Endless Possibilities to Help East County Colleges

As state funding for community colleges continues to decline, the foundation serving Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges is turning to private and corporate donors to contribute toward programs that will benefit students at the two East County institutions.

The Foundation for Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges recently established the Possibilities Roundtable to raise money that will be used to improve or add programs serving students, ranging from new computers to tutoring services. The foundation is seeking 100 charter members -- donors who pledge to contribute between $1,200 and $10,000 a year – by June 30.

The need for private donors to support college and district programs has become more crucial as California’s budget woes worsen. The district, which receives more than 90 percent of its revenue from the state, has seen its funding reduced by more than $10 million in the past three years, and faces an additional $4.2 million cut in its 2012-12 budget if a tax increase is not approved by voters in November.

“We can no longer rely solely on the state of California to provide funding for the programs our students so desperately need,” said Cindy L. Miles, chancellor of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District.

Donor members of the Possibilities Roundtable may allow their money to be used for district programs, or they may specify that their contributions be directed toward either Grossmont or Cuyamaca College.

“The money raised will be allocated by college presidents and the foundation board toward programs that directly benefit student learning,” said Glenn Kaufhold, chief executive officer of the foundation. “It gives them the financial flexibility to confront the challenges and opportunities that arise.”

Members of the Possibilities Roundtable will be recognized at the campuses and in district and foundation print and electronic publications. They will also receive an invitation to an annual Leadership Conversation hosted by Miles and the presidents of Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges, and will receive a quarterly electronic briefing from the foundation.

Three levels of support are being offered:

• The Scholar’s Circle, at $1,200 to $2,499 annually
• The President’s Circle, at $2,500 to $4,999 annually. President’s Circle members are also invited to special donor events at select campus cultural activities.
• The Chancellor’s Circle, at $5,000-$10,000 annually. Chancellor’s Circle members are invited to special donor events at select campus cultural activities, as well as a special donor dinner hosted by the chancellor and president of the district Governing Board.

For more information or to make a donation, call (619) 644-7109 or online at www.foundation.gcccd.edu