About the HCCC Foundation

A Look At Where It All Began

The Hudson County Community College Foundation was started in 1997 to develop a community of supporters who would assist all Hudson County residents in obtaining a college education, and to provide the College with seed money for its development.

Thanks to the diligence of our Board of Directors and the generosity of our benefactors, the HCCC Foundation has provided more than 1,000 students with scholarships since its founding. Additionally, many of the development programs for the College’s faculty and staff are funded solely — or in part — by the Foundation, which has also contributed to the College’s incredible physical expansion.

The Foundation’s operations are overseen by the College’s Vice President for Development under the administration of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, who give generously of their time, talents and resources.

An Unwavering Supporter of the College and its Students 

Hudson County Community College has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years, recording many notable achievements. Over the past year, more than 1,500 students graduated, a college-record, six HCCC students were nominated as semi-finalists for the Jack Kent Cook Foundation Award, and the cutting edge Hudson Scholars program won the prestigious 2023 National Bellwether Award for Instructional Programs and Services. Behind the scenes, the Hudson County Community College Foundation is working tirelessly to promote HCCC and its students and to provide the financial resources needed to fuel this growth.  

The HCCC Foundation is committed to the belief that all Hudson County residents should be afforded the opportunity to acquire a college education and enjoy the lifelong benefits and transformative power of higher education. To make this vision a reality, the HCCC Foundation works to find and secure the funding that provides scholarships for students, seed money for new and innovative programs like Hudson Scholars, stipends for faculty development, capital to assist the College in its physical expansion, and resources to address the basic needs of our HCCC community members and students beyond the classroom.

Just as the College has made great strides in recent years, so has the HCCC Foundation. Under the leadership of Vice President for Advancement and Communications Nicole Bouknight Johnson and Chair Monica McCormack-Casey, the Foundation has built upon its previous success and evolved into a high-powered philanthropic apparatus by implementing modern best practices and procedures.  

Total funding raised for scholarships has grown significantly in recent years and is trending up again in 2023-2024. From 2021-2022 to 2022-23, scholarship funding increased 57% year over year from $133,509 to $209,666. This year, the Foundation is on track to outpace last year’s growth and revenue generation continues to gain momentum; net revenue is up $450,000 over May 2022. Since last summer, new endowments were established with supporting Memorandums of Understanding.

The Foundation also produces popular events including the HCCC Foundation Golf Outing, Night at the Races, the upcoming Foundation Gala in collaboration with our culinary arts colleagues, and other celebratory events such as the donor scholar reception. The Subscription Dining Series has become a highly anticipated fixture on Jersey City’s social calendar each fall and spring. These events are enjoying increased popularity in recent years, and attendance now exceeds pre-pandemic levels. In addition to fostering a sense of community and connection, these events generate funding for the College.

These high-profile events are the most visible and public-facing aspect of the Foundation, but there is also plenty of work that goes on behind the scenes. The Foundation is adapting to the evolving philanthropic landscape by adopting new policies and procedures. The Foundation Board implemented its first ever investment policy and the Foundation also adopted its first Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality Policy as well as a new Endowment policy last year. As funding has grown, the Foundation hired a part-time bookkeeper to manage its finances, and the Board’s Finance Committee implemented a number of new reports. These changes have all increased transparency and professionalized the way the Foundation’s finances are handled, transforming it into a dynamic and modern philanthropic organization.

Additionally, donors can now give to HCCC in more ways than ever before. A new, secure online platform makes giving a quick and seamless process, and the Foundation can now accept gifts of stocks and ETFs for the first time. The volume of annual appeals has increased, and employee giving is now a point of pride, as evidenced by the success of College Service Day.  

Meanwhile, the Foundation is also the driving force behind the HCCC Foundation Art Collection, which has grown from just a few dozen pieces to an impressive collection of over 1,800 works of art in a short time span. Not only is the artwork used for teaching purposes, it enriches the lives of HCCC’s students and the entire community. The Collection isn’t under lock and key -- students walk through a curated collection of pieces by renowned artists on their way to class each day. Recently, the HCCC Foundation Art Collection secured the donation of four lithographs by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, which instantly joined the ranks of the most important pieces in the Collection given the artist’s stature and influence.

Beyond these milestones, the impact of the HCCC Foundation can be seen in the thousands of students it has helped over the years. The Foundation has awarded nearly $4 million in scholarships to over 2,000 deserving students over the years.

While HCCC has changed in many ways over the years, the HCCC Foundation has always been there as an unwavering supporter of the College and its students. Now, with new policies and procedures, a dedicated and talented Foundation Board, and renewed momentum in fundraising, the Foundation looks forward to making a difference in the lives of future HCCC students for many years to come.

No Gift Is Too Small...

Each year, there are several opportunities for individuals, businesses and organizations to participate in Foundation fundraising activities. The Board of Directors plan and hold four major annual fundraisers and there are also opportunities for donors to contribute to special projects and events. Learn about the giving opportunities for the HCCC Foundation.

Ways to Give

As a 501 (c) 3 corporation, the Hudson County Community College Foundation provides tax-exempt status to contributions.

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Contact Information

nicolebjohnsonFREEHUDSONCOUNTYCOMMUNITYCOLLEGE