Foundation History

A look back and an eye to the future — that’s what the Foundation stands for.

The Copper Mountain College Foundation’s history starts with a humble beginning in the local community and ends up reaching the White House. It’s a story about supporting students and the community, and one that continues to this day.

History of the Foundation

Friends of Copper Mountain College

It started with the sale of a quilt in 1981.

At the time, CMC was part of the College of the Desert; however, that would all change soon. The Friends of Copper Mountain College began raising money to pay for the construction of a new campus.

Before long, groups such as the local Rotary Clubs came with large contributions, allowing them to begin the first phase of the new Copper Mountain campus. Then-President Ronald Reagan was so impressed by this self-help initiative that he awarded the Friends his Volunteer Action Award in 1984.

With the President’s help and the continued donations and assistance from the local community, the Friends earned enough to continue the expansion of the campus.

These funds provided landscaping, expansion of the parking lot with energy-efficient lighting, construction of a warehouse, books, periodicals, and media equipment for the new Greenleaf Library.

Creating the Copper Mountain Community College District

In 1984, State Senator James Brulte learned of Copper Mountain wanting to achieve a community college status. So, in that year, he introduced the Copper Mountain College District legislation so CMC could create its own district.

In 1999 the Morongo Basin residents voted for Senator Brulte’s legislation, passing with a 90% vote. The Copper Mountain Campus officially separated from College of the Desert, Palm Desert, and formed the new Copper Mountain Community College District.

By June 2001, CMC obtained its own accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. During that time, Friends of Copper Mountain College officially changed their name to the Copper Mountain College Foundation, ushering in the current era.

CMCF: Meeting Students Needs Today and Beyond

Today, the Foundation continues to develop its mission of expanding educational opportunities in the Morongo Basin by supporting the programs, activities, and facilities of Copper Mountain College.

They’re able to do this by developing several programs that help students focus on their education. The CMCF funds programs that provide critical equipment like protective personal equipment (PPE) for firefighters, school incentives, and meets students’ every need.

The CMCF plans to continue helping students and the community with everything from their basic needs to achieving their educational goals.