The Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation (MCCF), the fundraising arm of Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD), is pleased to announce that its multiyear Campaign for Student Success exceeded its goal of $50 million by raising $50,678,167. Over 5,000 donors, including individuals, corporations, and foundations gave to the campaign.

Launched in 2011, the Campaign was developed to support student success in three areas: direct support of students; faculty and staff innovation, creativity and excellence; and assisting community partnerships with expanding opportunities for MCCCD students.

“As public funding for higher education wanes, our priority has been to unite contributions of time, money, energy, and enthusiasm in support of The Foundation in new and exciting ways,” said Christina Schultz, MCCF President and Chief Executive Officer. “Reaching our Campaign goal has shown that the dedication and creativity of our Board of Directors, donors, Development Officers, College Presidents, staff, and volunteers has had an impact in helping all 10 Maricopa County Community Colleges become a more important force in our community, creating a lasting impact on the lives of 200,000 students annually.”

The largest contributions to the Campaign of $1 million or more include gifts from Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, Helios Education Foundation, The Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation and Doug and Becky Pruitt

Many of the Valley’s leading businesses and charitable organizations also contributed to the Campaign, including the following: Salt River Project, Arizona Public Service, The Arizona Republic, Merchants Information Solutions, Inc., Ryley, Carlock & Applewhite, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Wells Fargo, State Farm

Investment opportunities for all 10 Maricopa County Community Colleges were outlined at the onset of the Campaign. The generous donations were provided for the following:

Chandler-Gilbert Community College:  Four new A160 helicopter engines from The Boeing Company for the CGCC Aviation Program

Estrella Mountain Community College: EXCEL program to advance student success as part of a Helios Education Foundation grant

Gateway Community College: $100,000 Ken Kendrick Grand Slam Award from the Arizona Diamondbacks to expand service of the Healthcare United at Gateway (HUG) Clinic via a Mobile HUG Clinic

Glendale Community College: $100,000 from Sands Chevrolet and $50,000 from the AZ Ford Dealers to the Dr. Phillip D. Randolph Automotive Center

Mesa Community College: $1 million Performing Arts Center endowment funded by Dr. Ruth Tan Lim, M.D., M.D.

Paradise Valley Community College:  Multiple scholarship endowments

Phoenix College:   Shaping the Future of Art, including the Eric Fischl Scholars Program funded by multiple donors

Rio Salado College: Awarded a $575,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support a Student Success and Scaling Initiative Planning Grant

Scottsdale Community College: Multiple gifts to the Indigenous Scholars Institute

South Mountain Community College: Multiple scholarship endowments

 “This Campaign has not only helped us serve students during the Campaign, it has helped grow the endowment base of the Foundation,” commented MCCF Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Mary O’Connor.  “We will be able to serve even more students in the years to come.”