While establishing a college in this region has long been the interest of several community leaders, elected officials, and certainly of residents, The Harvest Foundation’s vision and financial support was the impetus to making that dream a reality.  The board and staff provided leadership, support, and encouragement at all levels in the effort to energize and educate the Martinsville-Henry County community.  This bold and inventive response to a declining community has paved the way to make quality higher education a priority and a way of life for residents.

The continued funding and support provided by the Foundation assists in several ways.  Earning a bachelor’s degree has been made possible for nearly 100 local residents who are attending New College Institute because of Student Access Grants given out by the New College Foundation.  The students have expressed how grateful they are to receive this financial aid.

NCI also uses Harvest Foundation funding to assist in developing relationships and contracts with partner institutions in order to enhance the current academic offerings.  Without this option, current state funding levels would not be sufficient for NCI to pursue the number and quality of degree programs it does.

Just as it was there at NCI’s beginning, the hope is to maintain a positive, productive relationship between The Harvest Foundation and New College Institute as the college grows and develops.  NCI is truly “fostered by the spirit of the people” in Martinsville- Henry County, and is dedicated to work with The Harvest Foundation in enhancing opportunities and quality of life for all its citizens.