Pasco-Hernando State College Volume XIII, Issue I - Spring 2019 | Page 5

N A T I O N A L Philanthropy FOUNDATION NEWS D A Y L ast November, the Nature Coast Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals hosted their eighth annual National Philanthropy Day ® luncheon to honor and celebrate local philanthropists. The PHSC Foundation nominated Duke Energy Foundation who was named Philanthropic Corporation of the Year. The Duke Energy Foundation invests over $30 million annually to support community needs where Duke Energy employees and customers live and work. For the second year, the Duke Energy Foundation funded their annual PHSC scholarship to assist over 30 first generation in college students. The PHSC Foundation also nominated Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative (WREC) Educational Foundation in recognition of their continued community support and philanthropic efforts. Valuing the importance of education, WREC has continually invested in PHSC students and staff. In 1993, they established the WREC Faculty Chair fund to support PHSC faculty academic growth and development. The fund enables College faculty opportunities to gain field experience, develop innovative teaching strategies or conduct research to enhance student learning. Recently PHSC received a $25,000 WREC Foundation contribution. A designated portion of the gift goes to prepaid Take Stock in Children scholarships and the remainder is unrestricted. Additionally, the PHSC Foundation nominated the Hernando County Sheriff’s Charities for Philanthropic Service Organization of the Year. This organization raises money and provides volunteers to develop positive character and social values in Hernando County youth. They support the PHSC Take Stock in Children and Concept College programs and annually sponsor several community service scholarships. Every year these programs assist more than 600 at-risk youth in building high school completion confidence and promote higher education, eventually leading to sustainable careers. Also nominated by the PHSC Foundation for Philanthropic Service Organization of the Year was Make a Difference, Inc. Established in 2007, Make a Difference stands apart through their unique desire to connect nonprofits and effectively solve community issues. Monthly, they serve hundreds of east Pasco families through their Mobile Food Pantry, and have been instrumental in opening a recently established pantry at PHSC’s East Campus in Dade City. SPRING 2019 5