The CCC Foundation is working to better understand the workforce needs of the community, how these job needs align with programs CCC provides, and how the Foundation can raise money for scholarships to help students receive the education and training needed for these jobs.

Since its establishment, in 1960, the mission of the Foundation has been to support CCC students on the pathway to education by fundraising and providing scholarships. During the winter of 2019, the CCC Foundation Board was greatly impacted by the request from the college to help provide blankets to students living in cars. From the 2019 #RealCollege Survey Report provided by The Hope Center, housing and/or food insecurities significantly impact 63% of CCC student respondents. This stark reality, combined with the emergency student needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the Foundation looking more holistically at what it takes to become a student and graduate with a certificate or degree.

In 2020, the CCC Foundation formalized their mission and belief statements. Although supporting scholarships is still a central focus, the mission has evolved “to inspire and engage the community in support of Clatsop Community College students so they can achieve their goals.” It is the belief of the CCC Foundation “that our entire community benefits when every student has access to the tools and resources they need to help them succeed in school and in life.”