America's community colleges are a key link in the chain of upward mobility, and they need more support than they're getting. This is an obvious statement for many in the community-college world, but with the growing challenges facing the system that educates almost half of the nation's undergraduates, the author contends that there is need to…

President Obama wants it. Billionaire business mogul turned philanthropist Bill Gates and his wife, Melinda, say it's key to the nation's economic future. But are America's colleges really poised to regain the world lead in college graduates by 2020? Doing so would require adding an additional 5 million graduates during the next decade--a lofty…

Philanthropy has shaped American higher education from inception. While religion earns the biggest slice of philanthropy, education runs second and well ahead of other causes. Most community college donations are earmarked for scholarships. Foundation dollars can be used strategically to meet the needs of students who cannot qualify for federal…

The Concurrent Courses Initiative (CCI), funded by The James Irvine Foundation from 2008 until 2011, comprised eight secondary/postsecondary partnerships across California that offered dual enrollment programs with supplemental student supports. The goal of the CCI was to expand access to supportive, career-focused dual enrollment for students…

This book offers a comprehensive and detailed look at private fundraising in community colleges. In the foreward, Karen A. Stout, President, Montgomery County Community College, describes it as a "must-read" for aspiring and new community college presidents, academic leaders searching for ways to bring in new dollars to support new programs, and…

This article presents an interview with Mary Bitterman and James Narduzzi. Mary Bitterman, former President and CEO of The James Irvine Foundation, is President of The Bernard Osher Foundation and Immediate Past Chairman of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). James Narduzzi is Dean of the University of Richmond's School of Continuing Studies.…

Confronting two unhealthy approaches that surface frequently in philanthropy--the tendency for grantmakers to think they alone have all the answers and the tensions that arise when national and local funders try to work together--this case study is intended to help grantmakers think more deeply about the concept of "engaged partners," one of…

As public community colleges continue to face constrained budgets and restricted state support, they must maximize their pursuit of philanthropic support and the performance of the foundations established at their institutions for this purpose. In a recent study, community college resource development professionals nationwide were surveyed…

Community colleges now depend on fundraising to fill a growing gap between institutional needs and financial support from tuition and government taxes. As a result, fundraising has become a critical component of fiscal leadership. This chapter describes emerging ways in which fundraising is being viewed and organized in the community college.

In the first decade of the 21st century, the nation, the states, and colleges and universities began to grapple with the challenges of globalization, changing demography, the implications of the digital era, and of a less expansive public sector. Although not a transformative period for higher education, the decade saw significant innovations in…

This qualitative report examines a successful public university program funded by the Avon Foundation to provide scholarship and support services to non-traditional female community college transfer students. Female commuter transfer students often manage multiple roles of parent, student, and employee while attending college. This article…

The primary purpose of "National CrossTalk" is to stimulate informed discussion and debate of higher education issues. This issue contains the following articles: (1) Virginia Tries Restructuring: Financial Stress Leads to New Arrangements between State and Campuses (Robert A. Jones); (2) Georgia's Odd Couple: Can Two Foundations Share a…

This bulletin is divided into four parts. Part I contains lists of institutions accredited by State universities. Part II contains lists of institutions accredited by State departments of education. Part III contains lists of recognized or approved colleges prepared by the influential voluntary organizations of secondary and higher institutions…

The primary focus of this research report is on university-based degree programs that prepare individuals for leadership positions in community colleges. Issues related to the preparation and development of faculty are also an important component of the personnel challenges facing community colleges. To bring greater focus to this discussion, the…

Community colleges are increasingly turning to fund raising to replace declining federal and state appropriations. This paper provides a review of the higher education literature related to community college fund raising. The review examines the history of public and private financial support of community colleges, describes the differences…