Virginia’s community colleges deserve high marks for imaginative fund-raising events. The usual banquets are always in fashion, of course, but our college foundations also host a variety of other happenings, ranging from casino nights to golf and even pickleball tournaments, to celebrations of classic horse races. Spring and fall are prime time for these occasions and we thought you’d enjoy seeing some highlights from around the state.
Blue Ridge Community College:
BRCC Educational Foundation’s Casino Royale event on April 14, 2023 was a huge success, raising more than $73,000 to support scholarships awarded to deserving students, grant funding for innovative programs, advanced technology in the classrooms, and a variety of other initiatives to enhance educational opportunities. All the “gambling” was on the up-and-up; attendees enjoyed learning how to play poker, roulette, craps, and blackjack, using “funny money”…all in support of BRCC.
Danville Community College:
DCC’s 3rd Annual “Suds, Swine, Sippin’ & Song” event was a resounding success, providing a new venue and memorable experience for attendees, and raising essential funds that benefit the Danville Community College Educational Foundation. The event was sold out with more than 200 in attendance and more than $45,000 in sponsorships, making the 2023 fund-raiser the most successful to-date.
Germanna Community College:
Germanna Community College’s fourth annual “Give Day” raised more than $140,000 in just 17 hours on Oct. 5. “Once again illustrated the generosity of the communities the college serves,” said Germanna’s Special Assistant to the President for Institution Advancement Bruce Davis. He said 156 individual gifts raised $143,789 over the course of the day. “One hundred percent goes to student tuition gap funding and emergency expenses.”
Laurel Ridge Community College:
The Laurel Ridge Foundation hosted a Party in the Garden fundraiser September 14 at the college’s new Luray-Page County Center, which is owned by LRCC’s educational foundation and leased to the college. The event was sold out!
Mountain Gateway Community College:
After a four-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Mountain Gateway was excited to host its “Bubbles, Bands and Brunch” on October 8. Since 2003, “Bubbles” has raised more than $80,000 in scholarships for continuing students at MGCC. This year’s theme was “Stampede!” and many attendees dressed accordingly in Western attire.
New River Community College:
The New River Community College Educational Foundation hosted a pickleball tournament Oct. 21 to support Access to Community College Education (ACCE) at NRCC for students from the city of Radford. ACCE is an economic development public/private partnership that makes college available debt-free to high school and home-schooled graduates by funding NRCC tuition for two years.
Rappahannock Community College:
The 19th Annual Preakness Party, sponsored by Rappahannock Community College’s Educational Foundation was held May 20 in Deltaville, VA. RCC’s signature fundraising event is conducted each year in a different location in the college’s service region and highlights local eateries and wineries. With 350 guests, this year’s party netted more than $107,000 to support the RCC Educational Foundation and its scholarship program, marking the biggest success in the 19-year history of the event.
Southwest Virginia Community College:
The Southwest Virginia Community College Educational Foundation hosted its 31st Annual Scholarship Golf Classic on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at the Tazewell County Country Club. Thanks to generous sponsors and players, more than $20,000 was raised this year to support students at the college, helping them offset tuition fees and essential costs like books and class materials. The tournament this year was played in honor of Ginger Robertson, a charter member of the committee that initiated the Golf Classic three decades ago.
Tidewater Community College:
Tidewater Community College’s “TCC Proud” faculty and staff giving campaign is picking up steam! For the second year in a row, participation grew, by four percent. And the amount given grew 16 percent. Faculty and staff gave through one-time donations and payroll deductions. To celebrate, the TCC family enjoyed a baseball game at Harbor Park watching the Norfolk Tides.
Virginia Highlands Community College:
On Friday, October 13, 2023, the Virginia Highlands Community College Educational Foundation hosted its 15th Annual Golf Tournament for Student Scholarships at the Glenrochie Country Club in Abingdon, Virginia. Thanks to all the generous sponsors, players, and community businesses that helped, the foundation raised $30,000 this year for student scholarships to offset tuition fees and other costs like books and class materials for VHCC students.
Virginia Peninsula Community College:
Virginia Peninsula Community College’s 2nd Annual Community Day 5K took place Saturday, Oct. 21 at scenic Matteson Trail in Hampton. The fundraising effort netted $14,196 (sponsorships and entry fees) and attracted 128 participants. Proceeds will help VPCC’s Educational Foundation continue funding some of the College’s most pressing needs, such as student emergencies, technology upgrades, student enrollment and retention initiatives, athletics support, and the growth of academic programs.
Wytheville Community College:
Wytheville Community College held its Ninth Annual Dr. Thomas L. Barnes Veteran Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament on Oct. 6 at the Wytheville Golf Club. The event is hosted jointly by the WCC Educational Foundation and the Appalachian Warrior Foundation. The Barnes scholarship provides educational opportunities for veterans and children of veterans who are attending WCC. Dr. Barnes passed in 2019.
