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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFunding - COD FoundationCITY OF PALM DESERT CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE STAFF REPORT REQUEST: CONSIDERATION OF FUNDING REQUEST BY COLLEGE OF THE DESERT (COD) FOUNDATION. SUBMITTED BY: John M. Wohlmuth, City Manager DATE: February 13, 2014 CONTENTS: Letter from COD Foundation's Changing Lives Campaign Recommendation By Minute Motion: 1) Commit to contribute $30,000 from the 2014/2015 Fiscal Year budget to COD Foundation's Changing Lives Campaign to assist in raising $3 million in 30 days during March 2014; 2) Authorize the Mayor to sign a letter challenging all Coachella Valley cities to make a similar contribution to COD Foundation's Changing Lives $3 million campaign. Background College of the Desert has been in existence for more than 50 years and the COD Foundation has been in existence for 30 years, helping students and families financially with cost of tuition, textbooks and support services. More than 70% of students who attend College of the Desert are first generation "college -goers". First generation "college -goers" require support as parents and family members are less knowledgeable about the process and financial commitment. Assisting with the access to hire education is also an economic development strategy. Providing a well educated Palm DesertNalley workforce allows for a skilled and higher paid workforce needed to recruit businesses to the City and Valley. A higher paying/skilled workforce also benefits our existing residents and businesses through keeping our students in the Valley having more disposable income. Staff Report Consideration of Funding Request by COD Foundation Page 2 February 13, 2014 Fiscal Impact The $30,000 commitment will potentially reduce what would be available toward charitable contributions in the Fiscal Year 2014/2015 Budget or Council can direct an appropriation this fiscal year from the unobligated Community Contingency Reserve. Submitted By: hn M. Wohlmuth, City Manager Paul S. Gibson, Director of Finance CITY COUNCILACTION APPROVED ✓✓ DENIED RECEIVED OTHER 1VIEETI G DAT + G�—��/Y AYES:' ) I �U ! : Cenn f NOES: ABSENT: (CYi )/K ABSTAIN: Alai"( VERIFIED BY: /-t //I IA Original on File with City Ck Jk's Office COD Foundation's changing January 31, 2014 CAMPAIGN The Honorable Van Tanner, Mayor of Palm Desert Members of the Palm Desert City Council John Wohlmuth, City Manager .30YEARS .30OAY5 $3MILL/ON TO RA/SE Dear Mayor Tanner, Members of the City Council, and City Manager Wohlmuth, For more than fifty years, College of the Desert has been educating students, providing graduates to fill critical workforce needs in the Valley and improving the quality of life for all Coachella Valley residents. The COD Foundation has also been in place for thirty years, helping to support student success for more than 10,000 attendees each year by filling in the gaps where state budget monies fall short. We respectfully ask City Council to consider a request for $30,000 in support for our upcoming $3 million Changing Lives Campaign that will run through March of this year. Specifically, the $3 million campaign is designed to secure and increase financial assistance to support student success at College of the Desert. Palm Desert students account for almost 14% of the student count — second only to Indio's 17%. More than 70% of students who attend are the first in their family to attend college and graduate; the $30,000 funding request would extend assistance to these very people in need. Of the $3 million goal, $500,000 is targeted to provide access to college in the form of scholarships, textbooks and academic support services. Additionally, we hope to leverage this Palm Desert request when speaking to the City of Indio about our newest campus site about to open as well as Palm Springs about financial assistance for their future campus. As a leader in the Coachella Valley, we thank the City of Palm Desert for considering a request to support Changing Lives. Thank you for your consideration. Donna Jean Darby Board President COD Foundation James Hummer Executive Director COD Foundation COD Foundation Donna Jean Darby Pres den: Mar< Nic<ersor Vice President Board Members Carol Ammon Robert Archer John J. Benott Joan Busick J:m Carona Jean C. Carrus Norma Castaneda Peggy Cravens Diane Marcus Gershowitz Brian Holcombe Lisa Howell SJsan Hunt Dr Joel L Kinnamon Dr. Bi!I Kroonen Mary E. Latta Donna MacMillan John Marman Per ny Mason JoAnn.McGrath Dr. Charles Monell Michael O'Neill Douglas Redman RJSs RJsse!l Jane Sa•tonstali Dominique Shwe Sally Simonds Kate Spates Larry Spicer Marcia Stein College of the Desert Becky Broughton Chair, Boarc of Trustees Bonne Stefan, Ed.D Vice Chair Mary Jane Sanchez -Fulton Cle•k Michael C'Neill Member Aurora Wilson Member Andrew Campbell Student Trustee Joel L. Kinnamcn, Ed.D Sunerinteneent/President College of the Desert Foundation 43-5oo Monterey Ave., Palm Desert,CA 92260 Ph:76o-773-256i Fax76o-341-1172 www codfoundation.org