Welcome to the Southwest Community College Foundation
Since its reestablishment in 2006, the SMCC Foundation has been dedicated to shaping the future of our students and community by supporting Southwest Mississippi Community College in various ways.
The Foundation is governed by an independent Board of Directors made up of distinguished community and business leaders who represent the social and economic makeup of Southwest Mississippi. This volunteer board directs the activities of the Foundation and ensures its funds are being used to support the Foundation’s mission.
Our mission is to enhance educational opportunities by:
- Providing scholarships to students, ensuring that financial barriers don’t stand in the way of achieving their academic dreams.
- Funding campus improvements and contributing to building projects that foster a vibrant learning environment.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the Foundation has empowered countless students to continue their education. Together, we are making a lasting impact, one student at a time.
Join us in creating opportunities and changing lives for the next generation.
The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions to the Foundation are deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Contact Information:
Leanne Andrews
The SMCC Foundation, Inc.
1156 College Drive
Summit, MS 39666
landrews@smcc.edu
601.276.4809
Establishing A Scholarship
The SMCC Foundation Scholarship Program exists to:
- Provide financial assistance for worthy and deserving SMCC students
- Promote academic excellence
- Recognize student leadership and achievements
Donations of any amount may be made to the General Scholarship Fund, which provides essential scholarship support for students. Many donors also choose to make memorial contributions to this fund, ensuring broader financial aid for students.
Annual scholarships can be established with a minimum donation of $500, to be deposited by March 15 each year. This allows the SMCC Scholarship Committee sufficient time to select recipients, who will be honored during Awards Day each spring. Donors will be invoiced annually to ensure the continuation of the scholarship.
Endowed scholarships provide ongoing support to students at SMCC. The interest generated from an endowment gift ensures that the scholarship benefits future students perpetually. A minimum of $25,000 is required to create an endowed scholarship, which can be given as a one-time payment or over three years. The fund must earn adequate interest before scholarships are awarded. Should the fund not reach the minimum within three years, the money will be transferred to the General Scholarship Fund. Endowments can be established as memorials or in honor of someone, with the donor working alongside the Foundation to create selection criteria.
Some donors prefer to establish scholarships in honor or memory of someone, to support a specific field of study, or simply out of a desire to assist SMCC students. Memorial/Honor scholarships can be established with a minimum of $2,500, and the donor can choose whether the scholarship should be awarded until the funds are depleted or renewed annually.
Scholarship Policies
- Recipients of scholarships are selected and approved by the SMCC Foundation Scholarship Committee based on established criteria, with final approval from the SMCC Foundation Board of Directors.
- Scholarship criteria to determine eligibility will be based on a written agreement between the donor and the SMCC Foundation, Inc.
- Donors’ relatives are ineligible for scholarships funded by their relative’s donation.
- Scholarship donations received after April 1 will be awarded the following year.
- Endowed scholarship funds are invested and managed by the SMCC Foundation Board of Directors.
- Memorial scholarships with balances under $5,000 will be transferred to the General Scholarship Fund after two years unless there is a commitment for annual contributions to meet the minimum requirements.
the Impact of Giving
Making a charitable gift to SMCC is a deeply personal and fulfilling decision. By contributing, you are not only investing in the education of current SMCC students but also playing a vital role in shaping the future of our campus and community.
Apply for a Foundation Scholarship
Scholarships awarded by the SMCC Foundation are made possible by the generous gifts of our individual donors. The application period will open in January with a deadline of March 15 each year.
Each application MUST include the following in order to be considered:
- Completed application form
- Completed FAFSA application (www.fafsa.gov) SMCC code: 002436
- Personal letter (500 words or more) detailing future education and career plans along with reason for applying for a Foundation scholarship.
- Resume
Complete applications may be hand delivered to the Foundation Director’s office located upstairs in the Holmes Student Union or emailed to landrews@smcc.edu.
Scholarships are awarded for the Fall and Spring semesters of the following academic year unless otherwise noted
Recipients will receive a notification letter and acceptance form by mail. Recipients will be required to return the acceptance form and thank you note by a set deadline in order for the scholarship award to be finalized.
Opportunities For Giving
The Southwest Mississippi Community College Foundation welcomes your one- time gifts, annual contributions or payroll deduction of ANY amount. Ongoing support from alumni, business and industry, college faculty and staff create lasting changes in the community and ensure Southwest Mississippi Community College’s standard of excellence in the future.
Areas of Giving Consideration
Commemorative giving offers a unique opportunity to leave a lasting legacy at the college. Whether through named scholarships, endowed funds, or facility naming opportunities, donors can honor loved ones or create a personal legacy that will impact future generations. A named facility serves as a permanent tribute and a reminder of the difference your generosity makes.
The Foundation welcomes undesignated gifts to support the Foundation’s areas of greatest need. These contributions are managed under the direction of the Foundation’s board of directors. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated.
Scholarships can significantly impact our students’ lives. There are several ways to establish or contribute to a scholarship, including endowed, general, and annual scholarships. For more details, please visit our “Establish a Scholarship” page or contact landrews@smcc.edu.
Giving Methods
- Gifts of Cash
- Monthly Account or Card Drafts
- SMCC Payroll Deduction
- Planned Giving
Giving To The Foundation
SMCC Foundation Levels of Giving
- Bear | $20 – $499
- Bronze Bear | $500 – $999
- Silver Bear | $1,000 – $9,999
- Golden Bear | $10,000 – $19,999
- Platinum Bear | $20,000 and up
Imaginative Ways to Give to the SMCC Foundation
You don’t have to donate a building or give a huge donation to SMCC to be a part of the foundation. Every contribution counts, no matter how big or small. SMCC is thankful for any contribution you can make to help us provide the best educational experience we possibly can.
Here are some imaginative ways to give to the SMCC Foundation:
- Contribute to the Residence Hall Campaign
- Contribute to the Foundation’s General Fund
- Contribute to the Foundation’s General Scholarship Fund
- Contribute to the President’s Discretionary Fund
- Donate a piece of artwork to the College
- Purchase a band instrument
- Provide landscaping
- Purchase a computer
- Purchase a printer
- Purchase a scanner
- Purchase a digital camera
- Purchase an overhead projector
- Pay tuition for a worthy student
- Purchase books for a worthy student
- Purchase books and periodicals for the Library
- Provide funding for one of the campus organizations
The list could go on forever. If you would like to contribute to the SMCC Foundation, contact Foundation Director, Leanne Andrews, by email at landrews@smcc.edu or 601.276.4809.
All contributions made to the Southwest Mississippi Community College Foundation are tax deductible under IRS Code 501-C-3.
