As 2024 comes to a close, we at Pima Foundation are taking a moment to reflect on an incredible year filled with generosity, collaboration, and growth. This year, we celebrated impactful partnerships, launched exciting initiatives, and deepened our connection with the Tucson community through memorable events. Together, we’ve built a strong foundation for an even brighter future with transformative check presentations to dynamic events and meaningful new projects. So, let’s dive into some of the highlights that defined this remarkable year.
Transformative Funding: Fueling Our Mission
Thanks to the unwavering support of our community partners, Pima Foundation was able to make significant strides in funding educational opportunities and programs. With over $3 million dollars in donation this year, some of the highlights include:
- Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce Foundation: $110,000
- AZ Complete Health: $500,000
- Rotary Club of Tucson (2023 Car Show): $80,710
- TSRA: $25,000
- Rockin’ 4 Heroes: $13,000
Each of these contributions represents a commitment to transforming lives through education. While these large contributions make a huge difference, we cannot forget the those who participate through payroll deduction, purchase tickets to the Fashion Design Department’s Annal Runway Show, participate in a golf tournament, or the many other events that happened throughout the year.
Engaging Events: Building Connections
This year was filled with opportunities to connect with our community through events that brought people together for a common cause such as,
- Tucson Classics Car Show: A collaboration with the Rotary Club that highlighted the power of community engagement.
- IME Becas Scholarship Celebration: Recognizing the life-changing impact of education for students of Mexican origin.
- BCT Renovation Celebration: Showcasing the revitalization of Pima Community College’s Building and Construction Technologies program.
- El Tour de Tucson: Our first foray into this iconic Tucson event, where our team worked tirelessly to make a strong debut.
These events are more than just gatherings—they’re milestones that underscore the importance of partnerships and community involvement in achieving our mission.
Exploring Through Tours
Connecting donors and stakeholders with the transformative work happening at Pima Community College is always a priority. This year, we hosted insightful tours of programs like Aviation, Automotive & Advanced Manufacturing, and Health Professions, as well as a special visit to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. These tours showcased how education at Pima Community College is preparing students for the future, while inspiring further investment in our shared mission.
New Beginnings: Projects, Leadership, and Growth
2024 marked the launch of two new initiatives that reflect our dedication to storytelling and community engagement:
- Pima Voices Podcast: Highlighting the stories of students, faculty, alumni, and community partners who make Pima special.
- Foundation Stories Blog: Offering an in-depth look at the people, programs, and partnerships shaping Pima Community College.
Both projects have provided a fresh way to connect with our audience, share our journey, and celebrate the people behind our success.
This year also brought a significant leadership transition. As we bid farewell to Chancellor Lee Lambert and thank Provost Dolores Duran Cerda for her role as interim Chancellor, we welcomed Dr. Jeffrey Nasse as Pima Community College’s new Chancellor. His vision and energy have already sparked excitement, and we look forward to his leadership as we continue to grow.
At Pima Foundation we welcomed both Cassondra Forste and Teresa Diaz to our ever-growing and evolving team. As our team continues to grow, it enables us to continue to do what we do more effectively and efficiently.
Looking Ahead
As we wrap up the year, it’s impossible not to feel immense gratitude for everything we’ve accomplished together. From the generosity of our donors to the dedication of our team and the enthusiasm of our community, 2024 has been a year of incredible milestones.
Looking ahead, we are eager to build on this momentum in 2025. With new initiatives, strengthened partnerships, and a renewed commitment to our mission, the future is bright for Pima Foundation and Pima Community College.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey this year. We invite you to continue walking with us as we create new opportunities, embrace challenges, and celebrate the power of education to transform lives. See you next year!
