Due to the instability of state funding, California's community colleges have turned to the foundation as a source of alternative fundraising and resource development. To gather data on the foundations in place at California community colleges, a survey was conducted of 50 foundation directors, focusing on how their foundations raised money, what…

Due to the increase in the number of institutions asking for donations from businesses and individuals, community colleges seeking to raise funds must be responsive to the needs of their local business communities. In conducting major fundraising campaigns, its is important that potential donors believe that the need is crucial and have the…

Once a community college foundation is well established, an alumni program can be developed, although the focus should be on making contacts and gaining supporters rather than raising funds. The following steps can help establish a successful alumni program: (1) conduct a feasibility study on campus; (2) form a committee to establish program…

Since most private and public sources of external funding generally expect increased effort and accountability, Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) at two-year colleges must inform faculty and staff that if they do not expend extra effort their college will not receive significant grants. The CEO must also work with the college's professional…

Good relationships between community colleges and the businesses in their communities can lend company expertise to college programs and increase corporate contributions to the college's foundation. A business roundtable, which establishes a solid relationship between corporate sponsors and the college and focuses on an important current topic, is…

This series of brief two-page essays is published quarterly by the Network of California Community College Foundations to address topics related to development activities typically conducted by educational foundations. Volume 1 includes "Your Message is as Clear as Your Mission Statement," by Pat Rasmussen and James M. Anderson, which suggests…