DVCF Donor Survey 1. What motivates you to donate to charitable causes in general? Personal values Connection to the cause Supporting education/community development Tax benefits Other 2. Why do you choose to donate to the Diablo Valley College Foundation specifically? 3. How did you first get involved with our foundation? 4. Do you donate to other organizations? If so, which ones and why? 5. What are your top priorities or values when selecting organizations to support? 6. How do you prefer to engage with the nonprofits you support? 7. In what ways do you feel our organization can improve to better serve your charitable giving goals? 8. Would you be open to volunteering or getting more involved beyond financial support? 9. Is there anything else you would like to share about your giving experience with us? Thank you for your time and insights! Your feedback is invaluable in helping us better understand and serve our donor community as we work to make a greater impact on the students and programs you support. Submit

< Back Fall Giving: A Season of Momentum and Meaning See how your help has created hope and inspired dreams in the fall season! Fall at DVC always feels a bit electric. The air is crisp, the leaves turn, and the walkways fill with purpose. Students bounce between classes, clubs, and campus events. The hum of activity says it all—this is a season of momentum. You hear it in the rhythm of our Viking Ensemble students, who are turning passion into purpose by performing across campus and in the community while gaining hands-on skills that set them up for professional success. You see it in the buzz of our Student Union, where students gather not just for food pantry access and basic needs support, but for the sense of belonging that sustains them. You feel it at our groundbreaking ceremonies and alumni mixers, where new construction and renewed connections promise something lasting. Even the postseason echoes with that energy. While we won’t detail every stat, just know that Viking football, water polo, and cross country have all had a fall to remember. And that matters—not just for the athletes, but for the spirit it stirs in everyone else. But with all this energy comes the reminder that not all student needs are visible ... On November 10, the DVC Foundation hosted the first-ever Industry Invitational at Oakhurst Country Club—a day of community, generosity, and purpose. Proceeds from the tournament support Fueling Futures: One Meal at a Time, an initiative providing 1,000 meals to students and their families this holiday season. It’s part of our broader commitment through the Student Safety Net Fund, which helps students stay enrolled and succeed by providing emergency grants, food, housing support, and more. “It was just a great day,” said event co-founder JB Balingit. “Everyone came together to support students and their families—and to give DVC culinary students a chance to gain real experience while making a real impact.” And quietly, consistently, the Diablo Valley College Retirees Association (DVCRA) has been part of that impact for decades. Behind the scenes, the retirees and the DVCRA have made sure that students have a pathway to success—funding more scholarships than any other single group at DVC. These aren’t just financial gifts. They’re acts of belief. Each scholarship awarded tells a student: you belong here, and we believe in where you're going. < Previous Next >

Sandra Quevedo Ratcliff Board Member | Regional Sales Leader, SLED Pacific Team at Cisco Sandra serves on the Board of Directors for the Diablo Valley College Foundation and works as a Regional Sales Leader for Cisco's SLED Pacific team. With over a decade of experience in international markets and technology, she specializes in leading high-performing sales teams that support schools and public agencies across the Western United States. Originally from Peru, Sandra brings a global perspective to her work, focusing on inclusive leadership and building trust through shared purpose. She is deeply committed to social impact, having previously co-led the "Meraki Gives" initiative to drive corporate volunteering and community support. <- Back to Roster

< Back Campus Corners: The Student Veteran's Resource Center (SVRC) Let's take a visit to one of the most resourceful places on campus... Our path today takes us just across from the Library, at the base of Science Hill, to the Student Veterans Resource Center (SVRC) on the Diablo Valley College campus. In Contra Costa County alone there are over 53,000 veterans living in our community. Across California, more than 55,000 veterans, active‑duty service members or dependents are enrolled in community colleges each year. These figures remind us that the SVRC serves not only a classroom, but a chapter of lives in transition. When I stepped inside the SVRC, I was greeted by Marine veteran Andres Garcia, who shared: " The SVRC has given me purpose and made it possible to be involved both in the community and on campus. It has also connected me with incredible resources and services that help me succeed.” Nearby, another Marine veteran, Jose Maya Magdalena, didn’t hesitate:“I truly believe I would have dropped out if not for the SVRC. The community and safe space it provides keeps me going.” Their words resonate because they reflect the heart of the SVRC’s mission: a place of support, connection, and academic renewal. As I walked among the study nooks, resource stations and informal gathering areas, it became clear the center is more than a facility—it’s a community anchor. Here at DVC, we cultivate a campus where veteran students are seen, supported and celebrated. And as the data show, the numbers matter: not only for the veterans themselves, but for the strength and diversity they bring to our collective educational experience. Designate your Donation to the SVRC! Next month, our walk will carry us to the center of student life—the Student Union. Stay tuned! < Previous Next >

