The economic fallout of the COVID-19 crisis is impacting local nonprofit community organizations in unforeseen ways. One of those affected is the Ventura College Foundation.
The foundation’s operating expenses are funded almost entirely from proceeds generated by its Ventura College Weekend Marketplace on the Ventura College campus. With the Marketplace closed until large gathering restrictions are lifted, funds to keep the foundation running are drying up.
To help cover operating expenses until the crisis is over, the Ventura College Foundation is launching an urgent fundraising campaign, “Stronger Foundation, Stronger Future.”
Please help sustain our operations and strengthen our foundation during and after the COVID-19 crisis!
We are committed to fighting for:
- the power of education to give economic resilience to every member of our community
- VC Students and their academic dreams
- a STRONGER FOUNDATION so there is a STRONGER FUTURE for the students who need us
Over half of our $50,000 goal has been raised! VC Foundation board members and staff gave over $30,000 to launch the campaign! We can get there with your help!
We are doing our part, but we need your help:
Prior to the crisis, 100% of the Ventura College Foundation’s operating costs were paid for by vendor rental revenue from our Weekend Marketplace. However, to protect the community, the Weekend Marketplace has been suspended.
Though we have $24 million in assets, most is restricted and cannot be used for operations.
The Foundation has reduced our workforce by 70% and reworked our business model and budgets.
Unfortunately, we applied for the CARES Act SBA Paycheck Protection Program loan and have not received it yet.
Our commitment to the power of education remains strong, because of the 13,000 students on campus:
- 70% are under the poverty line
- 50% are food insecure
- 40% are first-generation college students
- 18% are housing insecure
And yet, 2,000 will graduate and 1,000 will successfully transfer to 4-year universities this spring! Ventura College students rely on the VC Foundation so they can afford to stay in school.
JUST IMAGINE . . .
VC FOUNDATION REMAINS OPEN AND VITAL IN SUPPORT OF OUR STUDENTS’ FUTURES
- Expert staff remains to oversee the $24 million in endowment investments with annual distributions to support students
- Infrastructure stays in place to give 400+ scholarships away and ensure that $650,000 in scholarships are awarded annually
- Professional staff continue to enable $40,000+ in giving for textbook lending programs to serve for over 4,500 students annually
- Vital teamwork with the campus endures to attract thousands of dollars in additional support for critical career education programs including nursing and paramedic training
Please donate today to help the VC Foundation survive this crisis and enable resilient futures for students for generations to come.
5 Ways to Participate in the Ventura College Foundation’s Stronger Foundation, Stronger Future Campaign
1. GIVE!
- Donate Today Online
- Text: Stronger to: 71777
- Give Monthly to the Stronger Foundation Campaign through the AYE GIVE Employee Payroll Deduction Program ($5.00 a month minimum required) or set-up a recurring gift of any amount and for any length of time that can be made weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or quarterly. Email Julie Harvey, Development Manager, at jharvey@vcccd.edu or call 818-297-0926 to set-up a payroll deduction or recurring donations.
- Donate by Check: Mail a check to the Ventura College Foundation, 4667 Telegraph Rd, Ventura, CA 93003 – On memo line designation: “Stronger Campaign”
- Call a VC Foundation Team Member: Anne (805-506-7909), Gerry (661-406-7795) or Julie (818-297-0926) and give credit card information over the phone.
2. AMPLIFY the VC Foundation’s Efforts- Start a Facebook Fundraiser for the VC Foundation’s Stronger Foundation, Stronger Future Campaign or organize a creative fundraiser with other colleagues, family or friends.
3. VOLUNTEER to Be a Social Media Ambassador – Post, share, and participate on your favorite social media channel about the VC Foundation’s Stronger Foundation, Stronger Future Campaign.
4. Share a Good News Story & Show Gratitude (via a letter, email, social media post or video) about how the Ventura College Foundation’s support has made a difference in your life, a VC Pirate or for your campus program/department. We’d love to share it and show the impact of the Foundation.
5. Take a “unselfie” showing your support for the Foundation and the Campaign. Download a unselfie sign No printer? No problem . . . display on your screen and snap a photo.
For more information about how to give, participate or to become a Social Media Ambassador (ideas, toolkit and samples will be provided), please contact Julie Harvey, Development Manager at jharvey@vcccd.edu, (w) 805-289-6502; (c) 818-297-0926.