Foundation Grants
We recently identified as a priority the pursuit of grants from private
and public foundations. These additional funds will enable the Foundation
to support enhancements to academic
programs as well as student financial awards.
The Fairfield County Community Foundation
The Fairfield County Community Foundation (FCCF) has been a friend
of Housatonic Community College and the Housatonic Community College
Foundation for many years.
In 2003-04, their support came in the form of three important grants.
The FCCF Fund For Women And Girls awarded $7,500 to fund Girls in Science, a summer program for 30 middle school children, and a key part of the college’s ongoing commitment to expand educational opportunities for the greater Bridgeport community.
The Fairfield County Community Foundation was also instrumental
in our success with two grants through the Frederick H. Leonhardt
Fund at the New York Community Trust. We received $15,000 to expand
our
Tutoring Program at
the HCC Academic Support Center. The Center currently provides vital
services to an estimated 90 percent of the student body. We received
an additional $20,000 to establish the Leonhardt Scholars Program,
a revolving fund, which in its first year provided grants to 25 qualified
students.
United States Department of Education
Our largest grant this year will fund the establishment of our Urban Multi-Cultural Access and Success Program. The grant, proposed to the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, was championed by U.S. Representative Christopher Shays, and endorsed by U.S. Senators Christopher Dodd and Joseph Lieberman. A total of $149,115 was awarded to fund this new initiative, which is intended to identify and address the specific needs of individual students, and to maximize their chances for completion of their college program. Dr. Lisa Montgomery, Dean of Students, was instrumental in obtaining this grant and will direct the program, slated to begin in the coming academic year.
The Westport Young Women’s League
The Westport Young Women’s League continues to be a strong supporter of the HCC Foundation and our students. The organization awarded a grant of $6,484 to support The Early Childhood Laboratory School, including the cost of field trips and childcare for 20 students. This is the eighth year that the Young Women’s League has made a financial contribution to the Foundation.
The Richard Donchian Charitable Foundation
The Richard D. Donchian Charitable Foundation awarded $5,000 in support of the College’s Library Instruction Program. The funds were used to purchase equipment to teach students valuable research techniques, including how to access, evaluate and utilize library resources.
The Daphne Seybolt Culpeper Memorial Foundation
The Daphne Seybolt Culpeper Memorial Foundation donated $1,000 in support of the Library Instruction Program.
The Inner City Foundation for Charity and Education
The Inner City Foundation for Charity and Education awarded $10,000 to be used for scholarships for students with a demonstrated financial need who reside in Fairfield County. These awards will commence in academic year 2004-05.
Additional Grant Support
Step into the building at 900 Lafayette Boulevard in Bridgeport, Connecticut and enjoy an impressive collection of art adorning the walls of the school. The Housatonic Community College Museum serves as guardian of this collection – with works by Picasso, Rodin, Dali, Warhol, and other masters – considered by professionals to be one of the most valuable collections of any two-year college in the nation. We are proud to invest time and effort on behalf of the Museum, which curates the collection and manages a rotating exhibit space on the first floor. This year, we assisted with successful grant applications that realized $30,000.
The Werth Family Foundation awarded the Museum $15,000 in support
of the Conservation Project, which will help to ensure the proper maintenance
of our collection.
The Institute of Museum and Library Science awarded $15,000 under their
Conservation Project Support Program for the Museum’s detailed
survey of the art collection, including recommendations for treatment
and associated costs.