A study was conducted to identify strategies for obtaining financial support from business and industry for community college vocational programs. The study sample was drawn from colleges which had reported success in securing funds during a 1982 California statewide vocational education study. Critical incident data collected during telephone interviews with college personnel and company representatives were analyzed to identify strategies which result in successful solicitation of funds from business and industry. Study findings included the following: (1) most support for college programs resulted from long-term relationships with the donor business or industry; (2) successful colleges carefully chose community advisory committee members who would be in the best position to aid the program and provide an informal network of communication with local businesses; (3) successful programs were characterized by an active faculty who were eager to work with business and industry, local and statewide publicity efforts, and a "pro-business" attitude; (4) proper recognition of donors, follow-up of vocational program graduates, staff participation in community activities, and extensive knowledge of companies targeted as donors were also considered important to program success; and (5) many hours of staff time were needed to ensure program success. The interview schedule is appended. (LAL)