Your giving back to the district changes students’ lives

Gifts given to the San Jose Evergreen Community College District’s nonprofit  Foundation change students’ lives by providing scholarships and grants.

The San Jose Evergreen Community College District’s nonprofit  arm  is the  SJECCD Foundation. As a nonprofit, the Foundation is not obligated to pay taxes on the funds it raises and is able to pass all income through to the students it serves.

“The Foundation’s  purpose is to advance the educational programs of the SJECCD  district by cultivating partnerships, generating resources and supporting opportunities for growth and student achievement and by receiving gifts, property and funds for the benefit of the district,” according to the Foundation’s website.

[media-credit id=1 align=”alignright” width=”400″][/media-credit]The work of the Foundation produces success stories in the students it serves. Available for view is the courageous stories of  Derrick Newton, Armando Cervantes and Maria Jimenez​ who have overcome substance abuse, gunshot wounds, physical and sexual abuse but were able to change their lives with the support of  the Foundation.

The backbone of the Foundation rests on three members, Chief Advancement Officer Lamar Thorpe, Development Officer Carlos Watkins and Stewardship Program Assistant Shana Carter.

“To meet past alumni and reignite their interest in the college by sharing stories of today’s students is the most heartfelt thing I do,” said Thorpe who is the marketing and program design member of the team.

“I am basically a fundraiser. I go out and engage various constituent groups, donors and donor prospects and try to get them to make contributions.” said Watkins the development officer for the Foundation. “I really enjoy being in contact with alumni, prospects and students. To hear some student stories and hear where they come from (background) is inspiring to me,”

Shana Carter is the program assistant for the Foundation. She provides administrative support, behind-the-scenes detail including keeping track of receivables, payables and scholarship funds. “I definitely keep the guys straight, that is probably my number one job,” she said.

According to the Foundation’s website, in 2014 the Foundation awarded $195,700 in scholarships that helped many underprepared students transform themselves into self-sufficient citizens.

The benefits of any gift is exponentially multiplied as the team funds scholarships, grants and other causes that continually change students’ lives. There are a variety of giving plans of any amount designed to meet any goal. To establish a giving program and to take advantage of possible tax benefits contact the Foundation.

Separate Info Box here
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To view the story of  Derrick Newton, Armando Cervantes

and Maria Jimenez, go to the following hyperlink,

http://www.sjeccd.edu/foundation and click on the

Courageous Journeys Video.

The Foundation’s Website and phone number

http://www.sjeccd.edu/foundation

408-918-5110
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