FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
College of Marin Foundation Receives Landmark $10 Million Matching Grant from The Jay Pritzker Foundation to Empower Students and Strengthen Community
KENTFIELD / NOVATO, CA – The College of Marin Foundation is proud to announce a transformative grant and endowment fund agreement with The Jay Pritzker Foundation, establishing the Jay Pritzker Foundation Centennial Endowment Fund. This landmark agreement with The Jay Pritzker Foundation will commit up to $10 million to create a permanent endowment dedicated to providing crucial needs-based scholarships and grants to College of Marin students. For every dollar donated to this fund, the Jay Pritzker Foundation will provide a one-to-one match creating the potential for a $20 million endowment. This opportunity provides a powerful incentive for community members, local businesses, and other philanthropic organizations to contribute, effectively doubling the impact of every dollar donated.
“By alleviating the burden of everyday expenses, we can empower more students to focus on their studies, achieve their academic goals, and ultimately contribute to the economic and social vitality of Marin County. This incredibly generous matching grant from The Jay Pritzker Foundation is a game-changer for our students and for the future of our community," said Keith Rosenthal, Director of Advancement for the College of Marin Foundation. "It recognizes that the cost of an education extends far beyond tuition.”
This significant investment will have a profound and lasting impact on individual students and the broader Marin community. The endowment will specifically address non-tuition related expenses such as books, computers, food, healthcare, childcare, or aid to cover short-term emergencies.
The Jay Pritzker Foundation Centennial Endowment Fund will prioritize students enrolled in College of Marin's high-demand nursing and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs, addressing critical workforce needs within the region. However, all full- or part-time students in good academic standing or accepted for study at College of Marin are also eligible for support.
Impact on Students:
For many College of Marin students, particularly those facing financial challenges, the costs of living, transportation, childcare, and materials can be overwhelming. This endowment will provide a critical safety net, allowing students to:
- Remain enrolled and complete their degrees or certifications.
- Reduce financial stress, enabling greater focus on academic success.
- Access essential resources like reliable internet and appropriate study materials.
- Overcome unexpected financial emergencies that could otherwise derail their education.
Impact on the Greater Community:
The benefits of this endowment extend far beyond the campus. This endowment not only transforms individual lives--it also generates ripple effects that uplift the broader community in meaningful and lasting ways:
- Create a stronger workforce by supporting students in nursing and STEM, the endowment directly contributes to a more skilled and robust local workforce, addressing shortages in vital sectors.
- Build economic growth as graduates are more likely to secure higher-paying jobs, stimulating the local economy and increasing tax revenues.
- Increase greater access to education by removing the financial barriers and opens the doors of opportunity to a more diverse range of students, fostering social mobility and equity.
- Engage the community as the matching grant encourages broader community philanthropy, fostering a shared commitment to educational excellence in Marin.
"We are incredibly grateful to The Jay Pritzker Foundation for their visionary support," added College of Marin Superintendent/President Dr. Jonanthan Eldridge. "This endowment will not only change individual lives but will also cultivate a more educated, resilient, and prosperous Marin County for generations to come."
As College of Marin turns 100, this centennial endowment fund honors a century of impact in Marin and ensures the College can deliver on its mission to provide educational opportunities for all members of our diverse community for the next 100 years.
Members of the community interested in contributing to the Jay Pritzker Foundation Centennial Endowment Fund and doubling their impact are encouraged to contact the College of Marin Foundation at [email protected].