Dearborn,  MI - Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) announced today the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) will grant Monroe County Community College (MCCC) more than $1.6 million over five years to help with fund raising and grant proposal development.  These funds will give the College the tools it needs to be innovative when it comes to finding other sources of financial assistance for student scholarships and endowments.

"We are working hard to make college more affordable," Dingell said. "This grant will help position MCCC to keep costs down for needy students far into the future.  When I was a boy, you could get a good job out of grade school. Then you could get a good job out of high school. Now you can get a good job out of college - maybe.  We need to invest in institutions like MCCC that not only provides the tools to the next generation of workers, but helps re-train displaced workers looking to make career changes and get a fresh start." 

Dr. David Nixon, president of Monroe County Community College, said the $1.6 million "will give the college the tools it needs to be innovative when it comes to finding other resources for student scholarships, strategic planning initiatives, and endowments. While this funding does not go to students directly right now, it provides a foundation for assuring MCCC's ability to allocate the resources necessary for advancing quality education well into the 21st century."

The grant funds will be used to hire new project personnel including a coordinator of annual giving and alumni affairs that will be responsible for the planning and execution of comprehensive annual giving and alumni relations programming and provide support for the scholarship program. Additionally, a coordinator of advancement research and prospect management will be hired to develop prospecting methodologies and strategies to support organizational fundraising; manage data and provide research analysis to support grant writing efforts and institutional planning. Finally, a half-time grant bookkeeper will be hired in year three to help manage federal, state, and local grant programs (both public and private); coordinate and monitor annual independent audit of grants; and provide training to staff involved in grant or contracted programs to ensure compliance.

Moving forward, the grant will fund equipment, training and consulting services over the five year grant period.    

"It could not have come at a better time - just when we saw state and local funding starting to dry up," said Dr. Nixon. "This Title III grant elevates MCCC's fund raising department to a new level. The timing of the award is uncanny just as the economic crisis began to hit MCCC students.

 "Credit goes to MCCC's fund raising team of Sue Wetzel and Beth Kohler who wrote for the grant two years ago in anticipation of a time when state budget cuts and a property tax slump would threaten the financial well-being of colleges like MCCC. Now we've got the tools to develop resources to help MCCC navigate through the state and local economic storm."

 Mr. Dingell added: "MCCC is an incredible institution, nationally recognized for the work it does. I'm pleased Dr. Nixon and his team will have these additional resources to continue the good work they do."