2026 Grantee Spotlight: Northern California College Promise Coalition
Since its inception in November 2019, the Northern California College Promise Coalition (NCCPC) has gained momentum as a cradle-to-career regional coalition organization — changing policies, systems, and practices to increase access to higher education and career opportunities for low-income, first-generation, and multiply marginalized students throughout California.
We recently connected with Kendra Harris, CEO of NCCPC, to learn more about their important work across the state and how they utilize the power of their wide network to make an impact for students.
Now, uniting more than 70 organizations across 13-counties, the collective impact hub has a broad regional footprint — bigger than some states across the country. The coalition currently impacts more than 350,000 students regionally, with systems-level influence reaching over one million students statewide.
The CEO of College Promise and Advisory Council Member Dr. Martha Canto likes to say that “there is no other coalition like NCCPC in the country, let alone in California.” It is the only network that has every stakeholder at the table, from place-based programs tackling basic needs and college access to advocacy organizations that are advocating for equitable K-12, higher education, and workforce policies.
In 2024–2025, NCCPC strengthened its role as a policy leader, convener, and systems builder — expanding advocacy efforts, scaling program delivery, and advancing long-term sustainability.
“Not only were we able to serve more students in the last few years, growing 20% from 250,000 in 2022 to more than 300,000 in 2025, and NCCPC expanded our membership base from 45 to more than 70 organizations,” shared Kendra. “With this increase, NCCPC was able to advance policy that supports financial aid protections for over 1 million Pell-eligible and Dream Act students statewide.”
Despite significant federal and state shifts, NCCPC strengthened its policy leadership and gained national visibility through presentations on scholarship displacement reform via AB 288 and AB 3240. By partnering with practitioners, policymakers, and community stakeholders NCCPC released an updated Three-Year Policy Agenda focused on financial aid reform, student data protection, racial equity, and early wealth-building (Child Savings Accounts).
“Our advocacy is translating into structural policy wins that protect aid, expand access, and reduce systemic barriers,” shared Kendra. “We’re strengthening student safety and trust, protecting access to basic needs support, and further protections for Dream Act applicants and gender-inclusive data practices.”
In addition, NCCPC designs toolkits on various educational topics that they then bring and present at convenings to pilot regional solutions. “Our toolkits are designed and scaled to operationalize policy into on-the-ground implementation," shared Kendra. “From our Child Savings Account Toolkit and Scholarship Displacement ‘Know Your Rights’ Guides to our College Financial Literacy Toolkit — they’re being used by more than 300 practitioners across 13 counties to navigate higher education pathways, reduce inequities, and expand opportunities.”
Kendra credits Sobrato Philanthropies with helping NCCPC start and implement its Regional Emergency Microgrants Program. The small grants funding program is designed to be a financial safety net for students affected by unforeseen financial challenges. Whether it’s the threat of housing insecurity or an urgent, unexpected expense, these microgrants, capped at $500, serve as a critical stopgap to keep students’ educational journeys on track. “Thanks to the support of Sobrato Philanthropies and Capital Group, NCCPC has successfully distributed a total of $90,500 in emergency microgrants to 215 students across our 13-county footprint,” shared Meredith Curry Nuñez, Consultant for NCCPC.
NCCPC continues to strengthen alignment across education systems, public agencies, community organizations, and philanthropy. “The coalition-led coordination has already identified service gaps like emergency housing for students, expanded program coverage to underserved regions, and increased efficiency through shared resources and data,” shared Kendra. “Together, we are changing outcomes for hundreds of thousands of students across California.”
For more information about NCCPC’s collaborative work to leverage policy and advocacy, coalition building, and narrative change that centers students, visit norcalpromisecoalition.org.