Reflecting On ECMC Foundation’s First Five Years and the Journey Ahead
April 30, 2019
By Peter J. Taylor, ECMC Foundation
Five years ago, walking through the doors of ECMC Foundation with no program staff and a nearly empty office with few furnishings, I could never have imagined where we would be today.
In just a few years, the Foundation has found its niche in postsecondary education and philanthropy, made strides in grant funding and investments across the country, and impacted the lives of students, educators, administrators and others.
Our story, however, began long before we opened our headquarters in Los Angeles. For more than ten years, ECMC Foundation existed as a scholarship organization, supporting students from low-income, first-generation, marginalized backgrounds.
Recognizing that challenges within the postsecondary education system often act as barriers to the success of these students, the Board of Directors made the decision to transition to a strategic grantmaking organization. They believed that investing in programs and institutions, rather than individual students, would allow us to tackle systemic challenges and impact the lives of thousands of more students each year.
A Snapshot of Our Accomplishments
None of this would be possible without our grantees, partners and our colleagues across ECMC Group. We are grateful for everyone’s support and dedication in making our mission possible. Here is a snapshot of our accomplishments:
We Invite You Celebrate With Us
Over the next several weeks, we will be sharing stories and reflections to celebrate our five years of philanthropy. We invite you to join the conversation across Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn using #ECMCF5Years. Here is a social media kit with ready-made messages and graphics.
The Journey Ahead
While we celebrate this early milestone, humbly, we recognize that the work is long from over. Until all students are able to equitably pursue the educational and career pathways of their choice, the ECMC Foundation team will remain committed to our mission, and dedicated to supporting our grantees and partners.
Best,
Peter J. Taylor