WCC Foundation

What We Do

The WCC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which exists solely to support and advance the objectives of Wilkes Community College by raising funds. The WCC Foundation consists of 23 volunteer board of directors.

The foundation’s purpose is to provide funds for scholarships, capital projects, staff and faculty development, and the beautification of Wilkes Community College.

Giving to the WCC Foundation is an investment in our students, faculty, staff, and community.

Wilkes Community College Foundation
PO Box 120
Wilkesboro, NC 28697

Tax ID # 23-7338790
Wells Fargo Advisors
Account #8998-6211
DTC -0141

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Current Donations to Annual Fund Drive

Current Donations to Keys to Success Campaign

Annual Fund Drive

Annual Fund Drive

Giving to the annual fund is an easy and convenient way to show your support for the students, faculty, and staff.

The annual fund drive supports the Doc Watson Student Emergency Fund, GED & HiSet Scholarship, WCC Food Pantry, WCC SkillsUSA, WCC Study Abroad, and donations for unrestricted dollars are always welcome.

Donations are crucial to the success of the Annual Fund Drive. Every Gift Counts! Please consider making a gift that has meaning to you!

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Contact Information

WCC Education Promise Campaign

WCC Education Promise Campaign

WCC Education Promise is a two-year, last-dollar scholarship designed to ensure every qualifying student graduating from high school in Wilkes, Ashe, and Alleghany can get a college degree from Wilkes Community College tuition-free.

The last dollar scholarship design works just how it sounds – it covers that last dollar to tuition and fees not covered by state and federal grants and other scholarships.

Establishment for this scholarship was made possible by the WAW Scholarship Endowment board of directors and Diane and Larry Stone, of Wilkesboro NC. Continued funding for the scholarship is raised by the Wilkes Community College Foundation to fully endow the scholarship.

Increasing the education level of our community has several benefits:

Benefits to individuals:
- Higher incomes
- Better health
- Higher job satisfaction
- Lower chance of unemployment
Benefits to communities:
- Enhanced economic mobility
- Strong workforce for local business and industry
- Stronger economic development potential

Campaign Goal

Estimating about 135 recipients per year, we project the annual cost of the program to be around $350,000. To fully endow the program so it exists in perpetuity in our community, we are looking to raise $8.5 million.

Education Promise Giving Levels

Founder: $1,000,000 +
Visionary: $500,000 – $999,999
Advocate: $100,000 – $499,999
Chairman: $50,000 – $99,999
Investor: $10,000 – $49,999
Ambassador: $1,000 – $9,999
Friends of the Foundation: $25 – $999

Your gift is appreciated.

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Thank You to Our Major Donors!

WAW Scholarship Endowment
Diane & Larry Stone
Carol Madge Shepherd
Wilkes County

Funds from the WAW Scholarship Golf Tournament held each September, will benefit the WCC Education Promise. For more information on WAW Scholarship Golf Tournament click the Foundation Events tab.

Contact Information

For more information on giving, please contact:

Keys to Success

Keys to Success

The Keys to Success Campaign raises funds annually for two new scholarship opportunities that support the college-wide strategic plan which includes scholarships, completion, and equity.

Supported By:

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit merlefest.org/megaraffle.

Contact Information

Scholarships / Programs

WCC Foundation Scholarships

Each year Wilkes Community College Foundation awards scholarships to help students begin or continue their education and to recognize outstanding academic accomplishments. Funding for these scholarships are raised by the Wilkes Community College Foundation annually.

The WCC Foundation’s priority project is the Keys to Success Campaign, which raises funds annually to support the Presidential Scholarship and the WCC SAGE Fellows program.

Support WCC Scholarships

WCC Education Promise

WCC Education Promise is a two-year, last-dollar scholarship designed to ensure every qualifying student graduating from high school in Wilkes, Ashe and Alleghany can get a college degree from Wilkes Community College tuition-free.

The last dollar scholarship design works just how it sounds – it covers that last dollar to tuition and fees not covered by state and federal grants and other scholarships.

This scholarship was created in support of the college-wide strategic plan which includes scholarships, completion, and equity.

Click here for more information about eligibility and how to apply.

Support this Scholarship Program

Presidential Scholarship

The WCC Foundation is proud to introduce the establishment of the Presidential Scholarship. This prestigious scholarship supports high-achieving students who demonstrate financial need and are committed to earning a Wilkes Community College degree. Students who are selected will receive a $2,000 scholarship per academic year.

