| For Release: IMMEDIATE | Contact: Public Affairs |
| Date: May 24, 2000 |
The A. J. Fletcher Foundation Gives $50,000 to the North Carolina Community Colleges Foundation
RALEIGH- The A. J. Fletcher Foundation has pledged $50,000 to the Capital Campaign of the North Carolina Community Colleges Foundation.
The announcement comes from Tom McGuire, Executive Director of the A. J. Fletcher Foundation.
J. Gregory Poole, Jr., chairman of the North Carolina Community Colleges Foundation at the time the gift was made, responded enthusiastically to the generous pledge. "We are so pleased that the A.J. Fletcher Foundation understands how valuable North Carolina’s community colleges are and the struggles they face due to rapid growth and changes in industry standards. Their gift will set a tremendous example to other North Carolina foundations and businesses.
The A. J. Fletcher Foundation was established as a result of the generosity of the late Alfred Johnston Fletcher (1887-1979). At its inception, the Foundation was primarily intended to provide annual operating support for the Grass Roots Opera. During the mid-1980's, the Foundation increased its support in the traditional area of interest, and began to expand its commitment to a broad range of new charitable endeavors. The mission of the A. J. Fletcher Foundation is to support nonprofit organizations in their endeavors to enrich the lives and well being of people in North Carolina.
The North Carolina Community Colleges Foundation was formed in 1986 to help sustain the mission and programs of the North Carolina Community College System. After several dormant years, the Foundation was reorganized in 1998 under the leadership of H. Martin Lancaster, President of the North Carolina Community College System, and Lt. Governor Dennis A. Wicker, who was then chairman of the State Board of Community Colleges. Governor James B. Hunt, Jr. and President Lancaster recruited Gregory Poole to head the new Board of Directors, whose members now include top leadership from business and industry, philanthropy, education and government. Stephen P. Zelnak, Jr., President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Martin Marietta Materials, succeeded Poole as Foundation Chair in March of 2000.
The Foundation is conducting a capital campaign to raise at least five million dollars for an endowment to fund system wide efforts on behalf of community colleges. Endowment income will be used to improve the effectiveness of the System; promote the benefits of community colleges; and educate, reward and motivate executive leadership and faculty to lead North Carolina's community colleges into becoming the most effective, efficient educational institutions in the nation. To date, the Foundation has raised more than $3 million in pledges and contributions.
The North Carolina Community College System, with more than 747,000 students, is the third largest community college system in the United States. It includes 58 comprehensive community colleges and the North Carolina Center for Applied Textile Technology. The System is the state’s primary agency for delivery of job training, literacy and adult education programs.
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