Gifts to the Cuesta Fund provide the Foundation with flexible dollars to spend on the college’s top priorities. This year, the Cuesta Fund provided more than $150,000 in funding to support 26 grants, which included equipment and technology upgrades, student success and retention activities, outreach and recruitment programming, and more. The Cuesta Fund also provided emergency grant funding to support students’ basic needs. When you give to the Cuesta Fund, you’re ensuring your dollar goes to where it matters most.

 
Additional highlights include:

RESERVE TEXTBOOKS
Textbooks can cost up to $1,000 per semester, which is not feasible for many students. Therefore, the libraries on both the San Luis Obispo and North County Campuses have textbooks available for students on reserve. With your support, the Foundation is able to assist the libraries in updating their reserve with the most current materials in order to ensure student success.

UNIVERSITY BOUND PROGRAM
The University Bound Program is designed to support students from groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in education as they seek to transfer from Cuesta College to a four-year university. The program was started in Fall 2021 through support from the Cuesta Fund with 63 students in the initial cohort. The Cuesta Fund will continue to support students from the first cohort as they continue in the program as well as aid in establishing a new cohort this fall.

COUGAR CAREER CLOSET
The Cougar Career Closet is located on both the San Luis Obispo and North County Campuses and provides gently used professional clothing for all current students. Access to the Cougar Career Closet ensures that students have professional attire for their interviews and internships, helping them feel confident as they pursue their academic and career goals.

STEM OUTREACH
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Physical Sciences outreach efforts were put on pause. Support from the Cuesta Fund will allow them to purchase new equipment and replace expired materials so they can resume their outreach efforts. These demonstrations take place within the community, at local elementary, middle, and high schools, and on the college’s campus. Historically, STEM education was only provided to those pursuing a career in associated fields. Providing STEM education in an informal and friendly environment through outreach events, makes the area of study feel more accessible to all students.

Questions about the Cuesta Fund or how you can make an impact, please contact the Foundation Office by emailing us at give@cuesta.edu or call us at (805) 546-3279. 

To make a gift now, go to our online page Donate Now or download the Cuesta Fund form and mail in your gift.