Today, the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation (MCCF) and Maricopa Community Colleges launched EmpowerED for Student Success—a three-year, $20 million fundraising campaign designed to help students overcome financial barriers and achieve their educational dreams. This bold initiative is a critical step toward ensuring that every student in Maricopa County has access to higher education and the opportunity to thrive in and beyond college.
What’s New
Funds raised by the campaign will support each of the system’s 10 individual college initiatives and four focus areas: scholarships and stipends—including dedicated scholarships for the system’s highly successful bachelor’s degree programs, basic needs resources, workforce development, and innovative programming to sustain existing College Promise Programs.
“As an open-access institution, we are committed to ensuring higher education is affordable and accessible to any student that chooses our colleges as their learning community,” said Dr. Steven R. Gonzales, Maricopa Community Colleges Chancellor. “The ability to pay for expenses outside of tuition is often the most challenging for many of our students. This campaign will not only meet students' educational and financial needs but also address the critical workforce shortage by preparing them to be job-ready.”
Tomorrow Needs Us Today
Arizona is facing a severe labor shortage. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of July, nearly 170,000 jobs remain unfilled across the state. The biggest hurdle—candidates lack the necessary skills needed for these positions. By 2031, the number of good jobs in the U.S. is expected to grow 21% from 72.6 million to 87.8 million. These jobs will require some form of postsecondary education. As the leading provider of workforce training in the state, the 10-college system and MCCF remain focused on preparing a pipeline of skilled workers to strengthen the growing region’s economic prosperity.
“The EmpowerED campaign is different from our established fundraising initiatives because it’s unique in its timing,” said Brian Spicker, MCCF President and CEO. “Today, students face challenges very different from what we witnessed a decade ago. This campaign helps our students cross the finish line, and that goal is vital because many of our students stay within our local communities. Earning a certificate or degree is the first step in their journey to help build the community we all want to live in.”
Bridging the Funding Gap
Nationwide, community colleges enroll 41% of all U.S. undergraduates, yet these institutions receive only a fraction of philanthropic support compared to traditional four-year colleges and universities. In 2023, just 1.5% of the $58 billion in donations to higher education went to community colleges.
“There’s no more crucial opportunity than now,” continued Spicker. “The strength of the Foundation and Maricopa Community Colleges is that we bring together our colleges, business and industry, donors, and community partners in support of transforming the lives of others."
To date, MCCF has raised $9.3 million from generous lead gifts from industry, foundation, community, education, and municipal partners who have paved the way with significant contributions to jumpstart the campaign. In addition to traditional fundraising efforts, the campaign actively engages employees, system leaders, philanthropists, community partners, business and industry, and community members by empowering donors to contribute in ways that resonate with their values and interests—fostering a deeper connection between supporters and the cause.
“We are going to be successful no matter what,” said Gonzales. “Whether we reach our goal or exceed it, each dollar represents one additional student we have the power to impact. The question isn’t just how can I donate, but will you join us in making education accessible for everyone?”
To learn more about fundraising initiatives, read the case for support, and make a charitable, tax-deductible donation, visit https://www.mcccdf.org/empowered/.