 doctoral degrees, and 87 certificates.
“The economic success of young people and our region is tied to educational attainment,” said Sheila Thornton, president and chief executive officer of OneFuture. “Supporting our students is not only about them getting a degree; it’s about them engaging in civic issues, leading, innovating, and building the future of the region. Their success is our community’s success.”
Julia Lopez, former chief executive officer of the College Futures Foundation, remarked, “I am extremely proud to witness the transformative programs that OneFuture has developed, connecting the dots between high schools, community colleges, universities, and employers; creating a regional collaboration; and establishing a statewide model. OneFuture not only delivers but also generously shares their knowledge and experience so that other communities can thrive.”
In addition to the $200,000 grant, winners will receive opportunities to document and share their story nationally and participate in a community of practice committed to highlighting and replicating these approaches and solutions.
“We launched Profiles based on our belief that communities across the country are working to create opportunities for economic and social mobility as well as civic engagement irrespective of red, blue, or purple politics — and we want to listen and learn from them,” said LaVerne Evans Srinivasan, vice president of the Corporation’s National Program and program director of Education. “OneFuture Coachella Valley is a leading example of this type of collaborative work on the local level, and our hope is that by spotlighting and funding their efforts, we can ultimately influence the field to work in new and collective ways that also mitigate the impact of polarization.”
Learn more about the Profiles in Collective Leadership initiative at carnegie.org/CollectiveLeadership.
About OneFuture Coachella Valley
OneFuture Coachella Valley is proud to partner with educators, cities, agencies, and employers to implement the Regional Plan for College and Career Success, ensuring that student preparation is aligned with local workforce needs. OneFuture provides students with meaningful career explorations, work experience and scholarships, offering a holistic approach for college success by investing in personalized support services for each student. This investment fosters an impressive 92% progression rate from the first to the second year and beyond. Since 2009, more than 45 organizations have partnered with OneFuture to fund $17 million in scholarships to over 3,000 students. Their unwavering belief that “OneFuture believes in the power and potential of every student” underscores a commitment that extends beyond shaping students’ futures; it’s about building a thriving community and a flourishing economy through the power of education.
OneFuture Coachella Valley Transforms Students Lives | Guadlupe’s story
OneFuture Coachella Valley Leads to Economic Success and Educational Attainment
About Carnegie Corporation of New York
Carnegie Corporation of New York was established by Andrew Carnegie in 1911 to promote the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding. In keeping with this mandate, the Corporation’s work focuses on the issues that Carnegie considered of paramount importance: education, international peace, and a strong democracy. As a leading philanthropic funder of nonprofit education programs, the Corporation supports organizations working to ensure that all students are prepared with the knowledge, skills, and motivation they need to fully participate in democracy and thrive in the global economy. @CarnegieCorp
Carnegie Corporation of New York Media Contact: Celeste Ford | Chief Communications Officer | CFC@carnegie.org
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