New Funding Programs

NACCE has joined forces with The Coleman Foundation and Sam's Club to present three exciting funding programs for community colleges. We welcome community college leaders to submit an application for these programs as an opportunity to showcase their strengths in entrepreneurship education.

NACCE Fellows Program

NACCE has partnered with The Coleman Foundation to launch the NACCE Fellows Program.

The NACCE Fellows Program is an opportunity for NACCE members – including community college faculty, staff, administrators, and leadership – to contribute directly to applied research in entrepreneurship education and to improve NACCE's educational offerings to members. We are extending the application deadline for our Community Outreach and Entrepreneurial Leadership NACCE Fellow Applications to Friday, December 14th. We have also moved the mandatory orientation session for these two areas of focus to the second week in January. These fellowships are considered part-time, and most obligations can be fulfilled remotely.

Three areas of Fellowship are being offered:

• Entrepreneurial Leadership
• Curriculum and Training (Application period is closed for this area)
• Community Outreach

Fellows will be responsible for conducting research, planning and executing events and publishing findings through NACCE media. If accepted as a NACCE Fellow, an individual will be required to attend Fellows Orientation at NACCE Headquarters in Springfield, MA, four regional summits and the NACCE Annual Conference.

Travel expenses for these events will be covered by NACCE. Fellowship appointments are effective January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013 and a monthly stipend will be provided.

Summit Series Competition for 2013

The Coleman Foundation, Sam's Club and NACCE present the Summit Series Competition for 2013.

The NACCE Summit Series Competition provides the opportunity for individual community colleges or consortia of community colleges to host a high-impact, regional one-day event. This event will include a meet-up for college presidents and a day of learning, sharing and networking for community college faculty and staff based on a challenge or issue in entrepreneurship education that is unique to that region, area or community.

NACCE will provide support to host colleges by providing:

• The overall structure of the event
• Speakers for NACCE-led sessions
• Online registration for the event
• Free registration for 10 attendees designated by the host college
• Content for the presidential meet-up
• Funding for planning time, materials, local marketing, and food

• Content and speakers for "regional”-designated sessions
• Event space and a/v equipment
• Local marketing
• Lead person to liaison with NACCE in the planning, marketing, and execution of the event
• A guarantee of at least 60 participants (50 paid @ $179/NACCE members or $279/non-NACCE members, 10 free for attendees designated by the host college)

NACCE-Sam's Club Shared Vision for Small Business Competition

NACCE and Sam's Club have teamed up to assist community colleges in their critical role of educating future entrepreneurs in the classroom and supporting small business owners in the community.

Together, our two organizations represent two essential components of a successful small business owner: a solid educational foundation with continued business support. NACCE believes that this combination of education and continued support is critical to the long-term success of small businesses.

Additionally, we have seen that:

1. Individuals are hesitant to start their own business
2. Established small business owners are lacking clarity on what resources are needed for operational survival.

It is NACCE's belief that there is a lack of awareness on how to access affordable business training and support that has led to these two problems.

Considering that community colleges are accessible, entrepreneurial in nature, and nimble enough to change with industry trends, they are a fertile ground for continuing education for small business owners.

For this reason, Sam's Club has generously provided $40,000 to fund the NACCE-Sam's Club Shared Vision for Small Business Competition, in which funds will be awarded to community colleges demonstrating excellence in supporting small businesses. Click here to view the Shared Vision Blog site!