Spring/Summer 2010
Despite cuts to its core state funds, MESA continues to produce a phenomenal return on the state's investment. In 2009-10 MESA used its $6.41 million from the state to leverage an additional $1.94 million—that's an additional 30 percent in revenues. These contributions come from companies, foundations, and other state and federal sources including AT&T, the Bayer Foundation, PG&E, Lockheed Martin and Verizon.
This funding was made possible only because the program's core infrastructure is set in place through the state funds. Corporate and foundation monies are usually earmarked to fund only narrow and specific activities, so state funds are used to fund the vital infrastructure expenses such as staff salaries, rent, supplies and equipment.
During a period when state funding has been increasingly cut, the ability to garner this independent support is crucial.
Individual MESA centers also are able to leverage significant amounts of money to supplement the cuts in funding experienced during the last years. (In 2009-10 MESA's community college program was cut by 38 -percent. Since 2002-2003 MESA's funds that affect pre-college and university level programs were cut by 55 percent.) In many cases, donors are more inclined to fund local projects rather than contribute to statewide efforts.
For instance, East Los Angeles College, which has a MESA program, recently was awarded $2.1 million and $2.4 million from the US Department of Education through the College Cost Reduction and Access and the Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Programs, respectively. The money is used for all students who plan to transfer to a four-year university in a science, technology, engineering or math majors—most of whom are MESA students.
"MESA provides the infrastructure and academic resources that attract outside funds to many campuses," said Oscar Porter, MESA Executive Director. "MESA helps leverage money for campuses."
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