< Back Legacy Giving: The Charitable Gift Annuity Learn how you can influence DVC for generations to come! This Veterans Month, we’re reminded that service takes many forms. A Charitable Gift Annuity is one way to continue a legacy of giving—offering you lifelong income and tax benefits while ensuring future students at Diablo Valley College have the opportunity to learn, grow, and serve in their own ways. It’s a gift that honors the past and invests in the future. Here's why a Charitable Gift Annuity may be the right giving option for you—and how it helps Diablo Valley College students... What is a Charitable Gift Annuity? A Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) is a simple agreement between you and the Community College League of California. In exchange for your gift of cash, stock, or other assets, you receive fixed payments for life. At the end of the contract, the remaining funds go to the Diablo Valley College Foundation, ensuring your legacy supports local students for years to come. Why Choose a CGA? Income for Life – guaranteed payments for as long as you (or you and a spouse) live. Tax Benefits – a significant portion of your gift qualifies for a charitable deduction, and much of your annuity income may be tax-free. Flexibility in Giving – fund your annuity with cash, CDs, or appreciated securities. Donating stock may allow you to avoid or defer capital gains taxes. Accessible – a CGA can be established with as little as $10,000. Make the Most of your Retirement Funds If you are age 73 or older, you are required to take annual Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from your traditional IRA. These withdrawals are taxable and can increase your annual income tax liability. By directing all or part of your RMD to fund a Charitable Gift Annuity, you can: Reduce Your Taxable Income – the charitable deduction from establishing the annuity can offset some of the taxable impact of your RMD. Convert Retirement Assets into Steady Income – instead of a one-time taxable withdrawal, you receive fixed payments for life. Leave a Lasting Legacy – the residual value of your annuity supports Diablo Valley College Foundation programs and scholarships long after your lifetime. Real Benefits at Every Age The payout rate increases with age. For example, a $10,000 gift from a 70-year-old donor could provide $470 annually, with a large portion tax-free, plus an immediate charitable deduction of more than $4,000. Why DVC? By choosing the Diablo Valley College Foundation as the beneficiary of your Charitable Gift Annuity, your generosity directly impacts students in our community. Your support funds scholarships, academic programs, and initiatives that open doors for students of every background. A CGA is more than a donation—it’s a partnership. You gain peace of mind through reliable income and tax advantages, while creating long-term opportunities for DVC students to achieve their educational and career goals. To learn more about establishing a Charitable Gift Annuity that benefits the Diablo Valley College Foundation, please contact DVCFoundation@dvc.edu or visit the Community College League of California at www.ccleague.org . < Previous Next >

< Back Campus Corners: The Brand-New Engineering and Technology Building Let's take a visit to the brand-new ET Building! Just beyond the Veterans Center, where our student veterans find camaraderie, counseling, and a sense of belonging, the fenced-off area ahead marks a different kind of commitment: a new 32,500-square-foot Engineering Technology Building, now officially under construction. I like to stand on the top of the steepest stairs in county each morning and watch the construction unfold. It’s a great view from there and not because I’m winded. The groundbreaking ceremony held on October 15 marked the beginning of a bold new chapter in DVC’s investment in innovation. Funded by the 2014 Measure E bond, this $56.8 million facility is scheduled to open in fall 2027 and will house programs in engineering, construction, architecture, electronics, energy systems, and industrial design. With dedicated labs for 3D printing, CNC and CAD technology, robotics, and more, the building is designed to deliver hands-on learning experiences that prepare students for in-demand careers in automation, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing. DVC President Dr. Monica Chahal described the project as a direct investment in California’s innovation economy, supported by key partnerships with employers and industry advisors. If you're interested in seeing the build, you can monitor progress here: Live Cams | Clark/Sullivan Construction . As I continue my walk toward the Student Union, the scene shifts—but the energy doesn’t. Inside the Union, students gather at the Basic Needs Center to access the food pantry, get referrals for housing and transportation assistance, or just find a quiet space to catch their breath. This is where wrap-around support lives—in a place where students don’t just survive college, but are supported in every aspect of it. And in nearby corners of the campus, learning labs continue to come alive—places where students are not just studying, but doing. Whether through music, engineering, or peer mentoring, they’re practicing the skills that will shape their futures. Today’s short stroll—from the place where we honor those who’ve served, to the place where students find daily support, to the structure now rising in between—says a lot about who we are at DVC: a college building strong foundations while helping students launch into what’s next. < Previous Next >

