$25 Million: MacKenzie Scott Gift Advisory Group Unveils Chaffey College Student Support Fund
By Ryan Jackson
Established Jan. 2025, the MacKenzie Scott Gift Advisory Group (MSGAG) is made up of 40 diverse individuals which include: faculty, classified, managers, students, executive leaders and board members.
For the past 10 months the group's mission was to develop a five-year plan that provides Chaffey students with an opportunity to use the $25 million gift. This donation will help underserved four and two-year institutions of higher education. The student support fund focuses on programs that promote student equity and success.
The Chaffey College Governing Board along with MSGAG has allocated $20 million to an endowment fund designed to guarantee lasting support towards student access, retention and success initiatives.
The funds will be used for approved proposals such as:
Student Scholarships
Program Development
Apprenticeships and Internships
Training and Placement Programs
Emergency Financial Support
The proposed projects must align with the college’s policies and must be in accordance with public institution regulation.
Since receiving the gift in 2021, about $1.5 million has been generated from interest in a savings account. The funds from that account is what will be used as the financial source for this student support fund.
For the next five-years or until the funds are fully gone, any interest earned on the fund will be reinvested into the fund. The goal is to spend the money over the next five years to directly benefit student initiatives
So far about $1 million has been given to the Undocu-Success Fellowship program that provides career opportunities for undocumented students.
In addition, training and placement programs will offer free to low-cost skill training and emergency funds for students that are going through unexpected hardships.
More recommendations for spending the fund include:
Student Scholarships for Underserved Communities
Program Development (creation or expansion of academic programs in high demand fields)
Student Support Services (assisting students facing significant barriers)
On Oct. 1, 2025, a Zoom meeting was held to provide background on the application process as well as answer any questions the Chaffey community may have. The meeting was recorded and may be viewed here (password: xp&Z34y$ ).
Students can submit an application for a proposal in mind but will need a faculty or classified employee to lead the project. All proposed ideas must align with the college's policies and be in accordance with public institution regulation. The proposals must have a clear focus on equity while not duplicating existing resources.
Applications for the Student Support Fund opened in August and will last until the application deadline on Friday, Oct. 31.
The MSGAG will begin reviewing applications in November and make recommendations to the board. Applicants will receive an email in December or January with an updated proposal status.
As the governing board reviews recommendations given by MSGAG, they will make final approvals on proposals deemed to have the largest impact on the greatest number of students. The board’s highest priority is to improve outcomes in completion rates, transfer rates and employment.
In January 2026, project leads that submitted an application will receive an email notifying them of their status. Those selected to receive funds will get additional details about a workshop for the budget planning and reporting process.
Chaffey College’s Office of Business Services and Economic Development will oversee all fund disbursements and require project leads to provide annual reports of the implementation and proposal status to the board.