M A R I C O PA COMMUNITY COLLEGES FOUNDATION
Changing Lives. Building Futures.
In This Issue Heroes of Education Raises Money for Scholarships
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CEO Message Investment. Let’s talk.
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Sony Recognizes Students
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Leading with Heart Award
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Employees Honored
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New Employees
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Scholarship News
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Student Spotlight
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Vets Plan to Raise Funds
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The Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation 2419 W. 14th Street Tempe, Arizona 85281 www.maricopa.edu/ foundation 480.731.8407
Request an on-line edition of the newsletter from leticia.grahamcorona@domail.maricopa.edu
M A R I C O PA COMMUNITY COLLEGES FOUNDATION
Your Donor Newsletter Summer & Fall 2012
Foundation’s Heroes of Education Event Raises $200,000 for Scholarships to support students from 14 out of 15 Arizona counties while maintaining a retention rate of more than 90%.
Hero of Education Honoree, Lisa Budinger with Co-Chairs
With more than 450 community leaders in attendance, the Foundation hosted the 7th annual Heroes of Education award dinner on April 29, 2012. Lisa Budinger – president and CEO of Arizona College Scholarship Foundation (ACSF) was honored as the 2012 Hero of Education. ACSF is increasing the number of bachelor’s degree holders in the State by providing scholarships and one-on-one mentoring to high potential, low-income students. Since its inception in 2005, ACSF has supported 250 actively enrolled students, 75 of whom have achieved their dream of a bachelor’s degree. ACSF is currently supporting 20 ACE students and has awarded 24 ACE students since the program’s inception. Under Lisa’s leadership, ACSF has celebrated its first program graduates, doubled the number of students served by the program and has grown
Lisa is passionate about education and ensuring that all of Arizona’s students have the opportunity to attend college, regardless of their financial status. She has been a supporter of ACE (Achieving a College Education) since her return to her native Arizona in 2007. Lisa is active in the community and currently serves on the steering committee for College Depot and the Thunderbird Global Council. She is a member of All A’s for Arizona. The Heroes award is given annually to a champion of public education in Arizona who has a proven personal and professional commitment to support Maricopa Community College students and educational opportunities. The 2012 event raised over $200,00 to benefit ACE (Achieving a College Education), Chicanos Por La Causa Matching Scholarship Fund, and the General Scholarship Fund at the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation. Two students who have benefited directly from Foundation scholarships had the opportunity to tell their stories at the dinner. Kathryn Banning, a young mother of six, who finds the time to do it all and to do it well…exceptionally HEROES, continued on p. 6
Kathryn Banning, 2012 All-Arizona Academic Team
That phrase “educating our community, ensuring our future” is the theme that will be underlying our fund raising efforts for the next several years, and it is something we hope you will consider when thinking about your future “investments.”
MCCF Board of Directors Executive Officers Chair Antonio Hampton Western Sales Operations Xerox Corporation
Vice Chair Heidi R. Schaefer Director, Corp. Taxes
Secretary
Dear Friends,
Alexander Jamison President Mediation & Ombudsman Resolutions, ETC Cathey Joseph Cathey Joseph P.L.L.C.
