The University System of Georgia (USG) Foundation has awarded the Foundations of South Georgia State College (SGSC) with a Capacity Building Grant in the amount of $75,000 over the next three years. The funding will assist the SGSC Foundation and the James M. Dye Foundation with the planning phase of the college’s first-ever capital campaign that will support priorities in SGSC’s 2019-2024 Moving Forward strategic plan. The campaign will be based on the college’s goals of developing existing and new academic programs as determined by the needs of the workforce and community; recruiting and retaining talented and diverse faculty and staff; improving student success as measured by course completion, retention, graduation and transfer rates; and collaborating with the community and region to establish and develop partnerships for educational purposes.
SGSC has experienced a resurgence of community support over the past year with the newly created Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) and the college’s existing seven baccalaureate programs. The Foundations of SGSC have laid the groundwork with the community and local industries within the institution’s eight-county service region. This work and the USG Foundation’s grant will help to further the cultivation of relationships in support of the campaign.
SGSC’s three-year plan will include steps required to formulate the framework for a successful capital campaign. A feasibility study will be performed to determine key fundraising priorities before moving into the next phase of developing campaign strategies and initiatives which will lead to asking donors for support. The Foundations of SGSC anticipate an increase in giving to the institution as a result of the campaign, leading to growth in financial support for the SGSC community.
“Receiving this Capacity Building Grant from the University System of Georgia Foundation will allow us to focus on raising funds for the success of our SGSC students and the institution,” explains Dr. Greg Tanner, vice president of advancement, government relations and athletics. “This will enable us to strengthen our ability to fulfill our mission and positively impact the lives of our students.”
Taylor Hereford, senior advancement officer and Waycross campus director, adds “To be selected for this grant by the USG Foundation is quite an honor. We are grateful for the Foundation’s endorsement of our plan to further support SGSC through the future accomplishments of our campaign.”