McDowell Technical Community College Foundation announced today the college’s first annual Day of Giving and a special matching gift opportunity to kick off the Foundation’s 2023-24 Endowment Campaign on November 1, 2023. Thanks to a Title III Matching Grant from the U.S. Department of Education, unrestricted gifts to the Foundation’s General Endowment Fund over the next three years will be matched dollar-for-dollar, ultimately increasing the number of scholarships the college can distribute each year to needy and deserving students.
“We are excited about the potential impact this Day of Giving and our annual Endowment Campaign will have on our ability to provide adequate financial aid to current and incoming students,” said Madalyn Gaito, Director of Development and MTCC Board Liaison. “If we receive enough gifts to receive the maximum Title III matching funds in each of the next three years, we can increase our endowment by $448,000. That will greatly increase our capacity to help deserving students attend McDowell Tech.”
Luckily, there are only two basic requirements for the college to meet the matching requirements from the U.S. Department of Education grant, and there is no minimum or maximum amount that an individual or organization may contribute. However, donations must be unrestricted and must placed in the General Endowment Fund between now and September 30, 2026 in order to qualify for matching funds. Approximately one-third of the total matching funds can be received for donations received in any one giving year.
As always, gifts to the Foundation are tax-deductible and individuals will receive an acknowledgement of their contribution(s).
Rebecca Marler, recipient of the 2022 Nell McMahan Scholarship, stands with Steve McMahan, who with his father and brother funded the Nell McMahan Scholarship in honor of their mother and wife. Matching gift opportunities are available on the college's first annual Day of Giving to be held on November 1st. These gifts will increase the college's endowment and allow an increase in the number of student scholarships in coming years.
Why Have a Day of Giving on November 1st?
While donations to the Endowment Fund can be received at any time during the year, Foundation members hope that having an annual day of giving each year near the first of November will encourage individuals to make donations just before the college’s annual scholarship luncheon, which will be held this year on November 7th.
While the college does receive federal and state funding to help support financial aid students, private giving and support helps to address gaps in funding from year-to-year and ensures that resources are directed to where they are needed most—providing equitable access to higher education for students from all socio-economic backgrounds. Generous support from Foundation donors also enables students to receive the education and training they need to build successful careers in fields of their choice and contributes to overall workforce development throughout the county and around the region.
As an example of the impact giving to the Endowment can have on a student, a $1,500 donation will generally cover tuition, books and fees for one semester for an average student, except in some higher-cost programs. With matching funds, that gift will be doubled to $3,000 and will provide a full year of support for that student.
Donations on the Day of Giving (or at other times during the year) may be made in one of three ways:
- Online: Visit https://mcdowelltech.edu/foundation-mtcc/ for a quick and secure donation.
- In-Person: Stop by the McDowell Tech Foundation Office, conveniently located in the Cedar Administration Building, also known as Building 11.
- By Mail: Send a check to: MTCC Foundation, 54 College Drive, Marion, NC 28752
“Our Day of Giving, with Title III matching opportunities, represents a golden opportunity for individuals, businesses, corporations and other friends of the college to help their fellow neighbors achieve their dreams of higher education and a better future for themselves and their families,” said Ryan Garrison, Interim President at MTCC. “We are constantly trying to remove barriers for those who want to pursue a college certificate or degree, and the cost of tuition, books and fees is one of the most significant barriers most potential students experience when planning for college. We strongly encourage our friends and community partners to make an investment in the future of these individuals, our workforce and our community through a contribution to the Foundation on November 1st during our first annual Day of Giving.”
For more information on the Foundation or Day of Giving, contact Madalyn Gaito at [email protected] or 828-652-0630.