Lydia A. Aranda
Treasurer
Investment. It’s something we talk about a lot at the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation. We talk about it in the way you would expect, in the context of investing the money that comes from our donors in a responsible and prudent way. We do that so the money can grow and so that it can be used prudently and appropriately to achieve the purposes for which it has been given to us. We talked a lot about investments this year because our Board Investment Committee decided in the 2011-2012 fiscal year to do request for proposals for investment managers for the first time in a number of years. The result was that, after a thorough process, the Investment Committee chose a new investment manager for the Foundation. That choice then resulted in a series of meetings between our Investment Committee and the new investment managers to carefully review both the Foundation’s investment philosophy and investment policy. The discussion was both serious and spirited and while there were some changes, the end result is that the Foundation’s approach to investment continues to be both prudent and conservative and focused on our ability to get your money to those who need it, consistent with the terms of your gift. I want to thank all the members of the Board’s Investment Committee, led by Board Treasurer Russ Johnson for all that they did and continue to do to protect and grow your investments and our COO Mary O’Connor for effectively and efficiently managing the process and the subsequent transition. It is really a different (though related) kind of investment that I want to “talk” about here, though, the investment in people that is made possible by your generous financial investment in the Foundation. We all invest for the purpose of seeing a positive return: something more, something good, something better that results from what we’ve put in. Your investment with us provides just that. Your investment is in the students who you provide with the opportunity to further their education, to better their lives and the lives of their families. That’s a positive return for them, but it is also a positive return for all of us as they join the workforce and give back to the economy and to the community. And your investment is in programs and the creative and innovative faculty and staff who develop and strengthen those programs, in turn helping and supporting large numbers of students. Those programs increase the chances that those students will be successful, again resulting in those positive returns for them and for the greater community. The bottom line—so to speak—is that when we invest in educating our community the return is in ensuring our future. That phrase “educating our community, ensuring our future” is the theme that will be underlying our fund raising efforts for the next several years, and it is something we hope you will consider when thinking about your future “investments.” As always, from the Foundation, from our colleges and most of all from our students, our most sincere and heartfelt thanks for your continuing support.
Russell Johnson President & CEO Merchants Information Solutions, Inc.
Immediate Past Chair Edmundo Hidalgo President & CEO Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc.
President & Chief Executive Officer
Steven R. Helfgot, EdD President and CEO
Ashley Kasarjian Snell & Wilmer LLP Michael Kelly Manager Kelly Consulting Alliance Leonard Loo Quarles & Brady LLP Tammy McLeod Vice President & Chief Customer Officer Arizona Public Service Company
Dr. Steven Helfgot
Directors: Richard L. Boals President & CEO BlueCross BlueShield of Arizona *Dr. Donald R. Campbell Maricopa Community College District Governing Board Representative Jessica Catlin Director of Strategic Planning & Development Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) Valerie D. Churchwell Outreach Manager City of Phoenix Aviation Department *Mark Dioguardi Partner Dioguardi Flynn LLP *Dr. Paul A. Elsner (Honorary Life Member) Chancellor Emeritus Paul Elsner Associates LeRoy M. Gaintner Managing Partner Gaintner, Bandler, Reed & Peters PLC *Dr. Jan Gehler President Scottsdale Community College Andrew Geier Layton Construction Les M. Gin Comerica Bank *Dr. Eugene Giovannini President GateWay Community College
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Dr. Rufus Glasper Chancellor Maricopa Community Colleges
*Dennis E. Mitchem Board Member Emiritus Kevin Moran Dr. Ioanna Morfessis President IO.INC. Gregg A. Ostro President & Executive Producer GO Media Companies/ GOCO, Inc. Linda B. Rosenthal Retired Maricopa Community College District Governing Board Member *Dana Saar Maricopa Community College District Governing Board Representative *Dr. Anna Solley President Phoenix College Wendy Villa Director of Government & Media Relations Mario E. Diaz & Associates, L.L.C.
* Ex Officio Staff Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer Mary O’Connor Maricopa Community Colleges Vice-President, Development Colleen Peterson
Leading with Heart “I was astounded and pleased to receive this award from the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation. I’ve been involved with the Foundation since the 80’s because of my deep interest and belief in the mission of our community colleges. I believe in a hand up and not a hand out. The Foundation is there to help students accomplish their goals of a career, a trade or provide a path to higher education.” –Dennis Mitchem Steve Helfgot, Tony Hampton, Dennis Mitchem, Leroy Gainter, Rufus Glasper
Dennis Mitchem, retired CPA, retired, Corporate Relations at Northern Arizona University and retired partner, Arthur Andersen was visibly moved as he received the coveted Ronnie Lopez Leading with Heart Award on May 24, 2012. The Foundation created this award for individuals who have demonstrated the same selfless and passionate commitment that Lopez has toward the Maricopa Colleges. Denny has served since 1996
in the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation Board and stepped down on July 1, 2012 but will retain Emeritus status. Denny is noted for his philanthropy and the guidance he has given the board over the years. He has served on many other community boards too numerous to mention. He has been a driving force behind many Phoenix community initiatives and organizations.
