The Polk Community College Foundation, Inc.,
with the assistance of the Clements Group of Salt Lake City,
Utah, conducted a feasibility study to determine community support
for a proposed major gifts campaign. The Clements Group (CG),
a highly reputable college fund raising consultant, obtained
information concerning essential requirements for success.
After examining various factors, the CG study recommended that PCC begin preparations to launch a major gifts campaign. The campaign started at the beginning of the 2001-2002 academic year.
As part of the feasibility study, prospect lists were compiled, a needs assessment was conducted and a preliminary case for support was developed.
"We are excited about the results of the feasibility study," said William N. Ryan, Executive Director of the PCC Foundation. "Based on the study's findings along with the kind of leadership we have on our Foundation Board, I foresee us embarking on a successful major gifts campaign that will benefit PCC in many ways."
Fifty-three individuals were interviewed by CG consultants, including representatives of the college faculty and staff, members of the Board of Trustees, the Foundation Board of Directors and a significant number of corporate, business, professional, and community leaders. Interviews of about 45 minutes were conducted in private, face-to-face meetings.
Study Findings
Study participants cited these major strengths of PCC:
· Serves as a valuable asset to the community.
· Provides accessible and affordable educational opportunities for students of all ages and backgrounds.
· Has strong leadership and qualified faculty.
Major challenges most often mentioned include:
· Locating additional sources of funding.
· Keeping up with technology.
· Enhancing awareness of the college and the quality programs it offers.
Study Conclusions
"A substantial majority of the respondents (94 percent)
are favorable toward PCC," says the study. "Respondents
believe PCC enjoys significant support from the community it
serves and that this support can be further enhanced by telling
the success stories of Polk Community College and its students."
The interviews also revealed that:
· 86 percent of the responding external interviewees are favorable toward a major gifts campaign conducted in behalf of Polk Community College.
· 73 percent of the respondents indicate they will or may be willing to participate in the campaign organization.
· 98 percent of those responding to this question indicate they would or might personally contribute to a major gifts campaign conducted in behalf of PCC.
· 79 percent of the respondents indicate they believe the needs of PCC are a high or medium priority compared to their other philanthropic priorities.
PCC's Needs
As with most institutions of higher education, Polk Community
College continues to find needs for which there is inadequate
state funding. The areas of critical need identified by the feasibility
study are:
· Facilities- PCC needs to establish
a campus in the northeast quadrant, to serve the fastest growing
area of Polk County. The college also plans to build a new Student/Community
Center on the Lakeland campus and make needed additions to educational
facilities on both campuses.
· Scholarships- The number of scholarships at PCC
needs to be expanded, making college available to more people.
This will provide opportunities for more first-generation college
students, single parents, returning adults to earn college degrees
and find better paying jobs.
· Technology- In order to continue to prepare students for 21st century careers, Polk Community College needs additional PCs and technology in its classrooms and labs.
· New Initiatives- Polk Community College wants to expand its offering of programs to meet the needs of area businesses and the health needs of the growing number of senior citizens.
"Contributing toward educational improvements at PCC is an investment in Polk County's future. It will open doors to our citizens and brighten their tomorrows," Ryan said. He and his staff are beginning to gear up for the impending major gifts campaign, focusing on organizing the campaign structure.