Press Releases 2006

CONTACT: Mary Planding
Director, Marketing & Communications
(831) 479-5744
mary.planding [at] cabrillo.edu

October 10, 2006

Cabrillo College Foundation
Executive Director Receives State Award

APTOS, CA—The Network of California Community College Foundations presented Melinda Silverstein, Executive Director of Cabrillo College Foundation (CCF), with its prestigious Eagle Award at its annual conference held in Palm Springs.

The Eagle Award is given to the community college foundation executive director who has performed in a consistently exemplary manner, has achieved a significant level of success in leading the foundation and is held in high esteem by his or her colleagues.

“This is the highest honor an Executive Director can receive. The Cabrillo College Foundation is widely recognized as one of the best in California and the nation, and this is due in no small part to Melinda’s outstanding leadership. We are fortunate to have her at Cabrillo and are poised for a truly outstanding year of fundraising in 2006-2007,” declared Brian King, Cabrillo College President and Superintendent.

During the past eight years, Silverstein has led the CCF to be in the top 3 foundations in the U.S. for a community college in the total amount of donations received from student donors. Under Silverstein’s leadership, nearly 5,000 donors contribute to CCF, which now has an endowment just shy of $10,000,000 and total net assets over $12,000,000.

“The Cabrillo College Foundation has seen a remarkable increase in the endowment, more than doubling in the last 8 years. The near $10,000,000 endowment now ranks 4 th in the state of California,” stated Frank Minuti, the foundation’s Chief Financial Officer.

The Foundation is also first in the U.S. for a community college in the number of donations it receives from parents of students. The Foundation has consistently raised $2,000,000 each year in private gifts.

CCF raises funds to support Cabrillo College programs which include scholarships such as the Cabrillo Advancement Program (CAP), instructional programs, faculty grants, and endowments. Last year, the Foundation awarded over $2,000,000, placing CCF among the top ten community colleges in the United States.

The Cabrillo Foundation is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization and all contributions to the Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. For further information on making a donation to the Cabrillo College Foundation, go to: www.cabrillo.edu/associations/foundation or contact Melinda Silverstein at 831-479-6338.