When it comes to supporting Western Nebraska Community College students, faculty, programs and facilities there are few organizations that can boast the success of the college’s Foundation.

The Western Nebraska Community College Foundation was established in 1971. It’s mission was to assist students in achieving their educational goals through financial support with scholarships. It has since expanded to include support to the teachers, student programs, capital programs and more. Basically if the college has a need at any of its campuses, the foundation works to fill it.

“We are the philanthropic arm of the college,” said Executive Director Dayle Wallien.

The Foundation is headed by a volunteer board. The current president is Howard P. Olsen Jr.

Wallien  handles the day-to-day operation of the Foundation. Joining her is Foundation Specialist Paulette Yarnall. Together they are the face of the organization.

We go out and shake hands and meet with people face-to-face, Wallien said. Through these meetings they are able to raise awareness of the Foundation and also to accept and solicit donations.

Donations can be designated for a specific project or scholarship fund or they can be used in general for the college.

Wallien said that funds have been designated to purchase equipment, scholarships and more.

Aside from straight solicitations, the Foundation also raises money through a few different fund raisers.

An ongoing one, called the Annual Campaign, is an effort to raise undesignated funds to be used for the college at the Foundation’s discretion. An example of undesignated fund usage includes the purchasing of calculators for the math department, assisting a teacher with travel costs with her foreign language class, furniture purchase in the computer lab, furnishings in student services, and assistance in the music program.

“Wherever there is a need the Foundation tries to fill it,” she said.

We have provided financial assistance to Theater West Summer Repertory so college students can participate, she said.

The Foundation also provided matching funds for the sound system and score board in Cougar Palace, she said.

A new fund raiser for the Foundation is the first annual 5k/10k race on Oct. 23.

The race is to help raise awareness of the Foundation and also to raise funds, Wallien said.

The Foundation also does a letter campaign that has yielded great results.

The Western Nebraska Community College community has been very supportive of the Foundation, she said.

“Although the Foundation is the arm, it is the WNCC community that gives,” Wallien said,” We are very appreciative of that.”

As for upcoming support, Wallien said the college will be looking to the Foundation for equipment needs for both the Aviation Program in Sidney and the CDL training program being implemented there. And there is always the scholarships.

“We are always looking to increase our endowment and help students,” Wallien said.

Last year the Foundation donated approximately $320,000 in scholarships. Wallien said the Foundation board does not decide who gets the scholarships. Instead, the Financial Aide department at the college is notified of the amount. It is then up to the Financial Aid Department to disseminate those funds.