Community Excellence Grants

This grant program aims to find the best and most impactful ideas within our diverse community and give them resources and energy to take root and grow. Programs funded with a Community Excellence Grant will be:

• In service to PCC’s students, faculty, and staff;
• Avenues for deepened connections between the college and communities across our district;
• Spaces for intentional enhancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion;
• Seen as signature demonstrations of PCC’s approach to education, pedagogy, and/or community college administration;
• Expected to demonstrate results within one year of grant award;
• Designed to maximize the impact of a one-time grant through this program;
• Operated in accordance with PCC’s board policies and administrative procedures.

There may be up to $1 million allocated annually to outstanding new programs and initiatives through this program.  

We're glad you asked!  The CEG Committee of the Foundation has made some updates for this year that you'll need to keep in mind:

• Grant Cycles will be for one year only.  
• The grant application has been modified.  There are some new questions plus adjustments to previous questions.  
• Grant References are required.  Any grant application without a completed reference will be automatically rejected.  
• Applicants must use the specific budget template – budget narratives will no longer be accepted.  You can download the template HERE or from the application.
• Your department must take a break from applying for the CEG program after you’ve received grants in three consecutive years.  
• Grants may only have ONE lead person.  Grant leads may develop committees and work groups as needed, but only one person will be responsible for all paperwork, requests, orders, etc. 
• Grant leads may only have one active grant per cycle.
• There will not be any formal information sessions scheduled.  All information will be made available on the Foundation Webpage.  Applicants will have access to walk-in application support and Q&A time during the month of March.  
• For this specific cycle: priority consideration will be given to projects to assist and support students and community members impacted by the Eaton Fire.

• Applications are open from February 18 - April 2, 2025
• Walk-In Support and Q&A Opportunities available during the month of March
• Dean/Director/VP Reference Forms are due by April 4, 2025
• Applicants will be notified on or around May 2, 2025
• The Reception for New and Finishing Grantees is May 29 at the University Club

• Projects funded on July 1, 2023 must be completed by June 30, 2025. 
• Projects funded on July 1, 2024 must be completed by June 30, 2026. 
• NEW GRANTS will be awarded for one year cycles beginning with this application cycle.

• We are not funding upgrades to an individual’s equipment, funding individual travel, or granting individual stipends.
• The grant program was not designed to supplant funding, but rather enhance it.
• We will not fund anything which violates or is in conflict with district policies.

• Original, innovative, exciting, different, and unique projects that support Student Success at PCC.
• Clarity on both your grant activities and the metrics by which you will evaluate your project.
• A detailed, specific budget using the required template
• Following all prerequistes if ordering computers, FFE, or working directly with student groups (review form HERE).
• What CAN you do if awarded this funding as opposed to what you won’t be able to do if you don’t have the funding
• If you are not fully funded, what is your Plan “B”?
• Confirmation from your Dean, Director, or VP that your project may be funded by the college in the future if successful.

Here are some of the questions you'll want to be prepared to answer:

• Please list the full name of the MAIN (Lead) Applicant for your grant project
• Please provide the official title of your grant project 
• Please provide a SHORT description of your project.
• Which population of the PCC Community will benefit most from your project?
• Please list 5 main activities involved in your project.
• Please list at least 3 specific Learning Outcomes, KPI's or other ways you will measure the success of your project.

Yes!  You can upload up to two files (PDF's, Word Docs, Excel Docs) and two images.

Contact Kris McPeak at kmmcpeak@pasadena.edu to request a Grant Modification Request Form.  Completed requests are forwarded to the selection committee for review.  Submitting a request does not guarantee either an extension or additional funding, but the committee did identify a need to provide this option for grantees.

 The PCC Foundation uses Blackbaud Award Management for the application and review of Grant Applications.  You will need to log-in using your LancerPoint credentials.  CLICK HERE to access the application.

 The Foundation Staff will not host workshops for this year's cycle. Applicants may attend our March afternoon walk-in periods.  You can access previously recorded workshops on our YouTube Channel.

Please reach out to Kris McPeak at kmmcpeak@pasadena.edu or you can call her at x7078.