The Network of California Community College Foundations cordially invites you to the Bernard Osher Philanthropist of the Year Award event honoring this year’s recipient, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.
The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is being recognized for providing over $17.2 million in philanthropic support over the years to benefit California Community Colleges in the Inland Empire.
Thursday, April 13, 2023 11:00 - 11:45 a.m. PST
Register now
Pre-registeration required
The Bernard Osher Philanthropist of the Year Award is presented annually by the Network of California Community College Foundations to an individual, corporation, or nonprofit organization that demonstrates a commitment to philanthropy and serves as a role model to encourage giving to our California Community Colleges. This year’s award honors the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians for answering their call to create a better tomorrow through a $17.2M investment over the years to support California Community Colleges in the Inland Empire, including Chaffey College, San Bernardino Valley College, Crafton Hills College, and Victor Valley College, along with San Bernardino and Riverside community college districts. Notably, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians’ support of the Valley-Bound Commitment Program at San Bernardino Valley College has eliminated financial barriers for more than 1,700 Inland Empire students who would not have otherwise had the financial means to continue their education beyond high school.
College has eliminated financial barriers for more than 1,700 Inland Empire students who would not have otherwise had the financial means to continue their education beyond high school.
Join us as we thank the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians for their generous support and celebrate the impact of their monumental philanthropic contributions to the California Community Colleges.
For questions, contact conferences@foundationccc.org.
Sponsored by the Foundation for California Community Colleges
The true impact of the funding provided by San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is best demonstrated through the stories of the students assisted, like Kristina J., who shares how the Valley-Bound Commitment Program helped her, particularly through the guidance she received. The acts of human kindness that the Serrano people experienced from their neighbors, together with their sacred values and beliefs, have led the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians to carry on a cycle of cooperation that improves the region for everyone.
More than 80% of Valley-Bound Commitment students are the first in their families to attend college. Valley-Bound alumni have attended universities such as UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, UC Riverside, CSU San Bernardino, Cal Poly Pomona, UCLA, Cal State Los Angeles, Cal Baptist, Embry Riddle, La Verne University and Sacramento State, among others. Past Valley-Bound Commitment program participants have gone on to become counselors, teachers, construction engineers, aeronautics specialists, and social workers, and several program alumni work in San Bernardino Community College District as faculty and classified staff members.
The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians’ philanthropy supports programs that create pathways to a better future through education – they continue to provide the extra boost that many students from low-income families need to complete their educational goals, whether that’s earning a certificate or Associate’s Degree or transferring to a four-year institution. Programs like the Valley-Bound Commitment aim to improve the lives not only of the student recipients but also of their communities thanks to higher rates of educational attainment, which will result in greater job opportunities and economic development throughout the region. By investing in and committing to the California Community Colleges, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has shown the power of philanthropy to make transformative change through education by increasing social and economic mobility, addressing economic barriers for students, and tackling equity issues in our communities.