Dear AVÀÇ community,
It is truly a joyful holiday season as we celebrate the remarkable generosity of MacKenzie Scott and her record-breaking $50 million one-time, unrestricted cash gift to the AVÀÇ Educational Foundation. As Vice President for University Advancement, Evelyn Buchanan explained in her announcement this morning, we were chosen for our multi-year record of impact, measurable outcomes, financial stewardship, and values-aligned leadership, all grounded in our shared purpose and values.
Ms. Scott is a selfless philanthropist whose underlying philosophy recognizes good work and provides organizations with the means to sustain and grow their impact without the need for grant proposals or annual reports. It is an act of tremendous trust and one I do not take lightly. I am incredibly grateful to Ms. Scott and her philanthropic foundation for recognizing our commitment to student success and for having confidence in us as we move forward into a bright future.
We should all take pride in the collective effort over the past few years that has strengthened how we tell our story — proudly anchored in the vibrancy of the East Bay region — and focused intently on our students, their dedication and dreams for the future. There is no doubt that AVÀÇ has succeeded in elevating its visibility and reputation in a relatively short time. I am proud of all we have achieved and am certain we will maintain our positive momentum. Again, thank you.
A transformational gift of this size provides our university with the unique opportunity to build capacity for the future by increasing our endowment, ensuring an ongoing revenue stream from earnings that will support the university and our mission into perpetuity. In the coming new year, we will share the framework for how this gift will be used and provide opportunities for your input and ideas as we work through the process.
For now, it is a time for celebration and a collective “pat on the back” for a job well done! Again, I thank each and every one of you for your commitment to our work and the students we proudly serve.
Most sincerely yours,
Cathy Sandeen
President
December 4, 2025