< Back President’s Circle: Where Generosity Becomes Momentum for Student Success At Diablo Valley College, student success rarely follows a straight line. Some students balance classes with two jobs. Others are the first in their families to attend college. Many are navigating responsibilities that stretch far beyond campus. And yet, every semester, they show up—ready to keep moving forward. Behind that steady progress is a steady source of support: the President’s Circle of the Diablo Valley College Foundation. President’s Circle members make leadership gifts of $1,000 or more annually. Those gifts provide flexible funding that allows the Foundation to respond quickly and thoughtfully when opportunity—or challenge—arises. And in higher education, timing matters. Flexibility That Changes Trajectories Unlike restricted funding tied to a single purpose, President’s Circle gifts give the Foundation the ability to act where the need is greatest. Sometimes that means helping a student accept a career-building internship. Sometimes it means bridging a short-term financial gap that could otherwise derail enrollment. Sometimes it means strengthening a program that prepares students for real-world work in engineering, digital arts, health sciences, and emerging industries. Because these gifts are flexible, they meet students in real time. A student doesn’t have to wait for the next funding cycle. A faculty partner doesn’t have to scale back a learning experience. An unexpected bill doesn’t automatically become the end of a semester. President’s Circle donors make it possible to respond—not react. “President’s Circle support gives us the ability to step in at critical moments—ensuring a temporary obstacle does not become a permanent setback for a DVC student.” Sustaining the Learning Journey Student success at DVC is not built in a single semester. It unfolds over time. Leadership gifts support scholarships that keep students enrolled. They advance experiential learning that connects classroom knowledge to hands-on practice. They help fund emergency assistance when life takes an unexpected turn. Over time, this layered support creates something powerful: continuity. Students move from classroom to internship. From internship to transfer. From transfer to career. And many return as alumni who mentor, hire, and give back. That is the long arc of learning—and President’s Circle members help sustain it. A Legacy That Extends Beyond Today When donors join the President’s Circle, they are not simply making an annual gift. They are strengthening a culture of responsiveness and opportunity at DVC. Their leadership: Builds institutional resilience Expands access for first-generation and underserved students Ensures the Foundation can move quickly when opportunity appears Reinforces the belief that no student should miss out due to temporary financial hardship Each spring, President’s Circle members gather for a Recognition Breakfast—a moment to hear directly from students, reflect on shared impact, and look ahead to what sustained generosity can accomplish next. But the true celebration happens quietly, semester after semester, as students persist, graduate, transfer, and launch careers. That is the legacy. Join the President’s Circle A leadership gift of $1,000 or more qualifies you as a President’s Circle member for the current giving year. Thank you to those who have already made their leadership gift to become a President’s Circle member. We look forward to celebrating you at our annual President’s Circle Recognition Breakfast on Friday, May 8 at 7:45 a.m. in the Norseman at DVC. If you have not yet joined, we invite you to lead with us. More than recognition, President’s Circle membership is an investment in sustained student success. It ensures that generosity continues to become momentum—semester after semester, student after student. Become a President’s Circle member today. < Previous Next >

< Back Alumni Pulse: Networking, Networking, Networking! Learn about the Alumni Association's recent networking event! Fall always feels like a fresh start. New classes, new faces, and a campus full of people trying to find their footing. It’s the perfect time to talk about something I’ve believed in for decades—networking. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been visiting classrooms and student clubs to run Fun with Networking, a workshop built from forty years of experience. Nothing complicated. Just honest stories, simple tools, and a lot of practice. Students usually start off quiet and unsure. But by the end, they’re talking, laughing, and meeting people they didn’t know an hour earlier. Half the time, I have trouble getting them to stop so we can wrap up. This fall, we took it one step further and held a full networking session on campus. The point was to give students a real place to prAround 50 people joined us. A great mix of alumni and students, light refreshments, and a room full of conversations. Students tried out the skills they learned, and alumni stepped in with encouragement and advice. That’s exactly why these sessions matter: students learn how to network, and alumni get to inspire the next group coming up behind them.actice and to connect them with DVC alumni working in all kinds of fields. When students meet alumni who sat in the same classrooms and walked the same halls, it changes how they see their own path. It shows them what’s possible—and it gives them real examples of how successful people built their careers. Around 50 people joined us. A great mix of alumni and students, light refreshments, and a room full of conversations. Students tried out the skills they learned, and alumni stepped in with encouragement and advice. That’s exactly why these sessions matter: students learn how to network, and alumni get to inspire the next group coming up behind them. We’ll do it again in the spring. I hope to see even more of you there! < Previous Next >

