Impact of Giving
How We Make a Difference
The Genesee Community College Foundation supports excellence, access, economic vitality, alumni and community involvement, and the development of important capital resources.
Historical Milestones
1985 – Civic and business leaders form the Genesee Community College Foundation
1988 – Community leaders gather at the Batavia Campus to celebrate volunteer involvement at GCC, and inaugurate Foundation activities
1991 – The Foundation hosts A Star is Born, commemorating the opening of the Genesee Center for the Arts
1992 – Encore begins as an annual holiday tradition
1995 – The GCC Foundation begins its first annual fund raising campaign
1996 – The GCC Foundation launches the Wall of Honor in the Batavia Campus’ William W. Stuart Forum
1996 – A “blue-ribbon” citizens committee recommends that the GCC Foundation pursue the development of student housing and other ventures that benefit GCC and GCC students
1999 – The Foundation launches Investing in Our Future, a capital campaign in support of the construction of the Conable Technology Building
2001 – The Foundation acquires the College Meadows apartment complex adjacent to the Batavia Campus for student housing, renaming it College Village
2003 – The Foundation launches the first Wolcott J. Humphrey Symposium on Leadership and Community Life
2004 – The Foundation launches, Building a Legacy, a capital campaign in support of the construction of the Humphrey Student Union
2006 – The Foundation begins The Alpha Medal of Service recognition at GCC commencement
2007 – The Foundation constructs and opens Spruce Hall and Willow Hall at College Village
2012 – Alumni volunteers launch the first annual Fall Fest, Alumni and Friends Homecoming Weekend
2013 – The Foundation launches Creating Our Future Together, a comprehensive campaign in support of the construction of the Student Success Center and Richard C. Call Arena, and new scholarship funds
2014 – The Foundation constructs and opens Hemlock Hall and Lilac Hall at College Village
2015 – The Foundation inaugurates the GCC Alumni Council
2016 – The Alumni Council launches the Cougar Classic Scholarship Scramble at Stafford Country Club
Giving and Giving Back
Honoring Our Legacy, Empowering Our Future – 2017-2018 annual campaign – an opportunity for all alumni and friends of GCC to financially support scholarships and other important programs
Alumni and Friends Cougar Classic Scholarship Scramble – The third annual Cougar Classic Golf Tournament – July 23, 2018, Stafford Country Club
Encore 2018 – A celebration of the holiday season – December 1, 2018, Batavia Campus, Richard C. Call Arena
Gift Annuity Program – provides supporters with the opportunity to make a permanent gift in support of GCC while receiving quarterly income for life
Heritage Program – a Foundation initiative helping supporters build a permanent legacy to their interests and ideals through named scholarship funds, field-of-interest funds, and deferred giving tools
Reaching Out
Sign up for The Clocktower – produced by The GCC Foundation, our periodic e-bulletin for friends of GCC. Easy-to-read, fast-breaking news about GCC delivered to your inbox.
Sign up for The Cougar Roar – produced by Alumni Affairs, our periodic e-newsletter for GCC alumni and their families, featuring College news, and class and program notes.
The Forum Newsletter – our twice-yearly publication featuring GCC alumni, and stories of special interest to alumni and friends, distributed by U.S. mail to all alumni. To sign up for The Forum Newsletter, please email Jennifer Wakefield at jgwakefield@genesee.edu with your name and mailing address.
Discover the Stars – a gathering of scholarship benefactors and the students they support –September 10, 2018, Batavia Campus, Genesee Center for the Arts
Arts Night – a special “thank you” gathering of GCC Foundation donors and volunteers
Annual Report – our yearly compilation of Foundation accomplishments, financial statements, and Honor Roll of Donors
The GCC Foundation inspires generosity and volunteerism. Read Inspiring Reflections and Stories from the GCC Foundation.
Recognition and Honors
Wall of Honor – our beautiful recognition wall on the south end of the Batavia Campus’ William W. Stuart Forum, honoring supporters who have made lifetime gifts of $1,000 or more
Alpha Medal of Service – the Foundation’s highest award, recognizing an individual for exemplary volunteer and philanthropic leadership
President’s Circle – distinguished supporters of Genesee Community College, who are invited by the College President and Foundation President to occasional briefings about the work and achievements of GCC
Grants and Services
During the last five years, the GCC Foundation has distributed $958,464 in scholarships and need-based grants, $2,970,761 in capital facilities grants, and $117,474 in grants to college programs. Some of our services and events include:
- Alumni Programs and Service – a comprehensive program of communications, outreach, networking, and service opportunities for Genesee Community College’s 24,000 alumni and their families
- Fall Fest, Alumni and Friends Homecoming Weekend – an opportunity for alumni and friends to visit the Batavia Campus, meet old and new friends, and enjoy athletic, arts, and social activities
- College Village – our residence for 447 students featuring garden-style apartments and programs that foster personal growth and academic success
- Foundation Land Bank – property held by the Foundation to help GCC meet the challenges of the future
- Wolcott J. Humphrey III Symposium on Leadership and Community Life – a periodic community forum featuring speakers and ideas that inspire transformative change in our local communities
Additionally, there are 13 grant programs that provide scholarships to Genesee Community College students, or support of innovative College programs.
Honoring Our Legacy, Empowering Our Future: Our Annual Campaign
Your annual fund gift supports the Genesee Community College Foundation’s Scholarship Programs and other important initiatives that keep Genesee Community College on the forefront of innovation and excellence.
In order to continue fostering academic excellence and help deserving students overcome financial hardships, Genesee Community College Foundation is able to offer over 200 Scholarships to qualified students. GCC Foundation Scholarships are funded through the philanthropic investments of our generous donors to local students, thus providing the everlasting gift of education.
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” (Benjamin Franklin)
By supporting GCC Foundation’s annual fund you are investing in students and the future vitality of our community. Seventy-five percent of our students remain in the GLOW region, therefore reinforcing a strong local workforce which can lead to a strong local economy.