California College of the Arts raises nearly $45 million creating a strong pathway for future growth
Major gift from technology luminaries powers CCA’s fundraising success
San Francisco, CA—February 14, 2025—California College of the Arts (CCA) announced today that it has successfully raised nearly $45 million in contributions from numerous individuals and entities committed to arts education, including the entire CCA Board of Trustees, former trustees and CCA alumni, and members of the San Francisco arts, culture, and technology communities. The new donor group was anchored by a substantial matching gift of $22.5 million from the Jen-Hsun and Lori Huang Foundation. These funds will bridge the college into the next fiscal year, address its current deficit, and position the college both to continue its strong fundraising work and pursue its path to long-term sustainability.
“This extraordinary milestone demonstrates the vital role CCA plays in nurturing creative talent and innovation,” said David C. Howse, President of California College of the Arts. “This would not be possible without the remarkable support from the Jen-Hsun and Lori Huang Foundation, which saw an opportunity both to support CCA in this time of need and also to challenge others to rise to the moment. We are incredibly grateful for their support, and for the support of the more than 50 major donors who have supported us. With this renewed financial foundation, we are positioned to continue the work to transform our academic offerings and ensure CCA remains a leader in art and design education for generations to come.”
“The Jen-Hsun and Lori Huang Foundation recognizes the essential intersection of technology, art, and design in driving innovation. Our investment in CCA reflects our commitment to supporting institutions that cultivate the creative leaders of tomorrow, and that do so in the Bay Area, which continues to be recognized around the world for its creativity in so many different sectors,” said Eric Jensen, Chief Operating Officer at the Jen-Hsun and Lori Huang Foundation.
This successful fundraising initiative follows the college’s announcement last summer that it faced significant financial hurdles, including years of declining enrollment—exacerbated by the pandemic, and by a “demographic cliff” that has affected enrollment for hundreds of private colleges and universities across the country. To address these challenges, the college implemented cost-saving measures, such as layoffs, to rightsize its operations and revised its programs to better meet its operating revenue. It also launched a full academic portfolio review process to strengthen its educational offerings and market position, and began to explore further strategic partnerships as another source of long-term stability. For those interested in contributing to the college, visit cca.edu/giving.
“I am pleased to say that CCA is actively welcoming new students as we build on the momentum of this exciting fundraising success. This transformative support from our community does more than safeguard us against our structural deficit—it allows us to build on the great strengths of this college, providing us with opportunities to grow, launch new programs, and deepen our impact on San Francisco's art and cultural ecosystem. Our future depends on partnerships—philanthropy, industry, and community collaboration—to position CCA as a leader at the intersection of art, design, diversity, and technology,” said Howse. “One thing is clear—there is a deep commitment to art and design education, and a commitment to support the thriving arts and culture community in the Bay Area. CCA is an integral part of this.”
About California College of the Arts
Founded in 1907, California College of the Arts (CCA) educates students to shape culture and society through art, architecture, design, and writing. The college offers a rich curriculum of 22 undergraduate and 10 graduate programs taught by a faculty of expert practitioners. Located in the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area, CCA uniquely prepares students for lifelong creative work by fostering social and environmental responsibility, innovation, and community engagement. Graduates are highly sought-after by companies such as Pixar, Apple, IDEO, and Google, and many go on to launch their own successful businesses.
CCA’s newly expanded campus adds 82,300 square feet of space to teach, make, and present art in a continuous indoor-outdoor environment. Designed by world-renowned architecture firm Studio Gang, the new addition, completed this fall 2024, brings together 30 academic programs and disciplines, student housing and dining, and interdisciplinary learning.