Champions of the College & 1972 Society

The OCCC Foundation has established two new giving societies to honor gifts from generous supporters. Each has unique benefits and giving levels. 

Champions of the College

If your gift equals $120 or more a year (that’s $4.62 for bi-weekly employees and $10 a pay period for monthly employees through payroll deduction), you will receive:

• A special edition OCCC Faculty/Staff T-shirt, which you may wear every Friday during July
• Entry in a drawing for 2 tickets for a performance at the Visual & Performing Arts Center Theater 

1972 Society

The 1972 Society is a new program to honor donors who support the college with gifts of at least $1,000 annually. The program is dedicated to building unrestricted funds, and you can give all of the $1,000 to the College Greatest Needs fund or you can designate half to a program of your choice.

For employees paid bi-weekly, that’s $38.46 deducted per pay period and $83.33 per paycheck for monthly employees through payroll deduction. There are a variety of benefits offered to members of the 1972 Society:

• All the benefits of the Champions of the College
• You can give all of your gift as unrestricted, or you can designate half to the area of your choice
• You’ll be invited to a private reception and provided tickets for the new “President’s Performance” at the Visual & Performing Arts Center Theater
• You’ll also receive invitations to special events on campus
• You’ll be kept up-to-date with the quarterly “President’s Report” from President Steward

Unrestricted Giving Q&As

What is an unrestricted gift? An unrestricted gift is a very helpful contribution since it allows the College to determine what the "greatest need" is and use unencumbered funds from donors to address the needs. Often, opportunities arise where funds are necessary to accomplish a College priority, but we cannot use state funds for that purpose or that item was not included in the budget.

What are some examples of expenses paid for with unrestricted gifts?

 Scholarships, grants, speakers, professional travel, program expenses or any other priority that helps achieve the College's goals could be funded through unrestricted giving. For example, it is anticipated that the new OCCC Food Pantry may receive startup assistance from unrestricted funds. Some expenses of the OCCC Foundation, like paying for our accountant and auditor, are funded through unrestricted giving.

How can I be assured my gift is used well?

 Several reasons, including the fact that unrestricted money is often limited, so it is used sparingly and only for important reasons. All funds administered by the OCCC Foundation are reviewed to ensure they meet all legal and ethical criteria, as well as the policies established by the Board of Trustees of the Foundation. The Foundation is audited annually to help ensure that gifts are used appropriately.