Our History
The San Mateo County Community College District (District) has a rich legacy of expanding access to higher education across the region. For decades, its three colleges—Cañada College, College of San Mateo, and Skyline College—have empowered generations of students through academic excellence, workforce training, and community engagement. This history reflects a deep commitment to equity, innovation, and lifelong learning.
The San Mateo County Community Colleges Foundation (Foundation) was formed by the Board of Trustees of the District on March 25, 1966, as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Until the 1990s, the Foundation was governed and administered by the District's Trustees, and its function was limited to accepting and distributing gifts.
Today, the Foundation is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and District leadership and led by a professional team who raises and manages philanthropic resources for student success initiatives and offers avenues for legacy giving. The Foundation stewards nearly $50 million in assets to support scholarships, programs, departments, and District initiatives at Cañada College, College of San Mateo, and Skyline College. Annual fundraising and scholarship endowment distributions drive retention positioning students to earn 31-48% more upon graduation.
This is especially important for San Mateo County residents because the high cost of living, coupled with a wide disparity in income levels. At the same time, there are far more well-paid jobs available in the area than local residents are sufficiently trained to fill them. No single approach can fully resolve the societal stresses created by these factors, but donor support and long-range District strategic planning have shown to increase the number and percentage of students achieving their goals in a timely manner.