This scholarship was created in support of the college-wide strategic plan which includes scholarships, completion, and equity and is part of the Keys to Success Campaign. Funding for the scholarship is raised by the Wilkes Community College Foundation annually.

Who is Eligible?

Students enrolled full-time (12 hours minimum)
Students having an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher
Students who demonstrate financial need and complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Students who are committed to completing a WCC degree

How to Apply

The Presidential Scholarship is a renewable scholarship. Applications are selected each year and the deadline is July 1. To apply:

Go to https://wilkescc.academicworks.com/.
Sign in using your Wilkes Community College student credentials and complete the General Application.
Click on the opportunities tab, then click on the blue ‘Apply’ button next to the WCC Presidential Scholarship.
(Note: The apply button will only appear if you meet the minimum criteria of 12+ hours and an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher.)
Complete the supplemental essay questions by the July 1 deadline.

For questions, please contact:

Support this Scholarship Program

SAGE Fellows Program

The WCC SAGE Fellows is a scholarship program that provides students with academic and financial support. It was established to remove barriers and guide students on a successful path toward graduation and career opportunities. Application deadline is March of each year. Interviews will be conducted in April of each year.

This scholarship was created in support of the college-wide strategic plan which includes scholarships, completion, and equity and is part of the Keys to Success Comprehensive Campaign. Funding for the scholarship is raised by the Wilkes Community College Foundation annually.

Benefits

$4,000 scholarship over two years
Laptop
Dedicated advisor and peer mentor
Success and Study Skills
Class with your SAGE Fellows community
Access to all SAGE services
Exciting leadership development activities and opportunities

Who is Eligible?

Sage Fellows must meet the following requirements:

Enroll full-time at WCC (12 hours minimum)
Participate in program requirements
Attend the Summer Welcome Event in August
Live in Wilkes, Ashe, or Alleghany counties
Complete English and Math for first year
Meet regularly with advisor and peer mentor
Maintain good academic standing

Preference will be given to applicants who are first in their family to go to college or who experience financial barriers to college enrollment.

For questions concerning the program, please contact:

Support this Scholarship Program

Step Up Leadership Scholarship

The Step Up Leadership Scholarship is a scholarship program designed to assist students enrolled full time at Wilkes Community College who demonstrate financial need with an opportunity to develop social and leadership skills through lunch and learn sessions, mentorships, and career preparation.

The scholarship is funded by the WCC Foundation Henry Moore Scholarship Golf Classic held each October.

Benefits

$1,000 per year scholarship
Leadership activities and opportunities
Mentorship and meetings with President Jeff Cox twice a year
Opportunities to participate in special events associated with Wilkes Community College as designated by the scholarship coordinator
Exam survival kits and more

Who is Eligible?

Current high school student (2 selected from each school in our service area)
Students enrolled full-time (12 hours minimum)
Students having an unweighted GPA of 2.8 or higher (2.5 GPA to renew for the second year)
Students who demonstrate financial need and complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Students who are committed to completing program requirements

How To Apply

The Step Up Leadership Scholarship is a renewable scholarship. Applications are selected each year and the deadline is July 1. To apply:

Go to https://wilkescc.academicworks.com/.
Sign in using your Wilkes Community College student credentials and complete the General Application.

For questions, please contact:

For more information about the Henry Moore Scholarship Golf Classic, contact:

Support this Scholarship Program

Endowed and General Scholarships

These scholarships are provided through the generosity of private donors or organizations in our community who support our students, programs, and our mission.  Donors may establish an endowment or fund a scholarship annually to acknowledge the needs of our students at Wilkes Community College .

If you are interested in establishing a scholarship, please contact:

Ways to Give

Ways to Give

Cash Gifts

Cash gifts are the most direct way to give to the Wilkes Community College Foundation. Cash gifts can be used to support annual fund campaigns, capital campaigns, scholarships, and special events. Cash gifts made by check should be payable to Wilkes Community College Foundation, PO Box 120, Wilkesboro, NC 28697.

Matching Gifts

What is better than one gift? A gift that has doubled. A great way to leverage your gift is to ask your employer to match your gift through a matching gift program. Credit is given to both the donor and the company when the matching gift is received.

Gifts of Securities

Gifts of securities (stocks and bonds) are becoming a more popular way to give. If you are making a gift of securities, please contact Allison Phillips at 336-838-6491 with details of the stock or mutual fund you are giving. This ensures that your gift is properly received. To make the transaction for the transfer of funds, contact Linda Gregory, Wells Fargo Securities Advisor, at 336-667-1291.

