Fall 2007
From the Director: Securing Private Support While Building Partnerships
The importance of securing private support for community colleges is growing.
I enjoyed fundraising as the president of Berkshire Community College. Every meeting with a donor, like every presentation to the chamber of commerce, was a chance to share my pride in the college’s contribution to improving students’ lives. As I was building financial support for the college’s mission, I was connecting to other community leaders, not just as donors, but as partners in improving economic opportunity and enhancing our quality of life.
At the Institute for Community College Development we recognize the need for professional education in resource development. Many presidents come to their positions without significant fundraising experience. Their boards may not be accustomed to a leadership role in fundraising for the college, and their organizations may not yet have the infrastructure to support comprehensive development activities. Our goal is to work with experts to prepare community college leaders for success in private fundraising. Brenda Babitz’s book Growing Giving is a valuable resource for these leaders.*
If you'd like to share your thoughts on private funding for community colleges, please email me.
Barbara Viniar, Ed.D.
Executive Director
* From Dr. Viniar's sidebar in Brenda Babitz’s new book “Growing Giving”: A Guide to Securing Private Support for Your Community College
Other articles in the Fall 2007 edition of Gravitas:
Synopsis of new book "Growing Giving": A Guide to Securing Private Support for Your Community College by Brenda Babitz, President of the Monroe Community College Foundation, Rochester, New York
"Retention and Integration of Community College Students in Distance Learning." Report of research by Tompkins Cortland Community College, Dryden, New York, for ICCD's Applied Research Grant Program
ICCD offers November 2007 conference on Growing Giving: Securing Private Support for Your Community College
