Wake Tech Community College Foundation

Serving tens of thousands of students each year, Wake Technical Community College plays a major role in preparing the region’s workforce. Supporting that effort is the Wake Tech Foundation, which raises funds for scholarships, faculty support, and programs that help students gain the skills they need to succeed. 

“The Wake Tech Foundation is the private 501(c)(3) that was established to benefit Wake Tech Community College,” says Matt Smith, vice president of development and strategic partnerships. “We support the strategic priorities of the college, and that can look different from year to year depending on the needs of our community.” 

Wake Tech is North Carolina’s largest community college or university, with some 74,000 students and generating more than $1 billion in annual economic impact. “Our president likes to say that Wake County runs on Wake Tech,” Matt says, “and I truly believe it.” 

The Wake Tech Community College Foundation supports students with scholarships so they can pursue their career goals.  

Wake Tech has more than 74,000 students, making it the largest community college in North Carolina.  

The Foundation, created in 1991, raises money from individuals, corporations, planned gifts, and gifts-in-kind. The growth has been significant. “When I got here ten years ago, we were raising $3.4 million a year,” Matt says. “Last year, we raised $8.7 million. This year, I project well over $10 million. This is a direct result of the community recognizing our value and supporting our efforts.” 

About 65% of donations come from corporations and foundations, a rarity in higher education. The reason is simple, according to Matt, “We provide business and industry with a pipeline of employees. That’s where we add the most value.” 

Wake Tech’s students are diverse in age, background, and goals. More than 5,500 high school students take dual-enrollment classes. Another 30,000 students are pursuing associate degrees. And more than 40,000 students are seeking certificates or diplomas to help them advance in their careers. “Over a quarter of our students already have a four-year degree,” Matt adds. “They’re coming back here to become more marketable or get a better job.” 

Students range from top-performing high schoolers to military veterans to adults looking for new opportunities. “I see people pushing baby strollers, people with canes, people from 120 different countries,” Matt says. “It’s a wonderfully diverse student body.” 

The Foundation focuses its resources on student support, faculty needs, and equipment. Each year it provides about $3 million in scholarships, emergency aid and other student support, plus $1.5 million for equipment and academic needs.  

A major partner in this work is TowneBank, which holds the Foundation’s banking, money market accounts, and credit cards, and was recently reselected after a full RFP process. “TowneBank has been a great partner for us,” Matt says. “They probably have the most amazing customer service we’ve ever experienced at a corporate level.  They really understand the needs of a nonprofit.” Carol Holland, senior vice president and private banker, serves as Wake Tech’s banker. 

Collaboration among students is a key benefit of an education at Wake Tech.

Matt Smith (center) serves as vice president of development and strategic partnerships and appreciates the wide diversity of students at Wake Tech Community College. 

TowneBank also supports student success through sponsored scholarships in business and finance and funding for community programs. “They’ve always been there when we call and say we need something,” Matt says. “They care about a strong community, and that starts with an educated population.” 

Wake Tech’s mission is rooted in economic mobility, helping neighbors improve their lives. “We’re the only place in higher education focused solely on Wake County,” Matt says, “Dollars donated here go far. A gift can make a major impact because our costs are so low.”  

He also credits the leadership of President Scott Ralls. “He is the nation’s finest community college president. He has inspired and unified us. Everyone here is focused on the mission. They are crushing it.” 

Looking ahead, Matt is excited about the rise of technical education, from skilled trades to biotech, robotics, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. “Technical education is cool again. These degrees lead to incredible jobs, and that’s what I want for people.” 

For more information, visit WakeTech.edu/Wake-Tech-Foundation