Our Belief and Our Commitment
Last week, our Board of Directors approved the foundation’s position statement and corresponding commitments on racial and social justice in light of the senseless killing of African-Americans and the critical need for reform. Please read more here about where we stand.
Recent COVID-19 Support
In early-April, the foundation was able to greenlight several funding streams to support those impacted by the Coronavirus. By partnering with Alliant International University and its California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP), the foundation approved funding to help support clinical psychologists-in-training in their shift to providing mental health via “tele-health”…a necessary shift to online and telephone support. In both the Bay Area and San Diego, this initiative bolsters a safer model for CSPP students to provide mental health support in partnership with local and regional non-profits to clients seeking assistance in light of the pandemic.
In a separate funding decision, the foundation approved support for a new research study into the stressors associated with the pandemic. Specifically, the aim of the research is to better understand the risk and resilience factors for psychological distress during the COVID-19 or similar pandemics with shelter-in-place orders.
New Innovation Seed Grants
In addition to the seven initiatives currently being funded by AEF through $55K in innovation/seed grant funding to better serve the Alliant and research communities, we’ve just approved a new round of funding for 2020 – 2021. Faculty and staff from five of the six California campuses submitted 17 new proposals as part of our year-two continuation of the innovation/seed grant program. Seven proposals were selected to begin this summer and fall totaling just over $58K.
Scholarships for Students
In March, the Alliant Ed Foundation launched the 2020 – 2021 competitive scholarship window for Alliant student applications. This annual round of funding is made possible, in large part, by the generosity of more than 50 donor-restricted scholarship funds aimed at helping Alliant students across all six California campuses. A total of $100,000 in tuition assistance will be made available for this coming year with funding decisions to be announced in the summer.
Mental Health Consortium
Working closely with Alliant’s California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP), the foundation is building new bridges in support of children’s mental health. To date, we’ve identified ten San Diego-based non-profit organizations who work with underserved infants, children, and young adults. By placing CSPP clinical psychology graduate students at some of these agencies next year, we will bolster their ability to provide high-quality mental health support to some of the populations who most desperately need it. The foundation is also paying for clinical supervision by licensed psychologists to enable this new program to flourish.
“Just Mercy” Discussion Sponsorship
In June, the foundation was proud to sponsor the Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego’s timely and relevant discussion with “Just Mercy” executive producer Scott Budnick. After viewing the film about Bryan Stevenson’s social justice work as a young lawyer in Alabama, the audience engaged in a discussion about leadership and meaningful impact. If you’d like to watch the session, please view it here.
Our Newest Annual Report
In case you missed the April release of our 2019 annual report, please check it out here to learn more about the foundation, our wonderful supporters, and how we are accomplishing our mission.
Welcome to Mary Oling-Sisay, the Foundation’s Newest Board Member
Please help us in offering a warm welcome to the foundation’s newly-elected member of our board of directors, Mary Oling-Sisay. Mary serves as Vice Provost for Academic Affairs & Dean of Undergraduate and Graduate Studies at Humboldt State University, and previously served as Senior Vice President for Development & Inclusive Excellence and Dean California School of Education at Alliant International University. Mary has been a strong supporter of the work of the Alliant Ed Foundation and our board was proud to elect her to serve a three-year term on May 14th.