The Oakland Community College Foundation assists students facing financial crisis by providing emergency aid to persevere and achieve self-sufficiency through OCC’s high-quality certificate and degree programs. Each year, numerous scholarships are made available at OCC through private contributions. OCC-SOS is the college’s web-based scholarship application system through AcademicWorks. While still focused on student scholarships, over time the foundation has taken new directions in response to community needs. Support has expanded to include academic programs, special projects, and campus facilities, touching every aspect of OCC’s work. Donations to the OCC Foundation help to create opportunities that empower students to achieve their hopes and dreams through an excellent education. OCC’s role as both the starting point for attaining a four-year degree and the path to immediate employment means support has a lasting effect, allowing local employers sustain and grow their businesses with a skilled workforce.