Dear Friends of AACC,

As a resident of Anne Arundel County for many years, I have long admired Anne Arundel Community College. Upon graduating from Severna Park High School in the 1980’s, I enrolled in my first college courses at AACC and my experience sparked my commitment to education and shaped my career. Today, I am honored to serve as the Executive Director the AACC Foundation and I wish to thank the AACC community – and indeed the wider community of Anne Arundel County – for the warm welcome that I have received since I began my tenure. The outpouring of support for the foundation from faculty, staff, students, donors and the community inspires me.

The AACC Foundation, Inc., partners with Anne Arundel Community College in an effort to support student success. We fulfill our mission by actively encouraging private gifts from individuals, alumni, businesses, associations and service organizations – people like you!

For many years, the majority of funds donated to the foundation have been used to support institutional scholarships. While this continues to be one of our chief objectives, the complexities of a 21^st century education increasingly necessitate the need for additional resources to support program development, facilities maintenance, as well as emerging community needs. Traditional revenue sources – local and state dollars combined with tuition – have and will continue to provide a solid education for our students, however contributions and grants provide the additional unrestricted resources that are needed to enhance academic opportunities and add the “educational excellence” that Anne Arundel Community College continues to uphold.

Governed by a dynamic board of community leaders, foundation activities focus on building assets for the strategic initiatives of the college, as well as building relationships both within the college and Anne Arundel County. Much of the foundation’s funds are endowed and managed through an investment strategy that maximizes the availability of cash funds in addition to building an asset base for the future.

The Foundation exists to protect Anne Arundel Community College’s position of strength in the field of higher education. To this end, the generous investments made by individuals and businesses protect the college’s margin of excellence and ensure a regional vitality rich with educated citizens and workers.

Today, the commitment of our donors takes on an even greater role of importance than ever before. Foundation contributions are the foundation’s driving force! Your ongoing financial support accelerates the goals of our community’s college and opens doors of opportunity for students who would not otherwise have the means of obtaining a higher education. Most importantly, your contribution does more than support financial needs; it reflects a generosity of spirit and strengthens our sense of community. Your giving inspires others to give!

Remember...whether it is a heartfelt gift from a student or an extraordinary gift of over a million dollars, each and every dollar is appreciated, gratefully received and personally acknowledged by the foundation. We sincerely appreciate the friendship and support of our donors. We thank you for making Anne Arundel Community College a true reflection of our community’s dream for excellence in education!

The Foundation is doing well and continues to contribute to the College’s mission. With the guidance and support of a dedicated Foundation Board, a talented Institutional Advancement staff, the professional College administration, and our loyal friends who give, the foundation will continue to be a catalyst for the College’s dreams. Thank you!

Warmly,

Stacey S. Heckel, CFRE
Executive Director