Account #8998-6211
DTC 0141
Federal Tax ID: 23-7338790

Planned Giving

Planned giving allows an individual to have a lasting influence on Wilkes Community College. The most common form is a bequest, which is a gift made through a will or living trust. A donor can designate a specific dollar amount or a percentage of the estate.

Naming Opportunities

Want to leave a lasting legacy at Wilkes Community College? Naming a building, other physical structures, outdoor structures, or scholarships can be a wonderful way to honor someone. Financial requirements for naming opportunities differ. For more information, contact:

Planned Giving Program

The Wilkes Community College Heritage Society honors friends who contribute to the vision and success of their community college by including our institution in planned giving. Eligibility is extended to any donor that includes a personal gift to the college in their long-range or estate plans through gifts of cash, property, stock, insurance policies, individual retirement gifts or other assets.

Ways to Give

Bequests: make a gift in your will
Charitable Remainder Trust: pays you income based on the asset value
Charitable Gift Annuity: your transferred assets benefit your favored charity and you through life income payments
Charitable Lead Trust: provides for WCC as well as your children
Donor Advised Fund: simple and flexible, provides immediate tax benefits but you still have input on future disbursements
Retained Life Estate: one of your valued possessions, your home, can become a valued gift even while you are living in it

What to Give

Cash: simplest way to give
Securities: the best securities to donate are appreciated stocks
Life Insurance: name WCC as a beneficiary
Real Estate: if you own your property that is paid off, you can transfer this asset to a beneficiary but still live in it
Retirement Plan Assets: reduce tax to heirs by naming WCC as a beneficiary

How to Give

When you are ready to make a gift:

Talk to your financial advisor or estate planning attorney to decide what you want to give and the way you want to give it.
Contact:

Allison Phillips, BS
VP of Institutional Advancement; Executive Director, WCC Foundation
Phone: 336-838-6491
alphillips068@wilkescc.edu
Tell others about the benefits of planned giving: Extend your reach into the future by giving gifts that will endure beyond your lifetime. Obtain immediate and/or tax benefits. Receive life income benefits with certain gifts.

Your name and/or the person(s) you wish to honor will be placed on the Heritage Society Plaque that is mounted in the Lakey Ballroom of the John A. Walker Center.

Foundation Events

Foundation Events

Scholarship Gala

The WCC Scholarship Gala is held annually at the John A. Walker Center. The 2021 event will include cocktail hour with dinner, desserts, and a dance immediately following. Entertainment will be provided by the band “Bounce”.

Proceeds from this event support the Keys to Success Campaign. For more questions or more information, please contact:

Henry Moore Scholarship Golf Classic

Wilkes Community College Foundation’s 37th Annual Henry Moore Scholarship Golf Classic was a great success! Since 1984, this event has contributed $711,610 to Wilkes Community College in memory of Henry Moore. This year’s proceeds totaled over $46,000 and will provide scholarships to students who participate in the WCC Step Up Leadership program. Window World, Inc. was lead sponsor for the tournament held at Oakwoods Country Club.

2020 Winners

2020 Team Photos

History

Henry Moore was a strong supporter of Wilkes Community College and instrumental in the establishment of Oakwoods Country Club. He had a significant role in the planning of WCC’s first golf tournament with the help of the layout and details of the event. Henry was also the first player to sign up to play. Unfortunately, Henry Moore passed away a few months prior to the first tournament in 1984. Saddened by the loss of a great friend and supporter, the college named the tournament the Henry Moore Golf Classic in his memory.

The golf classic supports the Step Up Leadership Scholarship program. Each year players, sponsors and volunteers support the tournament in helping with the educational journey of WCC students through leadership seminars, mentorships, and career preparations!

The golf tournament is held the first Thursday of October each year.

Contact Us

For information on sponsorships or participating in the Henry Moore Scholarship Golf Classic in 2021, contact:

MerleFest

MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of Eddy Merle Watson as a fundraiser for Wilkes Community College and to celebrate ‘traditional plus’ music.

We are about the MUSIC, MOMENTS and MEMORIES!

Visit the official MerleFest website for ticket information, sponsor and volunteer opportunities!

WAW Scholarship Golf Tournament

Wilkes Community College Foundation will hold the 21st Annual WAW Scholarship Golf Tournament on September 23, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. at Jefferson Landing. The WAW Scholarship Golf Tournament supports the WCC Foundation Education Promise Scholarship Program.

The golf tournament is held in September each year.