< Back The Viking Ensemble: Making Music and Careers with Experiential Learning Learn about our efforts to create experiential learning for DVC students! This fall, Diablo Valley College is buzzing with more than just students headed to class—it’s alive with music, collaboration, and career preparation, thanks to a unique experiential learning program: the Viking Ensemble Associate Fellow Program. With support from DVC Foundation donors, six music students are selected each academic year to serve as Associate Fellows in this dynamic, student-led performance group. These students aren’t just playing music—they’re building their careers. From planning campus concerts and coordinating logistics with community partners, to rehearsing and performing at local nonprofits and DVC sponsor locations, these Fellows take on real-world responsibilities that mirror the creative and collaborative demands of professional life. Under the guidance of music faculty mentors and seasoned industry professionals, the Viking Ensemble experience blends artistic growth with project management, event planning, and leadership training. Each Fellow receives a stipend—made possible through donor support—that allows them to focus on learning and performing, rather than balancing additional jobs or unrelated work-study roles: “This experience helped me build confidence as a performer and a leader,” shared one participant. “It’s something I never would have had access to without the support of the Foundation and its donors.” The Ensemble performs at least eight events per semester , infusing both the campus and community with live music and demonstrating what’s possible when education is paired with hands-on practice. These performances are more than concerts—they're proof points that student talent, when supported by opportunity, thrives. And that’s exactly what DVC’s experiential learning mission is all about: preparing students for life beyond the classroom with experiences that make them career-ready, community-connected, and creatively inspired. The Viking Ensemble is just one of many programs where your support makes a difference. Thank you for helping DVC students turn passion into purpose. < Previous Next >

Board Membership Without our board we cannot succeed. The work we do as a foundation is only possible with the strategic support we receive from our board leaders. Each year members of the community dedicate unpaid time to direct the work of the foundation and ensure that we are fulfilling our mission to support the students and programs of Diablo Valley College. The broader the base of our board leaders, the better equipped we are to ensure that the entire community is represented in the work we do. Please consider submitting a board application and joining us in this work. Let’s Work Together First name* Last name Email Phone Multi-line address Country/Region Address City Zip / Postal code Company name Position How did you hear about the DVC Foundation?* Are you an alum? If so, when did you attend and what was your focus?* Have you served on a nonprofit board before? If yes, which one(s)?* Why would you like to serve on the DVC Foundation board?* Beyond the board fiduciary responsibilities, all board members are expected to lead giving with membership to the President's Circle ($1,000 minimum gift each year.) Are you willing to commit to this requirement?* Yes No Regular meeting participation is necessary for the Foundation to succeed in it's mission to serve the students and programs at DVC. Are you willing to commit to attending monthly board and committee meetings? * Yes No Submit

< Back This Month in History Black History, Community Colleges, and the Work of Access at DVC February and March invite us to look both backward and forward. Black History Month reminds us that access to education has never been guaranteed. It has been demanded, defended, and built over generations. Community colleges, including Diablo Valley College, are part of that living story—institutions grounded in the belief that opportunity should not depend on zip code, income, or circumstance. The history we reflect on in February and March is not abstract. It shows up on our campus in real and measurable ways From Student Activism to Student Voice When students in Greensboro sat at a segregated lunch counter on February 1, 1960, they demonstrated that students are not passive participants in history. They are authors of it. At DVC today, that same spirit is visible in programs like Umoja. This spring’s Umoja Transfer Panel , held in honor of Black History Month, featured former Umoja students who have successfully transferred and are now completing degrees or graduate programs  . Their stories are more than inspiration. They are proof that structured support, culturally responsive mentorship, and intentional community change outcomes. Your support makes that possible. Programs like Umoja do not simply celebrate history—they extend it. From Reconstruction to Public Education for All The Reconstruction Acts of March 1867 laid the groundwork for public education systems in the South. They reinforced the principle that education is a public good, worthy of public investment. Community colleges were built on that same foundation. At DVC, that commitment is visible in the ways we invest in faculty mentorship and applied learning. Through Foundation-supported initiatives like Project-Based Learning, faculty advisors guide students through structured, real-world projects with supervision and accountability built into the experience  . This is access with intention. It is not enough for doors to be open. Students must also be supported once they walk through them. Preserving and Expanding the Historical Record Black history is not only something to commemorate. It is something to document and preserve. This year, the DVC Library invited students and employees to engage with exhibits highlighting local Black history and civil rights movements, artwork from the African Diaspora, and curated book collections  . The Black History Month Wikipedia Edit-A-Thon offered a hands-on way to improve the public historical record and ensure stories are accurately represented. This matters. The work of equity includes whose stories are told—and who tells them. Why This Work Must Continue to Grow Community colleges were created to expand access. But access alone does not guarantee equity. It requires ongoing investment in transfer pathways, mentorship, culturally grounded programs, and experiential learning. When donors support the DVC Foundation, they are not simply funding events or programs. They are strengthening systems that increase transfer rates, build belonging, and prepare students for leadership beyond our campus. They are helping ensure that the legacy of Black educational advancement continues not just in February, but year-round. The milestones of February and March remind us that educational progress has always required courage and commitment. At DVC, that commitment is visible in Umoja panels, library exhibits, faculty mentorship, and the steady work of access. And with continued partnership from our community, that work will grow. Because history is not only something we remember. It is something we build—together. < Previous Next >

Projects Zero Carbon World This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Read More Desert Wildlife Conservation This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Read More Renewable Energy Program This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Read More Rainforest Action Initiative This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Read More