The Foundation for New Hampshire Community Colleges announced today that Anna Grace and Paul Holloway have made a $1 million gift to establish an endowed scholarship for students enrolled at any of the state’s seven community colleges.
“The opportunities that will shape New Hampshire’s future are complex and uncertain, but it is clear that the wellbeing of our citizens and the vitality of our communities will depend on engaging individuals so they can fully and successfully contribute,” said Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) Chancellor Mark Rubinstein. “The Holloways’ gift recognizes the important role that CCSNH will continue to serve in nurturing that talent and in building bridges for New Hampshire’s future. We genuinely appreciate the Holloways’ vision and are so grateful for their support.”
The seven campuses of CCSNH enroll approximately 21,000 students annually. The Holloway’s gift is the largest private donation in the history of CCSNH.
“Our goal in making this gift is to inspire and support men and women across New Hampshire seeking affordable, flexible education and connecting them to local careers. We recognized that working through the Foundation was the best way we could accomplish this,” said Paul Holloway. “It’s not about us; it’s about the students and the future of New Hampshire.”
The gift is the culmination of a long philanthropic relationship between the Holloways and CCSNH. Paul Holloway has served on the CCSNH Board of Trustees for over two decades, including a variety of leadership roles and has worked tirelessly to deepen relationships across the NH business community. The Holloway Family Scholarship Fund will support students with financial need attending any of the seven community colleges and help provide them an entry point into higher education and enhanced opportunities.
“Scholarship support from the Foundation has allowed me to further my education at Great Bay Community College and lessened the financial burden on me and my family. Without it, I am not sure I would have been able to stay in school,” said Katie Cilley, GBCC Nursing Student.
A secondary goal of the Holloway’s gift is to inspire others to support New Hampshire’s community colleges and their students.
“I ask others to join us in giving to the Community College System and supporting its students,” said Holloway. “Community college graduates are on the front lines of healthcare, staffing our police and fire departments and helping all of us live better lives. Making their education more affordable is the least we can do to support and encourage them.”
As the philanthropic arm of CCSNH, The Foundation works with donors throughout New Hampshire and beyond to create access to a high-quality education for its students.
“We are fortunate to have Paul and Anna Grace on the home team. Their philanthropic commitment to organizations, large and small, is well known across New Hampshire. This gift is a big vote of confidence in The Foundation for New Hampshire’s Community Colleges and our ability to positively impact students’ lives,” said Tim Allison, Executive Director of The Foundation for NH Community Colleges.
For more information on supporting New Hampshire’s community colleges, please contact Tim Allison at tallison@ccsnh.edu.