Michelson 20MM Foundation

We’re excited to introduce the Spark Community Advisors, a dynamic group of experts whose work will help shape the future of Open Educational Resources (#OER): ?? Elaine Correa, Ph.D, California State University, Bakersfield ?? Paola Santana, GLENDALE COLLEGE FOUNDATION INCORPORATED ?? Katie Wagman, UCLA With deep knowledge in education, policy, and community engagement, they’re identifying innovative solutions to promote equitable access to learning materials. Learn more about their impact and the 2025 #SparkGrants funding cycle: https://lnkd.in/gWNqtmCF

?? Calling all student leaders! ?? Applications are now open for our second annual student fellowship cohort! We are looking for undergraduate student leaders in California who are passionate about breaking barriers to education and finding solutions to systemic injustices. As fellows, students use organizing, research, and direct advocacy to build the movement for affordability and equity in higher education. Fellows will be provided with: ? hourly pay ? professional development ? advocacy training ? sponsored conference attendance/presentation opportunities ??? The deadline to apply is May 6th, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. To read more about the fellowship and apply, visit: https://lnkd.in/gs3is5N9 #studentfellowship #paidfellowship

We are excited to award a #SmartJustice #SparkGrant to UC San Diego's Transfer Coalition Initiative! This project aims to break down barriers to higher education for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals by creating a unified regional network of support. The collaboration represents a transformative approach to reentry education, one that can be scaled across the nation to drive systemic change. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gQnSEjpb

?? Happy Open Education Week! As practitioners all over the world take time to celebrate all #OER has to offer, the Community College Consortium for Open Educational Resources is marking four years of Open For AntiRacism tomorrow with a panel featuring stellar OER leaders from the California Community Colleges. #OEWeek25 https://lnkd.in/gTyazYj3

??The Michelson OER #Spark Grants funding cycle is officially open! This is a unique opportunity to support transformative projects that advance Open Educational Resources (OER) across California and beyond. We’re looking for innovative proposals in these focus areas: ? Supporting Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) degree programs within the California Community College (CCC) system. ? Mobilizing students & faculty to champion OER policies across UC, CCC, and CSU systems. ? Strengthening OER marketing materials for under-resourced programs nationwide. ? Conducting research & public education on automatic textbook billing and student protections. ? Investigating state & federal policies related to textbook accessibility, OER, and price transparency. If you're passionate about making education more affordable and accessible, apply now! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eg4FJrd #OER #OpenEducation #HigherEd #EducationFunding #ZTC #StudentSuccess

We’re excited to introduce the Student Basic Needs #SparkCommunityAdvisors, a group of extraordinary leaders who are helping drive innovative solutions to combat food and housing insecurity among California's students. ?? These advisors bring valuable expertise and deep insights that will help shape actionable strategies for student success. Through their efforts, they’re identifying projects that ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive academically. ?? Meet our amazing advisors: -Heather Brandt, City College of San Francisco -Sadie Brown, Real College California Coalition -Irene Lewis, Food Research & Action Center -Danielle Mu?oz-Channel, California State University, Long Beach -Mayra Nunez Martinez, Wheelhouse: The Center for Community College Leadership and Research Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ebt549x9

Did you know that California’s wildfire response depends on incarcerated individuals? Many have risked their lives to protect communities, yet when they return home, they face significant barriers—stigma, limited job opportunities, and obstacles to re-entry. Kenia Miranda Verdugo considers the complex legacy of these heroes and highlights the need for smart justice reforms to help break down the barriers, giving them the second chance they’ve earned. Read more ??

Whether you missed our most recent webinar or want to revisit the discussion, we've got you covered! The recording of the open educational resources (#OER) #SparkGrants funding cycle informational webinar is now available on YouTube. ?? Watch it here ?? https://lnkd.in/gWM_c2Vw

We are happy to support the work of Real College California Coalition in gathering critical data on students’ basic needs and addressing the barriers to their academic success.

?? We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024 Student Basic Needs Spark Grants! These grants will address critical issues like food and housing insecurity and help support meaningful efforts to ensure that students have access to the resources they need to thrive. This year’s recipients are: ?? California Competes, working to improve access to essential public benefits like CalFresh and Medi-Cal for students, making it easier to navigate the system. ?? Real College California Coalition (RCCC), continuing their important research to better understand and address food and housing insecurities in California Community Colleges. ?? Swipe Out Hunger, expanding their work to fight food insecurity on campuses nationwide, ensuring no student has to go hungry while pursuing their education. Each of these organizations is making a difference in the lives of students, and we’re excited to see how their efforts will help build stronger, more resilient support systems. We encourage you to learn more about their work and join us in supporting their mission. Read more here ?? https://lnkd.in/gWn6-6FF Together, we can create a brighter future for students across the country! #BasicNeeds #StudentSupport #SparkGrants #StrongerFutures #AccessForAll