Sony Electronics Supports Recognition of Students and Faculty Sony, Inc., sponsors an annual technological award for five Maricopa Community College students who do not have access to a personal computer and two faculty members who need to update their technological resources for themselves and the work they do with their students. This year’s recipients are: Faculty: Tawn Hauptli, Ed.D., Interim Director, Foundations for Student Success Residential Faculty, Mesa Community College Executive Board Member, National Association of Community College Teacher Education Programs Dr.Tawn Hauptli uses technology to encourage her students to develop higher level thinking skills. Embracing the MCCCD vision that advocates “working collectively” and promoting the values of “community, inclusiveness, innovation, learning,” Dr. Hauptli utilizes the pedagogy of guided discovery as the foundation for a collaborative, technology rich cumulative project. The collaborative inquiry group project incorporates the following five principles that require her to 1) envision the lesson, 2) enable collaboration, 3) encourage students, 4) ensure learning, and 5) evaluate achievement (Urhahne, Schanze, Bell, Mansfield & Holmes, 2010). Using ubiquitous technologies she has created a structure and a framework that incorporates these five principles. Kelly Lambert, Librarian, Residential Faculty, Phoenix College To increase student retention and success in college courses, a series of interactive tutorials were created to help students
Steve Helfgot, Casandra Kakar, Kelly Lambert, Tony Hampton, Steven Zimmer
improve their information literacy skills. Information literacy is a person’s ability to find information, evaluate information for quality, and use information in an ethical manner. Biology Bootcamp is for students taking courses in the Biosciences, and Improving Information Literacy Skills was created for students in ENG101 or to refresh the skills of students in ENG102. The tutorials include a pre and post assessment along with 8-10 mini-modules that provide content via audio, video and interactive activities. The modules are an alternative teaching and learning experience that can be incorporated by both face-to-face and online students and attempt to improve basic skills under-prepared students need to be successful in college courses. SONY Students: Deeda Webster (PC) - Deeda and her son attend Phoenix College, where Deeda is majoring in Health Information Technology. In addition to her studies, Deeda participates in the SONY, continued, page 4
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SONY, continued
work-study, REACH/TRiO, PC Ambassador and STEM Mentoring programs. Upon completion of her degree in May 2013, she plans to take an exam to become a registered health information technician and transfer to a university to pursue a bachelor's degree in the same field. Deeda says of not having her own personal computer "I have been utilizing computers at Phoenix College...and [finishing] up last minute loose ends at home on my son's computer. I will only be able to do this until the end of the semester because my son is graduating from Phoenix College and moving to Flagstaff to pursue his bachelor's degree at NAU." Tai Lu (GCC)-Tai is pursuing an associate in science at Glendale Community College. Upon graduating from GCC, he plans to pursue bachelors and master's degrees in engineering at Arizona State University. Tai says of not owning a personal computer "My [GCC] courses are vital in providing the basic foundation and critical skills for my career as an electrical engineer. My Calculus professor [assigns] homework online... [and] my professors expect students to submit assignments online using Blackboard. As a result of not having a personal computer, all of this can only be done when I am at school or at the public library." Julianna Martinez (SMCC) - Julianna is working toward an associate in general studies at South Mountain Community College. She plans to transfer to Arizona State University to earn a degree in health science before working as a nutritionist. In addition to her studies, Deeda works as an instructional assistant for the Kyrene School District and supports her daughter and eldest son who are enrolled full-time at Phoenix College and South Mountain Community College, as well as her youngest son who is taking high school dual enrollment courses through Rio Salado College. "For the past few years, I was able to bring a laptop home from work. I can remember many times sitting in the parking lot of the local library...using the Wi-Fi connection. This year...I no longer have that opportunity," says Julianna. "My children and I use the computer labs at school, but not having a personal computer has caused great conflict in my household." Duwayne Hampton (PVCC) - Duwayne began attending Paradise Valley Community College in 2010 to pursue a career as an audio technology engineer. Duwayne says of his first semester "School was extremely complicated due to the fact that I had to re-learn methods of study and how to manage homework with parenting and work. I did not have a place to stay, so living in my car with my son was the only option for us. Although my living conditions were not the most comfortable, I stayed focused." Duwayne says of not having a computer "It is extremely difficult for me to be a returning adult student and go to college without having my own computer. It is frustrating to sit at school at night trying to do homework when I have a small child at home who needs my attention. Being that my major is audio technology, having a personal computer is a key element in having a successful [career]...without the proper equipment it is nearly impossible to create a professional portfolio." Julie Dawson (SMCC) - After being out of school for 20 years, Julie decided to pursue a degree in human resources at South Mountain Community College. Upon graduating from SMCC, she plans to pursue a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University. Julie says of not having a computer "Nowadays everything is online. I have to spend a lot of time at the college. Sometimes I do not get home until after ten o'clock. I feel if I had a personal computer at home, I would be able to make better use of my time and energy."
