Published 10/09/2026
BRCC Educational Foundation Celebrates a Historic Year of Generosity and Impact
As the new fiscal year gains momentum, the BRCC Educational Foundation is taking time to celebrate an extraordinary year of generosity, growth, and impact.
We extend our tremendous appreciation to Dinah Gottschalk and Paula Moore-McClure, who completed six years of service on the Foundation Board on June 30. While we thank them for their leadership and commitment, we look forward to their continued involvement with Blue Ridge Community College and the BRCC Educational Foundation for years to come.
A Record-Breaking Year
Thanks to the dedication of our donors, board members, and community partners, the BRCC Educational Foundation raised a historic $3,257,116 during fiscal year 2025-26, the highest total in the Foundation’s 41-year history. This remarkable achievement was driven, in large part, by two significant estate gifts realized during the year.
The Foundation also exceeded several key fundraising goals:
- The Blue Ridge Fund generated $233,685 in annual gifts, surpassing its goal while also achieving 100% participation from members of both the Foundation and College Boards.
- In April, the fourth annual Casino Royale: All In for BRCC returned to the Student Recreation Center venue. The Foundation’s signature fundraising event reached new levels of donor engagement and community enthusiasm, generating nearly $80,000 in net proceeds to support the mission of BRCC.
Combined with strong investment performance, this generosity helped the Foundation’s total assets grow to a record $27,527,165 as of June 30, 2026.
Investing in Student Success and Workforce Development
Every dollar raised has made a meaningful difference across the BRCC community, supporting students, faculty, academic programs, and workforce initiatives throughout our service region.
Record Scholarship Support
During the 2025-26 academic year, the Foundation awarded a new high of $602,722 in scholarships to 418 students. The majority of awards were based on demonstrated financial need, helping reduce barriers to higher education and workforce training. Through donor-supported scholarships, the Foundation continues to advance student achievement, educational equity, and economic mobility across the region.
Strengthening Academic and Workforce Programs
The Foundation provided $304,167 in salary reimbursement support to Blue Ridge Community College for faculty and staff positions that strengthen workforce development and student success initiatives. Funding supported high-demand programs including:
- Nursing
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
- Agriculture
- Allied Health
- CompTIA certification training
- High school career coaching services
These investments help recruit and retain talented professionals, expand educational opportunities, strengthen workforce pipelines, and connect students with high-demand careers.
Enhancing Hands-On Learning
To ensure students train on industry-relevant equipment, the Foundation invested $155,584 in equipment purchases supporting programs such as:
- Commercial Driving School
- Electronics Technology
- Veterinary Technology
- Nursing
- Administration of Justice
- Allied Healthcare
Supporting Student Wellness and Success
Recognizing that student success extends beyond the classroom, the Foundation invested $18,512 in wrap-around support services for students experiencing food insecurity. Through the SOAR (Student Outreach and Resource) Center and its Lunch2Go program, students received grocery cards and lunch vouchers to help meet basic needs and stay focused on their educational goals.
Covering Professional Licensing Exam Costs
Generous donor support enabled the Foundation to cover NCLEX examination fees for 49 Nursing graduates and Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) fees for 38 Veterinary Technology graduates, reducing financial barriers as students transition into professional careers. Funding has also been secured to cover EMS licensure examination costs during the 2026-27 academic year.
Encouraging Meaningful Connections
Through the Foundation’s Strategic Innovation Grant process, funding was provided for the Making Connections Series, coordinated by the Student Success Center. This initiative is designed to improve retention and completion rates, particularly among first-time-in-college students, by helping learners build stronger connections to campus resources and their peers.
Looking Ahead
None of these accomplishments would be possible without the collective investment of time, talent, and treasure from our exceptional Board of Directors, generous donors, and community supporters. Together, we are transforming lives and strengthening our region through education. As we progress in the fiscal year, we do so with gratitude and a steadfast commitment to advancing the mission of Blue Ridge Community College and empowering student success!