Montgomery County Community College Foundation’s new philanthropic partnership, Circle of Partners, raised more than $163,000 in just the first 24 hours.

The Foundation – which helps students struggling to pay for tuition, instructional-related costs and essential needs such as rent and child care – announced the Circle of Partners during a virtual fundraising event, Montco on the Rise.

A generous, anonymous donor matched each donation dollar for dollar, up to $50,000 in the first 24 hours. With the intention of raising $100,000, the Foundation was thrilled to find they had surpassed their goal at the end of the day.

“We’re grateful for the outpouring of support and generosity of the founding members of the Circle of Partners,” said Jay Browning, MCCC Vice President of Advancement.

“In 2019-2020, our students had a total unmet financial need of more than $62 million. We are off to a strong start in addressing that need.”

During the event, attendees heard from MCCC’s President Dr. Victoria Bastecki-Perez as well as MCCC Foundation Board Chair Joe Gallagher, and several student testimonies speaking on how MCCC has helped them overcome challenges and reach their goals.

Blessing Osazuwa endured many hardships leading up to her enrollment in classes at MCCC, including homelessness, the loss of both her mother and her younger sister, and sexual assault.

After dropping out of a four-year college, she worked several jobs before pursuing her degree in music at MCCC with a new determination. At a point in her journey when she began to struggle financially, her professor connected her to the financial aid office and the campus food pantry.

“Although I had some personal challenges, I ended the semester with a 3.9 GPA. After that, I applied for institutional scholarships and received two – the Montco Foundation Scholarship and the Billie Joe Loeben Music Scholarship,” said Osazuwa.

Osazuwa graduated summa cum laude this year from MCCC, and was accepted to Columbia University where she is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in music online.

“I would not have been able to attain my degree without that help, and I am greatly appreciative of it,” said Osazuwa.

The Foundation also will accept gifts of other amounts since every donation will help students. Find more information and make a donation here.