Cal Coast Cares Foundation
Our mission is to help local educators and students by providing grants for teachers and scholarships for college-bound high school seniors, including a special program for foster youth in San Diego and Riverside Counties.
Supporting Local Educators and Students
Since its founding in 2015, the non-profit Cal Coast Cares Foundation1 has had an outsize impact on the lives of students and teachers across the region.
The Foundation, established by California Coast Credit Union as a separate 501(c)(3) non-profit, provides grants for teachers and scholarships for college-bound high school seniors, including a special program for current or former foster youth, in San Diego and Riverside Counties.
“Our board of directors felt strongly about helping foster youth,” said Todd Lane, Vice Chair of the Foundation and CEO & President of California Coast Credit Union. “The board established a special set of criteria for foster applicants including fast-tracking first year recipients to allow them to easily qualify for a 2nd year scholarship as long as they met some very basic requirements. We feel this provides these students with an added degree of certainty and support that is probably lacking in other parts of their lives as they work through their special set of challenges.”
One of those former foster students to benefit from the Cal Coast Cares scholarship is Alexis Tenney, who is attending Grossmont College in La Mesa. She’s applying her scholarship to pursue a career goal inspired by her parents. “Being awarded this scholarship validates all my hard work is paying off. Because of the money I received, I will be able to earn my degree in Forensics with little or no student debt leftover,” said Tenney.
The Foundation has also directly impacted countless classrooms in the area through grants to teachers for classroom projects in the STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Arts and Math) topics. Grants have helped with everything from hydroponic greenhouse projects to robotics, chemistry kits and much more.
Teresa Basin, 4th grade teacher at Rail Ranch Elementary School in Murrieta, is one of the recipients of a recent classroom grant. She credited the Foundation with helping her inspire young minds. “The learning that takes place in the classroom should not only be academically rigorous, but also fun and engaging for students. Because of (the Foundation’s) generous donation, my students will be able to use the Robotic Legos as they collaborate in teams and solve real-world problems as they explore the world of engineering and science.”
The Cal Coast Cares Foundation hosts two signature annual fundraisers: a popular golf tournament and the Illuminate Pathways reception. The Foundation has been able to increase the number of scholarships and grants provided each year thanks to the generous financial contributions of community and business supporters.
Student Scholarships
The Cal Coast Cares Foundation is excited to announce that scholarships applications are now being accepted for college-bound high school students and current or former foster youth.
In 2023, the Cal Coast Cares Foundation is offering over $185,000 in scholarships to deserving college students, graduating high school seniors, and foster students who are in or have been in the foster care program in San Diego or Riverside Counties to pursue accredited degrees. Be sure to apply by the April 30, 2023 deadline. The Foundation also supports local educators through grants for classroom projects.
California Coast Credit Union was founded in 1929 by local educators, and the non-profit Cal Coast Cares Foundation was created in 2015 to continue their legacy by supporting the local education community, including teachers, students, and staff.
High School—This scholarship award program recognizes outstanding students for their dedication to academic excellence and community leadership. The James L. McPheters Scholarship Program honors former California Coast Credit Union President/CEO James L. McPheters who retired after 21 years of service to the credit union. These scholarships are awarded to graduating high school seniors in San Diego or Riverside Counties to help further their education.
High School Applicants - Apply Now
Current and Former Foster Youth—This scholarship award program is for high school seniors and current college students who are in, or have been in, the foster care program in San Diego or Riverside Counties. The purpose of the scholarship is to assist foster youth in furthering their education.
First Year Applicants - Apply Now
Second Year Applicants - Apply Now
Application Deadline - To be eligible for a 2023 scholarship, you will need to submit your scholarship application and required documents no later than April 30, 2023.
For questions related to student scholarships, please contact Misty Morton: mmorton@calcoastcu.org
Tips for a Successful Application
Current College Students—Through partnership with local colleges, scholarships are awarded to provided monetary support to current college students in need of assistance with academic expenses. Please visit your college's Financial Aid Department for guidelines and applications.
How You Can Help
Thank you for considering a donation to the Cal Coast Cares Foundation to help us continue our efforts to support our local San Diego and Riverside county educators and students through our grant and scholarships programs.
Donate Online
Support local students and teachers by making a secure credit/debit card donation here.2
- The Cal Coast Cares Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Federal Tax ID Number 47-5249703.
- Cash donations are tax-deductible as applicable by law. Consult your tax advisor for additional information.
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