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Our GREEN Priority The Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation is going green and you can help! Send an email message today to Leticia.graham-corona@domail. maricopa.edu
We’ll add or update your record, and you’ll start receiving newsletters and the annual report electronically. We will continue to find ways to move more correspondence to paper-free platforms now and in the future. We can all make small changes that help our environment. Don’t forget to go green with us!
Foundation Honors Exemplary Employees at Annual Awards Luncheon Each year, the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation recognizes employees who have made outstanding contributions to the District’s mission. Honorees are picked from nominations by co-workers or students. Five awards are made each year to individual employees or teams of employees in the form of a $1,000 scholarship given in each awardee’s name to a student at any Maricopa Community College or center. The 2012 winners are as follows. Lori Girshick (CGCC), Dale Heuser (PVCC), Rory Gilbert and Jacque Starks (District). These employees have been leaders of the movement to include Gender Identity to the District’s non-discrimination policy. Legal issues and lack of support prevented action for several years. Rory Gilbert, Dale Heuser and Lori Girshick
In 2008, the Chancellor’s Executive Council endorsed the inclusion of Gender Identity to the District’s non-discrimination
Arizona State University and between PVCC and the University
policy. Despite challenges, the proposal was approved by
of Arizona.
the Governing Board on September 27, 2011. As a result, the words “gender Identity” were added into the MCCCD’s non-
Raul S. Monreal, Jr. – South Mountain Community College
discrimination policy.
(SMCC)
Amy MacPherson - South Mountain Community College
For more than 30 years, Raul S. Monreal, Jr. has represented
(SMCC)
the voice of Maricopa students, staff, faculty and administrators. As an educator, he knows what it takes to
Amy MacPherson is the Chair of the Library, Teaching &
succeed. Through his tireless contribution to the community,
Learning Center Division of South Mountain Community College.
he has offered essential input to areas that affect our entire
A passionate advocate for support of libraries, Amy planned
system of education. Raul Monreal’s thirty-plus years of service
and moved SMCC’s library into a 52,000 square foot, state-of-
to the Maricopa Colleges can be summed up in one word -
the-art facility. The creation of the integrated South Mountain
commitment. Throughout his tenure, he has been a champion
Community Library sealed a strong working relationship with the
for students and diversity.
Phoenix Public Library. Amy mastered complex, varied details ranging from elevators, restrooms, basements and lighting, to
James Souza – Phoenix College (PC)
the technology behind 136 computers, while helping ensure a smooth transition.
Phoenix College math students – and students as far away as Namibia – have benefited from the outstanding commitment
Dr. Hank Mancini - Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC)
of James Sousa, a Mathematics instructor who has developed more than 1,850 free mini-lesson math tutorials on topics
Dr. Mancini exemplifies what it means to be a professional
ranging from arithmetic to calculus. In addition to using the
educator and is held in the highest regard by colleagues,
videos in the classroom, he also makes the videos available
students, and the community. He has a strong passion for
free-of-charge via YouTube to help explain math topics to
educating professional future scientists and pre-med students.
students around the world. The lessons integrate technology
Dr. Mancini focuses on the continuum ends of the educational
and provide examples to enhance student learning. James’s
pipeline: from recruiting to educating to placement. As a PVCC
students and colleagues hold him in high esteem, commenting
faculty member for the last 18 years, he has offered unwavering
that he is “a developer of dynamic solutions for students” and
support of future scientists. Dr. Mancini retired at the end of
“a very productive team player.” Described by one colleague
the 2011-12 academic year. In his final push, he developed
as “the hardest worker I know,” James is a stellar example of
an engineering pathway transfer program between PVCC and
someone who believes in removing the barriers to learning.
