Hartnell College Foundation

When it was established in 1979, the Hartnell College Foundation's primary focus was on raising funds for student scholarships. Today, the Foundation has expanded its support for the college and its students with resources for scholarships, facilities, workforce development, and innovative programs. Between 2006 and 2012, the Foundation completed the colleges first comprehensive capital campaign in its 85-year history, raising $12 million. The Board and committees were expanded to involve over 250 community leaders. At the end of 2012, the Foundation launched a President's Task Force. This group was comprised of 43 members representing the community and campus leadership. They oversaw a campus-wide needs assessment that identified key initiatives appropriate for private support. These initiatives were the basis of a five-year, $15 million funding plan. From 2012-2019, the Foundation far exceeded its fundraising goal of $15 million by raising $45 million, three times the original target. The Foundation recently organized another community led President's Task Force, which resulted in a funding plan for 2020-2025. The plan includes initiatives for innovative and accelerated programs, student success scholarships and internships, STEM programs and scholarships, including the Computer Science in 3 Years program and K-12 partnerships, the Salinas Valley Promise (guidance, leadership development, life skills training and scholarships for local first time college students), agriculture business and technology, nursing and health sciences, athletics, arts programs, and the expansion of higher education through regional educational centers, online education, and digital equity. The new fundraising goal is $34.1 million.