From the Nominator

"The Monroe Community College (MCC) Foundation's Gold Star Gala is an annual dinner and auction that brings together the foundation’s closest sponsors and donors to help raise necessary funds for MCC students. The event was scheduled for Saturday, April 24, 2021. However, due to pandemic restrictions, the foundation reimagined how to execute its largest fundraiser virtually.  

Each year, the gala embodies an imaginative theme. 2021 was no exception as we invited guests to hearken back to a time when travel was the height of luxury. “The Great Circumnavigation” was a can’t-miss, race-around-the-world virtual soiree that celebrated the culture and cuisine of every guest’s exotic checkpoint. Bronze-level benefactors and higher also were invited to enjoy an in-home dinner on the night of the broadcast prepared, delivered, and served by a local farm-to-table caterer.   

The televised program, on the local ABC affiliate, featured community supporters, MCC programs, auction highlights, and stories about outstanding MCC students. Through negotiations with the station, the foundation secured one paid hour to broadcast its annual gala, but it also received three additional one-hour time slots with 13WHAM’s sister stations, WUHF Fox Rochester and CW WHAM, to re-air the gala in May 2021. This created additional opportunities for the foundation to further promote its mission and reach a wider audience than ever before.  

The Gala raised $225,000 (net of expenses) to support student scholarships and program innovation at MCC."

From the Judges

Monroe Community College thoroughly understands their connection to the community and successfully integrated it into their fundraiser. The partnership with the local television stations to promote and broadcast the event made the event accessible to everyone in the community—just as a community college should be! The theme and supporting materials are highly creative, and again, reflect the core values of the organization.