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Welcoming our Newest Employees We are proud to introduce our two latest additions to the Foundation family. Traci Goff is the latest member of our development team and is settling in very nicely. You may have already met Mary Mickels if you’ve visited our office, as she welcomes guests with her friendly smile. We’re excited to have them here as part of our team. We’ve asked them to introduce themselves to you.
Mary Mickels I am from Belleville, MI originally born and raised in Detroit, MI and I moved to Glendale, AZ in August 2010. My last employer was the University of Michigan where I was employed for 12 years. I worked in the office of Development Gift Administration department. Gift Administration is where I was trained to process gifts, answer donor calls and learned the true joy people receive from giving in order to help others achieve their goals. I served as an advisory source to our team of 17 unit liaisons, who handled the more complex gifts that the University received. After relocating to Arizona, I was blessed to secure a position with the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation. I am truly enjoying my time here at the Foundation where there is warmth and camaraderie that I have not experienced in a very long time. The interactions I see with the recipients of scholarships here at the foundation allow me to see how MCCF really works and how what we do impacts students and the community.
Traci Goff I was born and raised in Burbank, California and moved to Portland, Oregon after I graduated from high school. I am a first generation college graduate in my family and I don’t think it would have been possible if I hadn’t attended Portland Community College. I have been working in the field of development, or fund raising, for 15 years for various social service and educational non-profit organizations. I am new to the Phoenix area, having just moved here from Charlotte, North Carolina. In Charlotte, I worked for Discovery Place for four years in their Development Office raising funds to support the museum’s educational programs, summer camps, and outreach efforts. Discovery Place is very similar to the Arizona Science Center. In the months that I have been in Phoenix, I have really enjoyed getting to know my colleagues at the Foundation, meeting other colleagues at the different colleges and learning about their different programs.
HEROES, continued
well. She was recently named to the 2012 All-Arizona Academic Team, which recognizes the top community college scholars in the state. She is currently in the fourth semester of the nursing program at Phoenix College and was so impressed with the scholarships that the Foundation offers that have helped her with her goals that she started her own scholarship to benefit fellow Phoenix College Students. Her goal for the “Making a Difference” scholarship fund is to give $1,000 annually to a deserving student. She is always looking for contributors for the fund. “It makes sense for students to give to students…and now it’s my time to pay it forward…it’s never too early to do that”, said Kathryn as she spoke to the rapt audience. Erika DiazFuentes brought the crowd to their feet as she told her poignant story. A single mother at 14, this young woman is now a junior at the University of Arizona where she is majoring in biochemistry and molecular biophysics with a minor in mathematics. She is torn between forensic science and serving our country as an explosives engineer in the military. What brought her to this was the encouraging ACE staff at Estrella Mountain Community College who motivated her to stay in school and to work hard. “ACE renewed my desire for higher education. It helped me to get an inside, close-up look at what college life is like. It made the entire process a lot less intimidating to me; and it gave me time management skills and goals worth achieving, not only for myself, but for my child.”
Scholarship News In an ongoing effort, the Foundation, in cooperation with all ten Maricopa Community Colleges has centralized more than 900 Foundation-based scholarships in its’ STARS on-line application system. Originally, the colleges, on behalf of the Foundation, used a combination of paper, homegrown electronic forms and in a few instances, basic web-based software programs to advertise and award student scholarships restricted to their campus. Now, administration of application and award processes will be coordinated in STARS by the Foundation. Colleges will continue to organize their scholarship committee volunteers. The conversion provides one-stop application for students seeking private funding designated for Maricopa Community Colleges students. The system is easy for students as well as scholarship committee members to use. During a pilot of the program in 2011 which included five colleges and two skill centers, student feedback on ease of use was positive. Fall 2012 scholarship applications will be accepted online at http://www.maricopa.edu/foundation August 6, 2012 through September 14, 2012.
