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September 7, 2011 (East County) – A new foundation that will strengthen fundraising for East County’s two community colleges has been established to better connect with alumni and broaden the sources of money coming in to support the schools.
The Foundation for Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges continues the work of the two separate foundations at Grossmont College and Cuyamaca College to raise money for scholarships, facilities and college programs.
Miles noted that the foundation is launching soon after the district completed a three-year campaign that raised more than $850,000 for student scholarships as the result of a challenge issued by the Bernard Osher Foundation. The San Francisco-based foundation challenged California’s 112 community colleges to reach fundraising goals based on enrollment. Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges were among the one-fourth of California’s community colleges that met or exceeded their goals.
Miles said a single foundation can be more strategic in its fundraising and is more economical to staff than separate foundations for Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges. Potential donors also appreciate being approached by one organization representing the college district instead of multiple requests for money from departments or programs at the two colleges.
The new foundation will focus on reconnecting with alumni from Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges and developing campaigns seeking major gifts to the colleges. Although four-year universities often have major endowments, community colleges have traditionally been slower to seek money from graduates and corporate leaders.
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