As we conclude 2008 and look ahead to 2009, the Foundation is supporting our service-oriented programs in new and improved ways, growing a much-needed resource development arm, and bolstering our business development capabilities with the aim of diversifying our funding sources for more stability. As we weather the storm of the current economic crisis, and we continue to evaluate and make sound business adjustments to our various programs and services, we are laying a strong foundation for the future – a future that, despite these difficult economic times, is much more promising today than it was a year ago.

Giving to educational organizations reached $43.32 billion in 2007, according to the GivingUSA Foundation, yet fundraising efforts in California’s community colleges are still in their infancy. As we have seen with the challenges posed to our colleges by this year’s state budget mess, community colleges must rely upon more than public funding to meet the needs of their students, programs, and facilities.

Quite often, I sit in the Foundation’s Sacramento office reviewing spreadsheets and reports that are supposed to tell the story of how our programs are operating and the impact they are having. Every now and then, I’m lucky enough to get to see our work firsthand, and to be reminded of exactly why we do what we do, why the Foundation for California Community Colleges exists, and how we impact those we serve.