Priority Giving Areas

We remain in need of scholarships for our curriculum and Workforce Continuing Education students. The main requirement is that funds need to be donated to the Foundation by March of each year to be awarded in the fall.

If an individual, company or organization wants to name the scholarship, they need to commit to at least two years. Scholarships can also be endowed.

Amount: $1,500 - $2,500 annually

The Rally Fund for Small Businesses was created to provide relief for active Small Business Center clients and graduates of the LaunchWakeCounty program.

Fostering Bright Futures is a public-private partnership that addresses the overwhelming need for a comprehensive support structure to assist foster youths in making the transition from the Wake County foster care system to independent young adulthood.

To help more students be ready to begin college level courses, Wake Tech has developed the Eagle Start Summer Bridge program, an eight-week program that accomplishes the following:

• Helps qualified students make early connections to Wake Tech faculty, staff, advisors and campus resources that will smooth their entry to college
• Provides instruction at no cost to participants that will allow them to complete up to six credit hours (two courses) in the summer prior to fully enrolling at Wake Tech in the fall
• Provides tutoring to help students level up in concepts and material they have struggled with and helps them make connections to access tutoring as they continue in their studies
• Connects students with a mentor and a Success Coach, as well as one another, to foster meaningful connections on campus
• Provides sessions such as career exploration activities and academic advising so that students can begin to make career plans and a plan toward graduation from Wake Tech

Funding is needed for laptops, supplies, tuition assistance and other wraparound services.

The college has formalized a long-standing relationship with Communities In School of Wake County (CIS) to collaborate on educational opportunities and pathways for CIS students – assisting them with entering Wake Tech programs and accessing support services they need to be successful.

• The college is already providing direct assistance to students – connecting them with financial aid representatives for guidance in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, as well as career advising and academic counseling services.
• The college will hold in-person and virtual workshops at CIS learning centers for both middle and high school students and parents to cover topics like college expectations, short-term workforce and academic programs, athletics options and how to connect with support services.
• CIS will provide work-study opportunities for students to mentor and tutor participants in the CIS program.
• Field trips to Wake Tech campuses allow CIS students to get a feel for campus life and make in-person connections with additional student resources. These are important outreach efforts to bring what we provide on campus out to CIS communities – increasing access and filling the confidence gaps for students and families.

Amount: $120,000 annually