TODAY'S STUDENTS. TAMPA BAY'S FUTURE.
Imagine the Possibilities.
WHO ARE WE?
We are the HCC Foundation.
At the heart of your community is a college that provides greater access to education, training and successful careers. It’s a place that empowers individuals and helps power the economy. At the HCC Foundation, we support Hillsborough Community College (HCC) in its mission to deliver affordable education that helps students reach success.
In 2019, we continue to celebrate the 50th anniversary of HCC. Over the college’s fifty years, we have become a powerhouse of economic impact, a beloved community treasure, and a life-changing educational institution. Click here to see how the Tampa Bay Times summed up the impact of HCC and our anniversary kickoff event.
We invite the entire Tampa Bay area to join us to celebrate and support our students by becoming a part of HCC Rising: Together We Lift Our Community, the Foundation’s funding campaign in honor of the college’s five decades of innovation and inspiration. Click here for more information about HCC Rising or contact us now to learn more.
Patel Family Makes Million Dollar Commitment to HCC
We Build a Stronger Community
HCC is positioned better than virtually any other organization to dramatically impact the economic and social viability of our community. Nearly one-third of high school graduates in Hillsborough County—the nation’s eighth largest school district—enroll in our programs each year.
$1.3B HCC’s annual economic impact
ECONOMY
84% HCC graduates who stay in the community
COMMUNITY
45K Students HCC serves each year
INDIVIDUAL
Changing Lives
Khumari Barakzai
TAMPA BAY - The Tampa Bay Lightning honored Khumari Barakzai as the second Lightning Community Hero of Tomorrow this season during the first period of tonight's game versus the Pittsburgh Penguins. Barakzai, who received a $50,000 donation from the Lightning Foundation and the Lightning Community Heroes program, will donate half the money to Hillsborough Community College, while the other half will go to a scholarship for her future education. Growing... Learn More
Changing Lives
Shahrzad and Shawn Zamani
Born in Iran, Shahrzad and Shawn Zamani moved with their family to the U.S. in 2012. Soon this dynamic brother-sister duo enrolled at HCC, where they became active, successful students who each made their marks in unique ways. A member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and the American Medical Student Association, Shahrzad earned the great honor of serving as the 2016 Commencement speaker.... Learn More
Changing Lives
Damon Arnold
In April 2014 HCC student Damon was sleeping—and studying—in his car. After leaving his job to pursue a college degree full-time, Damon eventually lost everything and was homeless for five months. Determined to graduate, he found inspiration from a faculty member who believed in him. "She saw something in me that I didn't see in myself," said Damon. "I learned that, to make it, I had to just keep working... Learn More
Changing Lives
Janet Cruz
Born in Ybor City and raised near West Tampa, Representative Janet Cruz became a mother at the age of 16. Undeterred by her circumstances, she returned to graduate from high school when her daughter was just months old. Soon Cruz enrolled at HCC, where she successfully completed the opticianry program in preparation to support her family. With help from family and friends, she built a successful franchise opticianry business. Later... Learn More
Changing Lives
Emmanuel Smith
When Emmanuel moved to the U.S. from Greece with his family, he wasn't sure if college was right for him. But the moment he attended a class at HCC, Emmanuel's outlook on higher education changed. "Compared to colleges in Europe, HCC offered opportunities to explore different disciplines through electives," said Emmanuel. "I fell in love with biology and decided to make a career of it." After earning an associate degree at... Learn More