HCC Foundation’s Single-day Giving Campaign Raises More Than $181,000

HOLYOKE — The Holyoke Community College Foundation raised more than $181,000 for scholarships and student-support programs during its “Together HCC” one-day giving campaign on March 4.

The fifth annual “Together HCC: Drive to Change Lives” campaign exceeded its goal of 500 donors, receiving donations worth $181,285 from 504 alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends of the college during the 24-hour fundraising drive.

“For the fifth straight year, our network of alumni, faculty, staff, and friends continue to show how much they care about HCC students,” said Julie Phillips, HCC’s director of Development. “With so many people giving what they can, it shows our students that we are invested in their success.”

All of the money raised goes directly to six areas that support HCC students: academic excellence and innovation, scholarships, the Thrive Student Resource Center and Food Pantry, the President’s Student Emergency Fund, the President’s Fund for Opportunity, and the HCC Foundation’s general, unrestricted fund.

HCC alumni made up the majority of donors at 37%, followed by 30% from HCC faculty and staff, 19% from friends of the college, 5% from parents, and 5% from students. Together, they unlocked $130,000 in challenge pledges, including $5,000 from campaign partner Gary Rome, owner of Gary Rome Hyundai in Holyoke and a member of the HCC Foundation board of directors.

“Every gift to the ‘Together HCC’ campaign matters,” Phillips said. “When we remove barriers for one student, we’re not just changing their life; we’re transforming their family’s future and strengthening our entire region.”

Anyone who missed this year’s day of giving and still wants to contribute to the HCC Foundation can do so at hcc.edu/give.