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Student Spotlight Musically inclined as a child, Jermaine dreamt of being a choral director for as long as he can remember. “I currently am working on a double major in vocal performance and music education here at GCC and plan to continue on to NAU, where I have plans to continue my double major,” says Jermaine. A solemn Jermaine recounts, “I lost my mother during my junior year of high school, and I was alone. Luckily during high school they told us about college and scholarships, and I just followed the guidelines put Jermaine Thomas, Jr. Glendale Community College (GCC) before me; because for me, a teenager General Scholarships with no means of other support, it was not a possibility to fail … I only had myself to depend on. Had I failed, I would only be hurting myself. I can honestly say that scholarships have turned my life around. I would not be here if it weren’t for people that want to give other people opportunities.” Jermaine tells his friends to attend college and to focus on their studies and take advantage of scholarships. He strongly feels that they all could be doing more with their lives. “There’s just no excuse to not better yourself through education because there are scholarships and people willing to take the time to help you achieve your potential.” It’s his love of education and music that continues to propel him to work harder. He has had to grow up quicker than his peers, but he says that has helped him focus on the important things in life!
Save the Date September 27, 2012
April 25, 2013
2013 Heroes of Education Recognition Dinner kick-off reception
2013 Heroes of Education Dinner
Join us as we introduce the 2013 Heroes of Education Honoree Sponsored by Northern Trust 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm Sheraton Phoenix Downtown District American Kitchen & Wine Bar 340 N. 3rd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004 For more information, contact Letty at Leticia.graham-corona@domail. maricopa.edu or call 480-731-8399
Join us at the 2013 Heroes of Education Dinner 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Valley of the Sun Ballroom 340 N. 3rd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004 For sponsorship opportunities and information, please contact Letty at Leticia.graham-corona@domail. maricopa.edu or call 480-731-8399
Foundation, Veterans Group Agree to Raise Funds for Veterans’ Education The Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation and the Arizona Veterans Education Foundation (AZVEF) have created a new fund to provide scholarships for deserving veterans who want to attend one of the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges. The Student Veteran Fund (SVF) is designed to provide critical financial support for men and women who served as members of the U.S. Armed Forces and who have enrolled in a Maricopa Community College. Priority in selection for recipients is reserved for those who, because of special circumstances, need extra financial support beyond that provided by the G.I. Bill. “Student veterans often have limited resources, minimal support and are in financial stress during the transition from active duty to civilian life,” said Gene van den Bosch, President and CEO of the Arizona Veterans Education Foundation. “The SVF is intended to provide a safety net to students who show promise but cannot continue studies using their G.I. Benefits, or who have exhausted their G.I. Benefits.” “The Maricopa Community Colleges pride themselves on helping veterans succeed in their educational goals,” said Dr. Steven Helfgot, President and CEO of the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation. “Creation of the Student Veteran Fund will support these efforts and will make it easier for veterans to complete their chosen academic programs.” Annually, the foundation will screen student veterans who apply through the online scholarship process to receive financial support. A committee including a member of the AZVEF Board of Directors and two student veterans on that Board will participate in the review of applications. The amount of the awards will be determined by the amount of money in the fund’s account following ongoing fundraising activities. Funds to support the Fund will be raised by volunteers participating in the AZVEF’s fundraising programs. A fundraising dinner is scheduled for October 2012.
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NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID PHOENIX, AZ PERMIT NO. 449
M A R I C O PA COMMUNITY COLLEGES FOUNDATION 2419 W. 14th Street Tempe, Arizona 85281 www.maricopa.edu/foundation
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Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Mesa Community College
Scottsdale Community College
Estrella Mountain Community College
Paradise Valley Community College
South Mountain Community College
GateWay Community College
Phoenix College
The Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization designated by the Maricopa County Community College District to receive and manage gifts on behalf of its 10 colleges. It acts as a trustee for donations to assure that gifts are distributed in the manner specified by the donor. Federal I.D. #86-0327449. Contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Glendale Community College
Rio Salado College