The Greenfield Community College Foundation asked the community to "invest in students and create a future," and the community did just that. Thanks to strong annual fund support by business and individual donors, and the addition of three unanticipated gifts by bequest over the year, the recently completed GCC Foundation 2015 Campaign raised $1,106,727 from 1,016 donors to support the College. The funds raised reflect a 19% increase over the 2014 campaign dollars raised and an 11% increase in campaign donors, including additional new or increased gifts made to meet the $100,000 Challenge offered by an anonymous donor this spring.

The GCC Annual Fund Campaign involves many members of the community. More than 70 volunteers worked on the Campaign, individually soliciting funds from other community members, alumni, parents, current and retired faculty and staff, foundations, and businesses. Funds are also raised at several fundraising events throughout the year, such as the GCC Day at Mike's Maze in Sunderland and the GCC Turkey Run held at the main campus.

Robyn Provost of Heath, President of the GCC Foundation Board of Directors and co-owner of Mowry & Schmidt General Contractors in Greenfield, said, "I am honored to be a part of an organization that provides critical support to GCC students. The confidence that our community demonstrates in GCC by their investments in the quality, affordable education offered to students seeking to change their lives through education makes this job easy." Provost is in her first year as Board President, but has served as a campaign volunteer and/or board member for nearly a decade.

Honorary campaign co-chairs were the Cahillane family of Northampton, who were enthusiastic supporters throughout the campaign and also hosted a gathering in Hampshire County in May to help promote the effort. When agreeing to serve in the role, they noted that 16 Cahillane family members across three generations have obtained access to education at GCC, leaving an indelible mark on their collective career paths and their subsequent impact across many communities.

The 2015 annual campaign was led by campaign co-chairs, Joe Ruggeri and Rich Fahey, both of Greenfield and both returning to the role from the previous year. In describing their motivation for taking on the commitment to lead the GCC Foundation staff and campaign volunteers in the fundraising effort, they expressed their desire to support GCC's essential role as a resource for education, job training and economic support in the region. Fahey is clear that "keeping GCC alive and well is essential to the well-being of our community," while co-chair Ruggeri states that "GCC will always be a foundation of long-term sustainability for the area."

Reflecting on what the Campaign means for the College and the community, GCC President Bob Pura expressed his appreciation for the efforts of all. "There is much that our nation can learn from our community.  Each life changing scholarship and gift from this campaign is evidence of a community that supports neighbors as if they were family.  This campaign was truly this community's campaign.  On behalf of our students, faculty and staff I am so thankful and appreciative of every single gift.  This investment in GCC will yield powerful dividends in our community for years to come." 

For information about the GCC Foundation and the 2015 Annual Fund Campaign, see gcc.mass.edu/foundation or contact Regina Curtis at (413) 775-1600.