We are pleased to announce the 2024 Student Basic Needs Spark Grantees! California Competes: Higher Education for a Strong Economy, the Real College California Coalition, and Swipe Out Hunger will advance systemic solutions to address students’ most urgent needs. As higher education becomes increasingly financially burdensome, it’s crucial that we focus on helping students meet their basic needs.

“The three grantees will create lasting change by tackling food and housing insecurity at a systemic level,” said Dr. Queena Hoang, Senior Program Manager for Student Basic Needs. “By addressing basic needs, they will improve student success, retention, and graduation rates. We are proud to support their efforts to ensure every student has the resources they need to thrive.”

California Competes will break down barriers that prevent eligible students from accessing public benefits, such as CalFresh and Medi-Cal. Building on their ongoing work, the first stage of the “Linking Benefits and Data to Support the Whole Student” project will focus on researching available benefits programs and ways to leverage the Cradle-to-Career Data System to streamline benefits access. These efforts will set the foundation for California Competes to establish a basic needs coalition. By focusing on holistic integration across systems and coalition-driven advocacy, their project will enhance student success while helping low-income and underserved students. With a strong emphasis on collaboration, the project will engage key stakeholders from higher education, public benefits, and community organizations to create a sustainable, student-centered model. 

The Real College California Coalition (RCCC) will continue the Real College California Survey on the Real Experience of College Students in March. Conducted every two years, the 2023 survey was the largest national study on student basic needs. The survey assesses food and housing insecurities, as well as homelessness among California Community College (CCC) students. This year, RCC aims to increase college participation and student responses. Additionally, they will provide real-time data dashboards, customizable engagement tools, and professional development resources to colleges. Once the data has been collected, survey results will improve programs and help CCCs advocate for more investment in basic needs services. The survey will be made possible by RCCC teaming up with the CEO Affordability, Food, and Housing Access Taskforce (AFHAT) and the RP Group.

Swipe Out Hunger works with over 860 campuses nationwide on food insecurity. In their network, they’ve found international students represent 14% of food pantry users. Nationally, international students make up 6% of higher education students, with California hosting the largest number. Due to their ineligibility for state or federal benefits, international students often rely on on-campus resources including food pantries. Recognizing this, Swipe Out Hunger will develop a toolkit and virtual training providing actionable solutions for campuses to better serve these students. By sharing best practices and successful strategies, the project will create a sustainable model for supporting international students across campuses. 

“California Competes, the Real College California Coalition, and Swipe Out Hunger are leading the way in creating lasting change for students across the state and beyond,” Dr. Hoang reflected. With a focus on collaboration, data-driven solutions, and inclusive support, these efforts will enhance student success while contributing to a more equitable and sustainable future. We look forward to sharing more in the year ahead!

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About Michelson 20MM

Michelson 20MM is a private, nonprofit foundation working toward equity for underserved and historically underrepresented communities by expanding access to educational and employment opportunities, increasing affordability of educational programs, and ensuring the necessary supports are in place for individuals to thrive. To do so, we work in the following verticals: Digital Equity, Intellectual Property, Smart Justice, Student Basic Needs, and Open Educational Resources (OER). Co-chaired and funded by Alya and Gary Michelson, Michelson 20MM is part of the Michelson Philanthropies network of foundations.

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